I recently reviewed the Tarzan Collector's Edition DVD.  DVD is the best way to view movies.  If  you don't know why (or want more info), let me try to convince you.

DVD - What is it?

DVDs are the same size as CDs, but they've got six times the storage of a CD.  Mostly, they are used for movies (though there is a DVD-ROM standard that those really big role-playing games could use).

Two years ago, DVDs were specialty products that you had to hunt for.  Now, they're available almost anywhere you can get VHS movies.  You can rent them as well.  DVDs are excellent for rental.  They are less likely to get gunked up by the previous renter's VCR.  And forget about fees for not rewinding.

In addition to not needing rewinding, DVDs have other advantages.  First, the quality of the image is MUCH better than for VHS tapes.  If you've got a good television set, you will see the difference.  Plus, just like you can immediately jump to any track on a CD, you can jump to any chapter in a movie.  If you want to go directly to the campfire scene of Blazing Saddles, you can do that.

Second, most DVDs come with extra.  Many have alternative audio tracks dubbed into other languages, so you can watch "Wild Wild West" in Spanish.  (Unfortunately, it isn't any better that way.)  Galaxy Quest has an audio track dubbed into "Thermian", the language of the aliens in the movie.  It was a cute gag for the first ten minutes or so.

Some other DVDs have an audio track with commentary by the director or producer.  If you are interested in movie-making, this can be great.

Finally, many DVD have extra items, like the movie trailers, music videos of songs from the movie, or "behind the scenes" short productions, or scenes that were filmed but didn't make it into the final cut.  The animation movies often have the best add-ons.

Most new movies are released on both DVD and VHS, with a few exceptions (like LucasFilms, so no Star Wars grrrrr).  In some cases, the DVD is available for purchase while the VHS is only available for rental.  Many older movies are being transferred to DVD, but there are still many movies that aren't available.  I'm still hoping "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" will make it someday.

Where to get them

As I said, DVDs are available at most places that sell movies on VHS.  I've got two websites to recommend to get movies from:  Amazon.com, and DVD.COM.  Between the two, you'll find almost any available DVD.

How to watch them

To watch a DVD, you need three things--the DVD, a TV, and a player.  I'm going to assume you've got the TV, and can rent or buy the DVD cheaply, so the problem is the player.  How do you pick the player?

If you're like most people, any DVD player will provide a very good picture and great sound.  So, you can make decisions based on price and features.  I would advise staying with name brands, I've had some problems with off-brands.

So you can get a straight-forward player rather cheaply.  But what fun would that be?  Here are some cool players I've found

Sony DVP-CX850D

This will let you store your favorite 200 DVDs and just select the one you want to watch.  You can enter names for the various discs.  Some discs even have data that can be read by the player to provide the name and a picture of the cover.  $899

If that's not enough, Pioneer has the DV-F727 that will hold 300 DVDs. It even has a connection that allows you to hook two of these together to have a virtual 600 DVD player.  If that's not enough, contact us, you've got what it takes to write for GadgetMania.

Panasonic SC-DK3

This is a mini stereo system with a five disc changer, that also plays DVDs.  If you're short on space, this can work well.  I use the SC-DK1 model in my office.  $749.95

Panasonic PV-DM2799

This is a 27" TV with VHS and DVD built in.  If you're really short on space, this may be an option.  $999.95

Pioneer PDV-LC10

If you're really cramped for space, the Pioneer PDV-LC10 is a portable player with a 7" LCD screen.  I've tried it, the screen is pretty good.  You can also hook it up to a TV.  There are other portable DVD players, but this one seems to be the best.  $1,100

Must have DVDs

OK, you got your new DVD player and you're ready to start your collection.  Here are some suggestions to start you out.

• Tarzan Collector's Edition.  Lots of great information on how it was made.
• Prince of Egypt.  Also, a great look behind the scenes
• The Sixth Sense.  This has some great additional parts where they lay out the rules they lived by, and how they wove them into the movie.  Also, there were some scenes that were removed from fear that the secret would have been revealed too soon.
• Saving Private Ryan.  If you've got a big screen with a great sound system, this will come close to the in-theater experience.
• Anything in the Criterion Collection, these people know how to make great DVDs.  They've got classic movies like Brazil and The 39 Steps, and, well, other types of classic movies like Time Bandits.

DVDs will never kill VHS, because you can't record them (though there are devices that will record TV on hard drive and the price of DVD burners is dropping).  Still, I suspect they're going to take over as the primary distribution of movies to the home.  Might as well get in the game now, so you can brag about the early days.

Donald Brown

Amazon.com - Website that sells DVDs
DVD.com - Website that sells DVDs