As PCs become much faster and have a lot more resources to handle MPEG decoding, the need for special MPEG decoders for DVD drives has become less necessary. While some still recommend them, many DVD drives are being sold now that do not come accompanies by a MPEG decoder card. Such drives use software-based decoding. This is quite simple to use, and there are several titles (PowerDVD, WinDVD) that can perform the task. Software decoding obviosuly depends on the speed and resources of the PC to do the decoding. Decent Pentium III systems and faster can perform this task without hassle. With many people using processors faster than that, software decoding has become the way to do it. For some, there PC is right on the border-line of capability for this, but you can also get a video card with built-in features that aid in DVD playback. Video cards with DVD-decoding capability can also help with some hardware-based capability, and help your computer along.
DVD was not natively supported by Windows 95. Therefore, it may at times be tricky to get it to work under this OS. Windows 98 had built-in DVD support, and all subsequent version of Windows are quite easy to get DVD drives working in. For the most part, installing a DVD drive is as easy as installing a CD-ROM. Under modern versions of Windows, once the drive is installed, it will automatically be detected and work on your next boot-up. Very easy.
Should I Upgrade?
While there is no doubt that DVD is a worthy successor to the CD-ROM, it is arguable whether you really need to do the upgrade. Here’s why…
DVD content is lacking. Actual DVD software is rare. The vast majority of titles available for DVD are movies. So, unless you want to sit in front of your computer and watch a movie, there is really no point to go DVD. Of course, you could always attach your TV to your computer video-out (if you have one) and watch DVD’s on TV through your computer. But, still, you could buy a DVD player for your TV, so it is arguable whether you really need one for the computer.
Why are companies so slow in releasing DVD content? Well, expense. Converting software to the new DVD format will be a pricey move for manufacturers. The DVD format is more difficult to write to, leading to more money. Also, most software can easily fit on a CD. In fact, most software does not use the entire CD. This, combined with the fact that most users do not have DVD, leads companies to stay with the CD-ROM format. It is argued that by the time DVD becomes popular enough for companies to actually distribute software on, that it will be outdated by electronic mediums such as the internet.
DVD’s real value comes in its storage ability. This amount of storage is good for reference volumes such as Encyclopedias. But, since most computer users turn to the internet for their information, some say DVD is not needed. The fact that most PCs bought today have DVD already installed, most users do not need to make a choice on the matter.
Like what you read?
If so, please join over 28,000 people who receive our exclusive weekly newsletter and computer tips, and get FREE COPIES of 5 eBooks we created, as our gift to you for subscribing. Just enter your name and email below:
