1. What is DVD ? What does DVD stand for ?
DVD is the three-letter abbreviation of "Digital Video Disc" or sometimes also known as "Digital Versatile Disc". Basically, it is a new generation of optical disc storage technology introduced around 1997, similar to older CD technology. DVD technology is much larger in terms of storage capacity, and much faster in terms of data transfer rate and media access time. In a nutshell, DVD is much better than CD in the sense that it can hold longer hours of high-quality video, multi-channel audio at much higher sampling rate than the standard two-channel 44.1-kHz CD audio, and still have storage for additional still photographs, and computer data information.

DVD appeals to a wide general audience such as home entertainment, computer applications, and business information offered in a single digital format. DVD has virtually replaced the bulky laserdisc. It is on its way to replace the standard VHS video tapes, and possibly the video game cartridges as well. DVD is also getting its footprint into the computer archival market which has been traditionally dominated by the high-capacity digital tape media. DVD enjoys widespread support from all major electronics companies, from major computer hardware manufacturers, and from most if not all major Hollywood studios. With this unprecedented support, DVD has become the most successful consumer electronics product of all times in less than three years of its birth. In 2003, there were over 250 million DVD playback devices in more than 100 countries worldwide. This includes DVD players, DVD PCs, and DVD game machines.

The DVD standard supports application format for DVD-Video and DVD-Audio. DVD is commonly refered to the DVD-Video format by most consumers. DVD-Video is the format which defines how video, audio, and subtitle materials such as a full-featured motion picture is stored on a single disc and together with specialized instructions or commands to control its playback in a stand-alone DVD-Video player or a computer equipped with a DVD drive.

The following image contain trademark logos which indicate various standards and formats of DVD technology including DVD-Video and DVD-R/RW.