DIGITAL VERSATILE DISKS
When the PC revolution first started way back in way back in the 1980s, most of us would doubtless recall the times when we struggled with the 360KB, 5.25 inch floppy disks. What we did not expect was that the progress in these machines would be so rapid that in less than twenty years’ time we would now be able to handle the CD ROM, currently ruling the roost with an amazing 680MB of data storage space. But there’s more..!!The latest baby of the storage family is the DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). Definition: It is a disk that can hold about 4.7GB of data and is estimated to transfer data at a speed comparable to that of an 8X CD ROM drive.So! What else does it do?
For starters, let me just tell you that 1GB is about 1024MB. Thus 4.7GB is ..... A LOT!! It simply means that a DVD will allow you to view movies without changing disks and also provide high quality video clips to give that additional, much needed thrust to today’s multimedia. Plus, you can continue to play all your old audio and video CDs on this drive. And what`s more you already have it segregated into types. So we have the DVD ROMs, DVD VIDEO, DVD AUDIO, DVD for data storage; DVD-Write Once and DVD-E (Erasable).
Sounds great. Gimme more!!
The DVD-Video uses MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video quality and this is the major factor that will be responsible to provide video quality as good as that on a TV. Also you could stop blowing your pocket -money on Sterling or Eros because audio standards include DOLBY AC 35.1 surround system in addition to the MPEG. A DVD can store a hundred and thirty-three minutes of movie play. So watch out for ‘The Mask’ and ‘Golden Eye’. For the Hindi film buffs, wait for the double-sided DVD (9.4GB!!). By the way it is compatible both with PAL & NTSC (as if that needed any mention).So when these big boys step into the market, a sudden wave of ‘infotainment’ is going to explode. Games manufacturers & software giants will raise the graphic and sound quality to dizzy heights. Games are going to be bigger and better than ever before and encyclopedias & information will be provided on a single 5 inch platter. It promises to provide you the best in virtually everything and this by no means is any form of virtual reality. This one is absolutely for real.
I liked it!! But what are the damages?
Unfortunately the good things in life are never cheap. But they can certainly be less expensive. A much relieving discovery is that this mini creation will not burn my pockets. It is estimated to hit markets at US $500-$750 and ROM drives at $200 - $500. The guys who have thought of doing this good deed are none other than the ones at good old SONY whose disks are expected to hit markets by April `97 while Toshiba and Panasonic are selling DVD- A100 & A300 players at an estimated price of 98,000 yen.So, just sit back and watch ‘Casablanca’ roll on or enjoy pure, pristine delight of Eagles or Beatles crooning away to glory.... with that extra special.
Mayur Venkateshwaran
