What are the features of DVD-Video?

The main features of DVD include:

• Over 2 hours of high-quality digital video (over 8 on a double-sided, dual-layer disc).
• Support for widescreen movies on standard or widescreen TVs (4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios).
• Up to 8 tracks of digital audio (for multiple languages), each with as many as 8 channels.
• Up to 32 subtitle/karaoke tracks.
• Automatic seamless branching of video (for multiple story lines or ratings on one disc).
• Up to 9 camera angles (different viewpoints can be selected during playback).
• Menus and simple interactive features (for games, quizzes, etc.).
• Multilingual identifying text for title name, album name, song name, cast, crew, etc.
• Instant rewind and fast forward, including search to title, chapter, track, and timecode.
• Durability (no wear from playing, only from physical damage).
• Not susceptible to magnetic fields. Resistant to heat.
• Compact size (easy to handle and store, players can be portable, replication is cheaper).

Note: Most discs do not contain all features (multiple audio/subtitle tracks, seamless branching, parental control, etc.). Some discs may not allow searching or skipping.

Most players support a standard set of features:

• Language choice (for automatic selection of video scenes, audio tracks, subtitle tracks, and menus) which must be supported by additional content on the disc. Some players include additional features:
• Special effects playback: freeze, step, slow, fast, and scan (no reverse play or reverse step).
• Parental lock (for denying playback of discs or scenes with objectionable material) which again must be supported by additional content on the disc. Some players include additional features
• Programmability (playback of selected sections in a desired sequence).
• Random play and repeat play.
• Digital audio output (PCM stereo and Dolby-Digital).
• Compatibility with audio CDs.
• Component (YUV or RGB) output for highest-quality picture.
• Compatibility with Video CDs.
• Six-channel analog output from internal audio decoder.
• Compatibility with laserdiscs and CDVs.
• Reverse single frame stepping.
• RF output (for TVs with no direct video input).
• Multilingual on-screen display.