DVD Features

First of all, a DVD can hold much more video than a VCD, and that video will be of significantly higher quality. In addition, the DVD specification provides for many features not available on a VCD. These include more interesting menus (using video backgrounds instead of stills), more flexible navigation mechanisms, multiple audio tracks (which can be used for multiple language support as well as audio of varying quality - for example, Dolby^tm Digital 5.1), multiple titles on a single disc, multiple layers (which doubles the amount of storage available on the disc to 9.4 GB), subtitles, multi-angle video, and seamless integration of multiple videos.

While some of these features are not yet available in the home video transfer market (dual layer discs and Dolby^tm 5.1 audio, for example), most of them can be purchased, usually at additional cost. Generally, if you've seen it on a Hollywood DVD, you can get it on your home DVD if you've got the cash and the right DVD transfer company.

Note, however, that not all DVD transfer companies use tools that support these features, or have the expertise to implement them. Many companies use low-end tools that produce spotty and amateurish results. If you're thinking of ordering from a low-priced company that uses the free copy of 'MyDVD' that came with their DVD burner, just remember that you often get what you pay for.

More Details about DVD Features

	Video Menus - ever see a commercial DVD with video behind the menu? This feature is available on DVDs produced from home videos too
	Flexible Navigation - play the entire DVD from end to end, or choose to view a single chapter at a time. Viewing of certain chapters can be made mandatory (ever tried to skip the FBI warning at the beginning of a DVD?).
	Multiple audio tracks - add audio in several languages, and let the viewer select the language of his/her choice. Or supply a variety of audio options that take advantage of the viewer's high-end stereo equipment while still allowing viewers without these capabilities to watch your DVD.
	Multiple Titles - Have several tapes transferred to a single DVD, and keep their separate identities. Each one can play almost like an independent DVD, but stored on a single disc.
	Multi-angle video - great for bands; shoot video of your band from different angles, and let the user select the point of view they want to see.
	Seamless integration - allows multiple video segments to be captured (perhaps from different tapes) and placed on the DVD so they can be played with no gap between segments (like the gap, or delay, that occurs after selecting a chapter from a commercial DVD).

Click on the link below to read more about DVDs.

MPEG Encoding - How do they fit all that video on such a small disc?

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