DVDs: Choosing Discs

The goal for DVD reliability and compatibility is clear. " Queer As Folk DVD Consumers should expect the same level of compatibility as they get with recordable VHS tapes, i.e. 100%," says Subutai Ahmad, of OSTA and YesVideo. "There is no technical reason why this cannot be achieved."The DVD industry works through associations such as the DVD Forum and the DVD+RW Alliance (to establish operating parameters and provide verification labs for media manufacturers. Queer As Folk DVD For example, Kerwyn Ballinger of Hewlett-Packard, speaking for the DVD+RW Alliance, says "the alliance members work with disc manufactures to ensure media production meets or exceeds specifications. Strict operating parameters and standards must be met prior to a media manufacture being allowed to use the DVD+R/RW license/logo and considered a qualified manufacture of media."Yet both consumer experience and the testing results reported at the DVD 2003 Conference show that the DVD industry is still maturing, and that there is, in fact, significant variability in the quality of discs from different manufacturers. Queer As Folk DVD"This is a really important issue for YesVideo," says Ahmad. "We put our media through a rigorous test process. We have sourced and tested media from over 10 sources. Before we purchase, we visit the company's manufacturing facilities, verify their QA process, do in-house proprietary physical testing, and compatibility testing with a large set of DVD players.Queer As Folk DVD boxset We also sample discs from every batch shipped to us and return the batch if the discs don't meet our standards."As a result, for the best chance of good reliability and compatibility, it's best to stick with name-brand products from reputable manufacturers. While consumers seem to understand the risk of using cheaper and possibly off-brand media from gray-market resellers, the allure of a bargain can be very tempting. Warns Andy Parsons of Pioneer, "Don't succumb to the temptation to save a few dollars by buying very cheap product from an unknown supplier. The old adage "you get what you pay for" is true with most any product, and recordable DVD is no exception." Queer As Folk DVD boxset And once you buy your discs, treat them with a little care, as described in the NIST Guide.Queer As Folk DVD boxset Avoiding extremes in temperature and humidity, as well as exposure to direct sunlight. Store discs upright to avoid bending, and take care in removing them from carriers to avoid scratches and fingerprints. Clean them carefully, by wiping with a clean cotton fabric in a straight line from the center of the disc toward the outer edge (not with a circular motion).With continued pressure from educated consumers, and independent testing from the likes of LaBarge and NIST, we should be able to expect that DVDs Queer As Folk DVD set can achieve the reliability and compatibility we have come to expect from CD discs.

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