What is a DVD Player?

By The Manolith Team on October 16th, 2008

A DVD player is designed to play discs that have been produced under DVD audio and DVD video technological standards. Most people use DVDs to read DVD discs in an ISO/UDF 1.2 format and to decrypt data with Macrovision or CSS. DVD players can also be used to decode MPEG –2 video streams that have a maximum of 10Mbits. DVD players are also used to output video signals using video, digital, or analogue connections. Most DVD players are also designed to allow users to play audio CDs and MP3s.

In order to work properly, most DVD players have to be connected to a TV set, but as technology has progressed, we have developed portable DVD players that both stand and work alone. These portable players have a built in LCD screen and allow users to take their media on the go. Portable DVD players are typically used for long trips and run on lithium ion batteries.

Retail prices for DVD players run from around 30 dollars up to as much as 500 dollars. Most consumers elect to purchase low or mid-priced DVD units which typically offer features like a standard DVD play option, but will likely also possess the ability to read DivX and MS Mpeg4, as well as MP3, DVD-R/W, and Kodak image files. DivX is a feature that is most commonly used by people who either back up their own DVDs or use DVDs that have DivX formatting, for example, people who enjoy creating their own digital media. Some DVD players may also be equipped with DVD Audio. DVD audio is an audio format that is multi-channel.

China is currently the largest producer of DVD players and puts out approximately thirty million units each year. That accommodates better than 70 percent of the world output. However, the first DVD players originated in Japan in 1996 and did not become available in the United States until March 1997.

DVD players are rapidly becoming obsolete due to the advent of the high def DVD (HD-DVD) and Blu-Ray technology. However, the implementation of this new technology has made DVD more affordable for the average consumer. Even those units that are considered high-end have reached a price that most average Americans are willing to spend for entertainment purposes. So, if you’re considering a DVD upgrade, now may be the perfect time to shop and buy. You can find most off and brand name DVD players at various sundry retailers and electronic specialty shops.