Need help on DVD..

[ettan]

Hi,

I intend to purchase either a DVD ROM or a DVD player, but I am not really clear on how a DVD actually works.

Appreciate advices on the following:

I understand that there are region 1, 2, 3 and so on for DVD. Does any DVD ROM play all region of DVD?

Are there DVD players who can play all the region DVD too?

When buying a DVD ROM or DVD player, what are the things that I need to know and ask before buying?

Thanks a lot for any help given.

[The_ePi]

you should have at least one that has component video outputs, coaxial output (for audio), mp3 play back, cd-r cd-rw compatible, vcd/svcd compatible and "progresive scan"
then you should not worry about anything else, i guess, xcept if u want to experiment with dvd+r/dvd+rw.
you can read about all those stuff i mentioned here in this website, ok?
hope that helps a little!

[ettan]

Hi The_epi,

thanks for the advice. Can u also advice me on the following:

Can any DVD ROM play any region (1,2,3 etc) of DVD? Or only specific DVR ROM? Can any DVD Player play any region of DVD? Thanks.

[Khizhiy]

> Does any DVD ROM play all region of DVD?

No, it does not. Most new DVD-ROM drives are set to one particular region. Actually, you can set your region yourself, but only 5 times. But you can rip almost all DVD's with software rippers and then watch movies of any region on a PC.

> Are there DVD players who can play all the region DVD too?

Yes, there are. You need to search.

> When buying a DVD ROM or DVD player, what are the things > that I need to know and ask before buying?

I guess you need to know your needs. What are you going to watch? What quality you demand?

[ettan]

Hi Khizhiy,

Thanks for ur advise. Can u further advice me, like:

what do u mean by i can set my region only 5 times?

what do u mean by rip all DVD's with software rippers? What are the software rippers?

I intend to view Hollywood movies on DVD? In regards to quality, isn't all DVD the same? Isn't DVD suppose to have better quality than VCD?

Thanks in advance.

[ettan]

HELP please.....

[Khizhiy]

| what do u mean by i can set my region only 5 times?

I mean, when you configure the software drivers for your DVD-ROM, you must specify the Region you are in. Then you can watch movies only from that region on your PC. If you decide you need to switch to another region, you can reconfigure your DVD drive four more times. That's how things are.

| what do u mean by rip all DVD's with software rippers?

I mean that there are programs that can read DVD videos of almost any region even from a region specific DVD drive. You can find them and more information in the Internet (http://www.ddigest.com). But remember, that this way you will break the copyright by copying your DVD to your PC's hard drive.

If you intend simply to watch Hollywood movies with the quality much better then VCD or VHS, then buy a DVD player. Now that I have both a PC and a Pioneer DV-444, I can tell that a standalone DVD-player is better for your needs. Of course, it is better to have a multiregional one.

[vitualis]

ettan,

Try searching for "DVD FAQ" with Google (http://www.google.com ).

Regards.

[ettan]

Hi Khizhiy,

Thanks for the advice.

I bought the Pioneer DVD-233 today and it looks good. Have also bought a Code 1 DVD movie and it is playable in my new DVD player...

[ettan]

I need help again..

I recently bought a DVD, and found out that there is a short 'pause' on the 73 minutes of the movie. I have replay a few times and found out that the short 'pause' is always at the same scene, same spot of the movie.

Is this normal on a DVD? Or it is simply because of the slight problem in the DVD? Please help..

Thanks in advance.

[ettan]

Someone please help... I am really a beginner in DVD.

Is the short 'pause' (around 1 second) normal on any DVD, while the DVD is being played? Or it is simply because of the slight problem in the DVD itself?

[ettan]

Someone please advise me..... PLEASE!

[disturbed1]

It's normal for some DVD players while playing Dual Layer DVDs.

It takes a second or 2 for the laser to re-adjust.

Pioneer has a FAQ, and trouble shooting tips both in it's manual and website.

This is even stated on the back of dual layer DVDs.

[ettan]

Hi,

Thanks for the hint!

So, do u mean that the problem lies with the DVD player, rather than the DVD itself? But, how come the short 1 second 'pause' always on the same scene/spot of the movie? I notice that when the movie reach the 'pause' scene, my DVD player will try to do a quick searching and resume playing within 1 second.

Please advise, thanks.

[baynguyen]

Movie file are stored in DVD in VOB format. One 2-hr-movie can consists of 3 or 4 or more VOB files. The pause you encounter is mostly when it finish one VOB and search for the next VOB
So it happends at the exact place in the movie where on VOB ends and other VOB starts.

About Region setting then dont worry, you watch USA DVD from your DVD PLayer at home.There is no problem unless you have foreign DVD that comes from other country.

[ettan]

Thanks for the hint again, I have really learn a lot on DVD from this forum.

But, what is actually the VOB format? What does VOB stands for? Is there a way to avoid the short 'pause'?

Thanks.

[ettan]

Please advise what is the VOB format and what does it stands for? Is there a way to avoid the short 'pause'?

Please help, thanks!

[ettan]

What is the VOB format and what does it stands for? Is there a way to avoid the short 'pause'?

Please help, PLEASE.. thanks!

[ettan]

Please HELP... I really want to know what is the VOB format. Can someone please help..., thanks!

[Khizhiy]

Hi ettan!

You actiully don't want to know what a VOB file exactly is. Conider it to be an MPEG-2 video stream multiplexed with several audio channels (different languages), and up to 32 subtitles. The feature movie consists of several such VOB files because there is a limit on the lenght of a VOB file. These files are nothing different but ordinary computer files. When one file ends, a DVD player starts another file, and does it seamlessly if both files are on the same layer. If your DVD is a dual-layer media, then there is a point in the movie when it is necessary to switch layers and readjust the laser. This takes the second when you hear the player searching. As I understand from the previous posts, it is normal. I also assume that the director of the DVD-mastering must choose a safe moment in the movie when the 1 second pause is not very notisable. Is it so with your DVD, ettan?

[ettan]

Hi Khizhiy,

Thanks a lot for your advise. Yeah... the 1 second 'pause' in the DVD, though the short 'pause' is obvious, is actually at a 'bomb explosion' scene, not during a 'conversation' scene.

I actually had gone back to the DVD shop where I purchase the DVD. According to the DVD shop, there could be a problem with the DVD. As such, the DVD shop change another new same title DVD for me. But still, the new DVD has the same problem, a short 'pause' at the same scene as the previous DVD.

The DVD I am referring to is 'Rush Hour 2'. Does you or anyone out there have Rush Hour 2 DVD and face the same problem?

I intend to purchase a DVD ROM so that I can view DVD movie on my PC too. Is WinDVD better or PowerDVD?, for viewing all/any region code DVD? Besides having a DVD ROM and WinDVD or PowerDVD, what else do I need to view DVD on PC. Please kindly advice, thanks.

Regards!

[ettan]

Hi all,

Please advise whether WinDVD or PowerDVD is better for viewing DVD movies on PC? Which software offer better quality, more function, more reliable and more user-friendly? I am currently using PowerDVD.

Please share your thoughts, thanks.