Type
Blu-ray and HD-DVD are the next generation of disc types allowing for high definition movies in 1080p. HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are not compatible with each other, but both types support normal DVDs.
3D-Ready
The Blu-ray player supports 3D film.
In order to view it, you will need a 3D TV and glasses.
Recorder
Indicates the types of discs the recorder can record on. Most recorders record on DVD but products with Blu-Ray and HD-DVD recording are on the horizon. Some products record both on discs and on an internal hard drive.
Built-In Hard Drive
Shows if there is a built-in hard drive. That means that you can record film, images or music.
Portable
Is the player a stationary player for home use without a screen, or is it a portable with a screen operated by batteries.
Dolby Digital Decoder
Indicates if there is an on-board Dolby Digital Decoder .
Dolby Digital - A sound format that probably will become the standard regarding multi-channel sound. Other formats include Dolby Pro Logic and DTS. The difference between Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Digital is that Dolby Digital splits the sound into five channels while Dolby Pro Logic uses four. Dolby Digital also provides two separate surround channels for greater realism, and an additional ".1" or "LFE" channel for low-frequency (bass) special sound effects. DTS is another 5.1 system similar to Dolby Digital.
HDMI Outputs
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first and only industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. By delivering crystal-clear, all-digital audio and video via a single cable, HDMI dramatically simplifies cabling and helps provide consumers with the highest-quality home theater experience. HDMI provides an interface between any audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, or A/V receiver and an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital television (DTV), over a single cable. HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel, 192kHz, uncompressed digital audio and all currently-available compressed formats (such as Dolby Digital and DTS), HDMI 1.3 adds additional support for new lossless digital audio formats Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements.
Progressive Scan
Indicates that the DVD player is capable of processing and outputting progressive scan images via the progressive scan component video output. Progressive scan images look more film-like and is less subject to certain motion artifacts as common with "conventional" interlaced scanning. This type of video signal is useful only if you have a digital TV(or HDTV). If you don't have a progressive scan capable TV, you can still use interlaced video output to drive your current TV. To fully reduce motion artifacts, its recommended to use a progressive scan DVD player that performs 3:2 pulldown.
THX
THX is an exclusive set of standards and technologies established by the world-renowned film production company, Lucasfilm Ltd. THX grew from George Lucas personal desire to make your experience of the film soundtrack, in both movie theatres and in your home theatre as faithful as possible to what the director intended. Movie soundtracks are mixed in special movie theatres called dubbing stages and are designed to be played back in movie theatres with similar equipment and conditions. The soundtrack created for movie theatres is then transferred directly onto Laserdisc, VHS tape, DVD, etc., and is not changed for playback in a small home theatre environment. THX engineers developed patented technologies to accurately translate the sound from the movie theatre environment into the home, correcting the tonal and spatial errors that occur.
Built-In VCR
Indicates whether or not the player has a built in video/VCR.
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