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17. Glossary / Key Word Index
17.1 What are DVDs, VCDs and
S-VCDs?
DVDs
DVD is the short form for "Digital Versatile Disc".
DVDs are a storage medium for audio and video
data; they are available in 8 cm and 12 cm (Diameter)
formats. Because of the much higher storage capa-
city as compared to CD-Rs/CD-RWs DVDs can pro-
vide a playback duration of up to eight hours for
the audio and video data stored on them.
VCDs/S-VCDs
"Video CD" (VCD) and "Super Video CD" (S-VCD)
are designations for two processes of compressed
storage, thus space saving, of films on CDs. VCDs
and S-VCDs are available in 8 cm and 12 cm (Dia-
meter) formats. Their storage capacity is a great
deal lower than that of DVDs. For this reason they
only offer a playback duration, for the saved audio
and video data on them, of 20 minutes (8 cm for-
mat) and/or 74 minutes (12 cm format).
VCDs are available in two versions:
•
With version 1.1 VCDs/S-VCDs only audio
and video data can be played back.
•
With version 2.0 VCDs/S-VCDs, PBC (Play-
back Control) functions are available. In addi-
tion still images can be played back in a hig-
her resolution.
Playback Control (PBC)
Version 2.0 VCDs/S-VCDs have Playback Control
(in short "PBC") at their disposal. Then on the
VCD/S-VCD a main menu is available, by which
various functions of the VCD/S-VCD are allowed
to be operated.
17.2 What are Title and Chapter?
Title is the name given to the largest units of image
and sound units on DVDs; on many DVDs the
(Main) film has the title number 01. For bonus mate-
rial (i.e. Film trailer, background information etc.),
that is available on many DVDs, other possible title
numbers can be used.
Chapter is the name given to the next smaller image
and sound units beneath title. If the DVD/VCD/
S-VCD or its title is divided into chapters, numbers
are assigned to you, through the input of which the
chapter can be selected direct.
Bear in mind that not on all DVDs ...
•
are the DVD or the title divided into (numbered)
chapters
•
Chapters are also designated as "Scenes"
(i.e. in the main menu of DVDs)
17.3 Dolby Surround
Dolby Surround is an analogue sound format, by
which the two channels of a stereo sound signal are
used in order to accommodate room sound informa-
tion for further channels. With a Dolby Surround de-
coder the signals are again converted into sound
and/or music and are fed to two additional loud-
speakers, which are to be situated behind the liste-
ning area.
Dolby Prologic
In comparison to Dolby Surround sound format,
with Dolby Prologic an additional channel in the
stereo signal is used; this is the so called "Centre"
channel. The corresponding centre loudspeaker
is to be situated in the middle between the stereo
loudspeakers. The deepest sounds are fed to a bass
loudspeaker, the so called "Subwoofer". The sub-
woofer can be placed in any desired location in
the room; the logic for this is that the bass sounds
that the subwoofer puts out can scarcely be locali-
zed exactely by the human ear
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