SECTION MEETING REPORT

Meeting Date:

October 14, 1997

Attendance:

46

Location:

WJBK-TV

Southfield, Michigan

Speaker:

Mark Anzicek

ZenTechnologies, Inc.

Subject:

Digital Versatile Disks: An Overview

Mr. Anzicek began his presentation with a discussion of the mechanical aspects of compact discs of all formats. He explained the manufacturing process, dimensional tolerances, and the use of various wavelengths of laser light as a part of the design criteria for a given format. DVDs use a shorter wavelength laser than audio compact discs, so the pits that carry the data can be packed much closer together on the disc, producing a higher data capacity. Using props, he demonstrated the method by which layers are sandwiched together to produce a finished disc of various types, including multilayer and two-sided discs.

A discussion of the manufacture and marketing of DVD followed. Mark included information on the issue of compatibility with other digital disc formats, copy protection schemes, initial production and sales figures and a profile of who is buying the players and software.

While playing a disc of a motion picture on a consumer player, Mr. Anzicek described the compromises in picture quality resulting from the extreme compression ratios necessary with DVD. The data rate can vary, he said, from a nominal 3.5 megabits per second up to 8.9 megabits per second to accomodate greater detail in the picture, but as the rate goes higher, the running time gets shorter because the total data that can go on the disk remains constant. Even though DVD is a worldwide format, the technical universality has been compromised by the restrictions imposed by content providers. Mark covered the various combinations of video format and regions.

Mastering issues were discussed, including the importance of using the best source material available, such as the original film, to cut down on undesired artifacts, provide a clean transfer, and minimize the bit rate.

Mark concluded his presentation by touching on audio issues, DIVX and its ramifications on the DVD market, Data VHS, and the as-yet unnamed single-layer recordable format under development.

Questions from the audience followed.

Submitted by:

Frank Maynard, WKBD-TV
Secretary/Treasurer, SMPTE Detroit Section
248-355-7129
maynard@oeonline.com