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Welcome to Jim Taylor's DVD Demystified site, where all (ok, most) of your DVD questions are answered in the DVD FAQ.

DVD FAQ reader feedback:

UltraViolet FAQ

UltraViolet was a system for buying, download, and streaming movies over the Internet. More information in Jim's UltraViolet FAQ.  

Blu-ray Disc Demystified, McGraw-Hill (11/2008)

Blu-ray Disc Demystified gives Blu-ray the "Demystified" treatment with details on development, physical format, logical formats, applications, myth busting, advantages/disadvantages, and more. More information at the BDDemystified Web site.

DVD Demystified, Third Edition, McGraw-Hill (11/2005)

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Jim was joined by renowned DVD developer Mark Johnson and award-winning video director Chuck Crawford to update DVD Demystified with details of the latest developments and formats.
  • Detailed descriptions of DVD, HD DVD, Blu-ray Disc (BD), UMD, and more.
  • Over 200 information-packed charts and figures, including a quick reference section.
  • Clear and understandable explanations of features and technologies.
  • Includes a DVD with samples from Broadcast DVD, Dolby, DTS, Joe Kane Productions, Microsoft, Ovation Software, THX, Widescreen Review, and others, plus WebDVD HTML files, spreadsheets, and more.

Order online from Amazon.com (U.S.) or Amazon.ca (Canada). If you're on the other side of the pond, order online from Amazon.co.uk.
Amazon.com Amazon.ca Amazon.co.uk
(If you order after following these links, Amazon pays a small commission to Jim.)
 
Japanese cover

 

DVD Demystified 2nd edition is available in Japanese.


Download barcodes for using the DVD Demystified disc with Pioneer 7400/7300/7200 industrial players.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About DVD, published by McGraw-Hill (11/2003)

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  • The most comprehensive, quick look-up guide to DVD facts, figures, and formats available anywhere
  • General DVD information
  • DVD's relationship to other products and technologies
  • DVD technical details
  • DVDs and the computer
  • DVD production
This is the DVD FAQ in print. If you've ever wished you had a copy of the FAQ to read on the bus, at breakfast, or in the bathroom, your wish has been granted.

Order online from Amazon.com (U.S.) or Amazon.ca (Canada). If you're on the other side of the pond, order online from Amazon.co.uk.
Amazon.com Amazon.ca Amazon.co.uk
(If you order after following these links, Amazon pays a small commission to Jim.)
 

The Official DVD FAQ

  • DVD FAQ - The official Frequently Asked Questions list of the rec.video.dvd newsgroups.
  • Reader comments about the DVD FAQ.

ChangeDetect will tell you when the DVD FAQ is updated.

More Stuff From Jim Taylor

I keep a separate list of my presentations, publications, and other productions. Here are a few selections:

Stuff From Other Jim Taylors

Related Stuff

If you're interested in learning more about digital audio/video and related technologies, I recommend the following books: