Dvds Picture And Sound Quality example essay topic

Comparison Paper Ever since the first motion picture was introduced, the world has grown a humongous appetite for more movies. Through technology, humans have made incredible advancements in the motion picture field. Today, there are only two standards when it comes to recording and replaying a motion picture for the common person: Digital Video Disc (DVD) and Video Cassette Recorder (VCR). Each allows for easy access to both movies as well as the necessary players.

The two types of media have both subtle and obvious differences, ranging from picture quality to ease of use. The differences and similarities can bewilder a person with little knowledge of the two medias. Though it may not be number one for recording and can be more expensive, a DVDs picture and sound quality, bundled with the ease of care clearly confirm it's superiority over the earlier VCR. As trend tends to show, newer technologies can be and often are more expensive than older ideas. The traditional VCR can now be found for as little as five dollars at a yard sale. Most, if not all, DVD players can only be found in a new package at the local electronics store.

The cheapest model can usually be purchased for about 75 to 100 dollars. On the opposite side of the prices, the VCR can only be so expensive before it is more cost effective to buy a DVD player. This price limitation is usually at 150 to 200 dollars but top end models can exceed 300 dollars. DVD players go much higher in price than 300 dollars. Top models which hold 100 DVDs at a time can be in excess of 600 dollars. There are also personal DVD players which can be taken on the road for about 800 to 1000 dollars.

The only problem with DVD players is that most of them are just that; DVD players which cannot record. There are a few home audio recorders but they are all over the range of the common user, usually exceeding 1000 dollars. There are DVD recorders for the computer which cost, at minimum, 500 dollars for the cheapest model. Along with this is cost of a empty DVD on which to record the movie. These are equal, if not more, to the price of a movie on DVD bought in the store. This means recording a movie onto a blank DVD (for archival purposes only, of course) is not cost effective.

On the VCR, it can be quite cost effective. Blank cassettes are only a couple of dollars and can be found anywhere. As well, every VCR bought can usually record. What puts the DVD over the top in quality is the picture and the sound. The picture of a DVD produces 720 lines of resolution versus a VCR producing only 220. The DVDs picture is almost four times better than a VCR.

This is made possible because the picture is read in digital format from a DVD and in analog format from a VCR. This also makes the Dolby Digital sound possible on a DVD. Dolby Digital is one step above the previous Dolby Surround, adding one more independent channel to the home theatre. Of course, both of these are only available with capable sound systems to match the video. Maintenance, care, and storage are always important when it comes to making an investment.

Seeming to be of keen interest to the user, the storage capabilities of the DVD are incredible. A set of about 20 DVDs can fit in the physical space one video cassette takes up. The case of the DVD is much larger, taking about half of the video cassette. After time, a video cassette will begin to deteriorate. The tape in the cassette will begin to deteriorate over time, ruining the picture and sound of the movie. A DVD will not have any of these types of effects.

The only way a DVD can be damaged is by scratching the surface of it. Even then, the DVD can sometime read over the scratch if the scratch is not too deep. Because the whole DVD is much smaller, the whole surface is exposed and can be easily cleaned if it becomes dirty even if something is spilled on it. With a video cassette, there will be no such recovery from an accident. As technology come further and further along, humans will continue to be amused and amazed by advancements in the motion picture industry. The DVD player is clearly a superior in quality for only small difference in price.

The picture quality and sound are match for nothing. Despite the expense of recording, the DVD shows its dominance over the VCR with little criticism.