The special features exclusive to DVD.(Transition: Lets
The DVD RevolutionSpecific Purpose: To inform my audienceabout the features and advantages of DVD video.Central Idea: The DVD video formathas superior audio and visual quality to VHS, as well as more special features,which is why it should eventually occupy the place of the VCR in Americanhouseholds.IntroductionId like to start things out by takinga survey. How many of you remember having a CD player in your housefifteen years ago? Not very many of you, I see. Of course,we all have CD players now.
It took a little over a decade and somemajor price drops, but eventually we all threw out our old vinyl and cassettesand opted for the excellent sound quality and convenience of CDs.Just as the CD took the place ofcassettes, many people believe the DVD, or digital versatile disc, willsoon take the place of VHS tapes. Many of you may not even know whata DVD is, so before I go any further, let me show you what one looks like.
(Take out DVD disc) Its the same size as a CD, but it has two sides.Just like a VHS tape, it plays movies directly on your television.DVD video players were originally released in early 1997, and their firstyear sales were twice that of CD players, which is strong evidence thatthe DVD is here to stay.
Why is the DVD so popular, and what makesit better than VHS? There are three main reasons: sound quality,picture quality, and special features exclusive to DVD.(Transition: Lets start with thesound quality of DVD)BodyI. The sound quality of DVD is far superiorthan that of VHS.A. DVD discs utilize digital technology,which is the same technology used by compact discs.
1. This means that you will getcrisp and clear sound equal to CDs.B. DVD players are also compatiblewith all surround sound formats.
1. For those of you who dontknow, surround sound is a system of speakersset upacross a room that provides a listening experience similar to beingIin a movie theater.2. The combination of a surround soundsystem and CD quality sound is best realized when listening to musicalslike “Singing in the Rain”, or action films with a lot of sound effects,such as “Starship Troopers.”C. You have the ability to listento different audio tracks.
1. This means that on just one disc, youcan listen to a movie in a number of languages, usually English, French,and Spanish.2.
You can also listen to just the musicalscore, with the dialogue and sound effects turned off.3. Some discs even feature a running commentaryby the actors and director while a movie is playing.
(Transition: Now that you know alittle abound the sound, let me tell you about some of the visual featuresof DVD)II. Movies have never looked better thanon DVD.A.
The picture on a DVD player is twiceas sharp and clear than VCR players.1. As Entertainment Weekly writer MichealGlitz put it, “( Colorful movies like The Wizard of Oz are) so beautifulyoull want to freeze some scenes and leave them on your TV the way othershang works of art on their walls.”2.
The picture is already perfect, soyoull never have to fool with tracking again.B. You can watch the movie from two differentscreen ratios.
1. You can watch a movie in widescreenformat, which is when the screen has the little black bars at the top andthe bottom. This is the way movies are viewed in theatres.2. You can also watch the movie in “panand scan” format. This is how things normally appear on a televisionscreen. You wont have the black bars, but you also wont be seeingthe entire picture.
C. You can watch some movies withsubtitles in several different languages.1. Subtitles allow the hearing-impairedto watch movies without having a closed caption feature on their televisions.2. Many people enjoy watching foreignfilms with subtitles, rather than dubbed voices.
This allows themto hear the original actors voice, and not a translator.D. Some titles allow viewers to adjustthe camera angle on a scene.1. You can step into the directors chairand call the shots. You get to control the camera and look at a scenethe way you want.
2. This feature is excellent to use onsports programs. You can watch a play from multiple angles and scrutinizeevery move made.(Transition: In addition to superiorpicture and sound, you also get additional features found only on DVD.
)III. DVD is more fun and convenient thanVHS.A.
Each movie starts out with a menu screen.1. From the menu you choose what featuresyou want, such as subtitles or a widescreen format.
B. DVD allows you to skip to any scenein a movie.2.
Just like skipping to your favoritesong on a CD, DVD allows you to go directly to your favorite scenein a movie.3. Youll never have to bother with fastforwarding through the previews, or rewinding at the end.
C. You may also get extra bonuses.1. This can include behind the scenesdocumentaries, games, original movie trailers, or interviews with the castand crew.ConclusionAccording to an article by SteveTraiman in the September 5th, 1998 issue of Billboard, there are alreadynearly 800,000 DVD players in North American households, and more thanten times that amount in is expected in the next four years.
Andwhy not? In addition to the features Ive listed above, players canbe purchased for around $300, there are over 1500 movie titles available,and most of them cost between ten and thirty dollars. One web siteis even selling a DVD version of President Clintons grand jury testimonyfor just two cents. The DVD is to the VCR as the CD is to the cassetteplayer. It may not be today or tomorrow, but eventually the DVD will becomethe primary movie format and find a place in your living room.BibliographyArticlesGallagher, Leigh. “Global BottomFishing.” Forbes September 21 September 1998: 274.
Giltz, Michael. “Move Over, VCR.”Entertainment Weekly 25 September 1998: 109-112.Traiman, Steve.
“DVDs Steady ClimbMapped Out at Industry Conference.” Billboard5 September 1998: 111.Internet SourcesDVD Centre.
“Warner Announces NewDVD Pricing Plan.” 11 July 1998. URL: http://web.
ukonline.co.uk/s.roberts/wbprice2.
htm.5 October 1998.DVD Video Group. “What is DVD Video?”URL: http://www.dvdvideogroup.
com/what/what1.htm. 5 October1998.
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