Yes, Dolby Digital audio is used on DVD-Video discs throughout the world (see question 9). A word of caution, though: while the audio and video technical standards are the same for DVD-Video worldwide, discs purchased in one part of the world may not play at all in another part of the world due to "regional coding.

Discs in countries such as the U.S. that use the NTSC broadcast TV standard must provide at least one soundtrack in either of two formats: Dolby Digital or PCM (the format used on CDs). In countries using the PAL TV standard, including much of Europe, the discs must include at least one soundtrack in any one of three formats: Dolby Digital, PCM, or MPEG. As a result of these requirements and the options they permit, not all discs have Dolby Digital soundtracks.

Many DVDs offer a choice of sound formats including Dolby Digital and DTS (Digital Theater Systems). The sound is encoded on the DVD so you will need a decoder to experience the full surround sound effect. However, all DVD players will deliver conventional stereo sound without a decoder. Once you have reviewed a movie we check that it is a reasonable length of review and suitable for displaying on the website. This may take a few days.

DD is a surround system using the digital audio compression technology. It is a six channel configuration and reproduces sound through a speaker system including front (L&R), rear (L&R), centre and sub-woofer speakers. Because the sub-woofer in the system is an auxiliary speaker, the system is called "5.1 channel system". In a Digital Versatile Disc, the surround audio data is recorded digitally in a bit-stream.

Dolby® Digital technology is an advanced form of digital audio coding that makes it possible to store and transmit high-quality digital sound far more efficiently than was previously possible. First used in movie theaters in 1992, Dolby Digital technology is the result of decades spent by Dolby Laboratories developing signal-processing systems that exploit the characteristics of human hearing.

Dolby Digital programs can deliver surround sound with up to five discrete full-range channels: Left, Center, Right, Left Surround, Right Surround-plus a sixth channel for powerful low-frequency effects. As it needs only about one-tenth the bandwidth of the others, the LFE channel is referred to as a ".1" channel (and sometimes erroneously as the "subwoofer" channel).

Dolby digital is a sound format featuring six-channel sound with separate left and right sounds and a low frequency-effects channel. Dolby digital is a standard when it comes to sound formats for DVDs, set-top boxes, etc.

Most DVD-Video players are capable of playing audio Compact Discs. Most DVD-ROM drives are capable of playing audio Compact Discs and CD-ROM discs. DVD stores data in a manner similar to CD's: microscopic data-storing pits are embedded in a disc during production and, when played, a laser beam reflects light from the surface, detecting pitted areas and converting the information to an electrical signal.

The technology behind 5.1-channel Dolby Digital provides two surround channels, instead of the one from Dolby Surround, for more precise localization of sounds and a more convincing, realistic ambience. Also, Dolby Digital's surround channels cover the entire audible range (20 Hz-20,000 Hz), whereas the range of Dolby Surround's single surround channel is limited (100 Hz-7,000 Hz). The increased range of Dolby Digital further heightens realism and gives sound mixers more creative freedom.

Under "My Computer", DVD disc capacity is reading as 1.99 GB using Windows ME or Windows 98, but if you "Select All" to calculate the total capacity within the DVD disc itself, then everything is fine.

Yes but currently XBMC's DVD-Video playback capabilities are very limited; not all DVDs play, nor are DVD-menu/navigation supported yet. (PS! We are working on full DVD-playback)

It offers 5.1 channels of audio (Left, Right, Centre, Back Left, Back Right) and a separate channel for the sub woofer. You will need a compatible amplifier to listen to Dolby Digital DVD's however it's benefits for atmosphere when set-up correctly over Dolby Pro Logic and standard stereo are very noticeable.

The DTS sound track on a DVD will be one of three sound tracks available on the disc. A DTS disc will have a stereo, Dolby Digital and DTS soundtrack to choose from. Most discs have an option menu, which allows you to make certain selections regarding audio, language, and other special features. Under the audio option menu, you will find the various selections for the type of sound track you wish to select.

Consumer grade DVD recorders all have the ability to play back all Dolby Digital and DTS source material, when used with an AV receiver. However, DVD recorders only have analog stereo audio inputs for recording audio, which is then encoded into two-channel Dolby Digital. The output of the recorded audio can be accessed either through the analog stereo outputs or the digital audio outputs of the DVD recorder. Although, DVD recorders cannot record in 5.

If you plan to connect the DVD player to a surround-sound receiver that is Dolby Digital ready, then a built-in decoder is necessary. If the receiver has a built-in decoder, the DVD player only needs to have the Dolby Digital passthrough.

Dolby Digital can be enjoyed via DVDs, DVD recordable and playback discs for computers, laser discs, digital cable systems, direct broadcast satellite (DBS) and direct-to-home (DTH) systems, and digital broadcast television (DTV/DVB). Sources are usually identified with the Dolby Digital logo.

No. Dolby Digital soundtracks can provide anything from mono to full 5.1-channel surround sound. DVDs of movies can even carry multiple versions of the soundtrack that differ in number of channels. A disc might contain a 5.1-channel sound mix with the dialogue in one language, a two-channel mix encoded in Dolby Surround in another language, and a mono track with the director's comments or other supplementary information.

All DVD-Audio releases from the Warner/Elektra/Atlantic family of labels are DVD Video-compatible because they contain a Dolby Digital surround sound mix.

Yes, if it is a "combination" player that is compatible with DVD-Video. Models with this capability will carry the DVD-Video or the DVD-Audio/Video logo.

Yes, with an MPEG-2 card installed in the PC and appropriate audio playback hardware (sound card & speakers), DVD-Video movies can be enjoyed on the PC.

Unlike videotapes, but just like current audio CD's, DVD Video discs do not deteriorate over time or wear out from excessive use. For families with children who watch their favourite movies over and over again, the durability of DVD Video will be most welcome. Likewise, music fans that enjoy repeated viewing of their favourite music videos or concert films will benefit from DVD Video's exceptional durability.

Many NOVA programs are available on video, but unfortunately not every program is available because rights cannot always be cleared for video sales. Some videos are exclusively for educational use while others may have only been cleared for home use. To find a listing of all available videos, DVDs, and other educational products, visit the NOVA section of "Shop WGBH." Or request a video catalog by e-mailing wgbhcat@resodirect.com.

While you won't get the same experience listening to Dolby Digital 5.1 audio on a Dolby Pro Logic system, you will notice a dramatic difference between listening in Dolby 5.1 and 2.0. Of course to take the fullest advantage of 5.1 you'd need a Dolby Digital receiver. Put simply, in order to fit all the information on one side of the DVD, the technology utilizes two layers of information. That delay is the laser reaching the end of layer 1 and finding layer 2.

In 1994, Toshiba united with Thomson Consumer Electronics, Pioneer, and a handful of Hollywood studios to define a new 12 cm diameter compact disc format for broadcast rate digital video. The new format basically increases the effective areal storage density over the 1982 Red Book format by some 6:1 (800 Mbytes vs 5 GBytes). This is achieved through a combination of shorter laser wavelength, finer track pitch, inter-pit pitch, and better optics.