Digital Video Disc (DVD) stores and plays digital information, such as a movie, on a disc similar in size to the common CD-ROM disc. DVD output is clearer, sharper, and uses a higher color resolution than previous formats. Audio content is also sharper. DVD discs store up to nine hours of exceptionally high quality video and multi-channel surround-sound audio, interactive multimedia computer programs, or 30 hours of CD-quality audio.
DVD allows features that were impossible with movies (or games) on tape. DVD players can play from any point on the disc. It can also pause, play in slow motion or fast forward, or freeze frames. These random access features allow previously unheard of features such as multiple endings (selected by the viewer) for a movie, first-person interactive video games, and multiple camera angles.
Parental control allows parents to password protect programs that they do not want children to view. A variation of this lockout facility allows different versions of a movie to be stored on the same disc if the disc's producers choose. When transferred to DVD, some films include an R-rated version and a PG-13 version. Some even include the director's cut.
Because DVD can store multiple sound tracks, it can support up to eight languages for a single movie. In addition, the format supports 32 closed caption tracks.
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