| In addition, DVD features MPEG-2
compression, a standard capable of recording 2 hours and 13 minutes of video on just one
side and layer. This is enough for a full-motion feature film with three channels of
CD-quality quality audio and four channels of subtitles. The DVD drives will also be fully
backward compatible and will be able to play CD-ROMs as well as audio CDs. Like the difference in audio CD players and CD-ROM drives, the DVD-ROM is used for data storage as well as video displays. In early 1997, Fujitsu and other Japanese makers shipped the first DVD-ROM drives which were compatible with PCs. DVD-ROMs are also backward compatible with audio CD’s and CD-ROMs. With such large storage capacity, quality video, dropping prices, and compatibility, DVD-ROMs may be underway to replacing CD-ROMs. |