On Ramp: Digital Video Discs

Hold on, folks. Another "home movie" format is heading our way. The much-ballyhooed Digital Video Disc (DVD) is on the verge of entering the marketplace. Are you gonna be ready?

A small cousin to the 12-inch disc currently available, DVDs are identical in size (5-inch diameter) to audio compact discs. The important distinction, however, is that a DVD holds digital video information in addition to its audio tracks. And those digital capabilities promise an image that's at least as good as, and probably better than, today's analog laser video discs.

But why was this format created? Don't consumers and videomakers have enough choices now with VHS, S-VHS, 8mm, Hi8 and 12-inch laser discs? Why bring another fighter int…

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