What Do I Do Now? A DVD Primer

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What Do I Do Now? A DVD Primer

By Staff Writer

Congratulations. You're about to upgrade your home theater with the best picture and sound source consumer-level technology has to offer. [BestBuy.com editor's note: Since this article was originally published, HDTV has assumed the "best picture" mantle among consumer-level technologies. Not to worry, however — DVD still looks pretty spectacular.] Don't let your palms get sweaty — this is a time for celebration! But before you start celebrating, you have to install the new component. Well, you knew there had to be a catch somewhere.

Following is a brief survival guide on how to get started with a new DVD player.

Consider the possibilities
Installing a DVD player isn't exactly brain surgery, but take the time to do it right. An average DVD player is versatile enough to fit into any kind of setup, but unless you're the kind of techie who knows every jack in his system, take a look at the back panels of your receiver, and possibly your TV, to determine what kind of video and audio jacks are available. Also, take a few minutes — just a few minutes — to thumb through the manual to figure out where the pertinent information is and acquaint yourself with the subtleties.

Find a good place for it
Your DVD player will run cooler if it has adequate ventilation above its power supply and motor — don't stack something atop it unless you have no other choice. Make sure it's in a place where cables from your receiver and/or TV can reach it.

Use the best video connection
If you're one of the lucky few to have a DVD player, receiver and TV all with component video connections, use them — they're the highest-quality option. S-video is next, followed by composite video. Use the best type available. Keep in mind that most receivers won't convert one to another, so use the same kind consistently as the signal travels from DVD player to receiver to TV.

Connect the digital output
DVD players use digital outputs nowadays, either "coaxial" or "optical" or both, to feed a pure digital signal to your receiver or surround processor. Either type will work. The coaxial type uses a standard RCA-type jack; if you don't have a special digital coaxial cable, a good yellow-color-coded video cable has sufficient bandwidth to work. The optical type uses a special fiber-optic cable; be sure not to bend it sharply or the kink will ruin the cable and prevent the signal from passing. If your receiver or surround processor does not have a digital input labeled with the double-D logo of Dolby Labs, pay attention to the next paragraph.

Or the 5.1-channel line outputs
If your receiver is a pre-Dolby Digital model with no Dolby Digital inputs, but does have 5.1-channel analog line inputs for five channels plus sub, you may still be able to enjoy Dolby Digital surround sound. Some of the more full-featured DVD players include their own complete on-board Dolby Digital decoders, with 5.1-channel line outputs. It's easy to connect the player's 5.1 outs to the receiver's 5.1 ins, assuming they're both so equipped. If one of them is not, you might consider an upgrade to get Dolby Digital.

Or the analog outputs
In a system without provision for Dolby Digital surround decoding, you'll at least want to connect the DVD player to your Pro Logic or stereo receiver using the player's stereo outputs. This will at least equip your home theater with stereo DVD — and CD playback. Red is usually the right channel.

The power cord comes last
It's not a good idea to hotwire any component in your system. You could damage your components or speakers.

Testing 1, 2, 3
Turn on the player and determine if the TV is getting a signal. Then check the sound.

Get used to the quirks of the format
DVD is great, but it's kind of weird, too. With many discs, you can't just press play. Instead, the disc will probably greet you with a menu. Choose the Dolby Digital surround soundtrack if your system can process it. It may be mislabeled in a variety of amusing ways ("5.1 surround" or "PCM" are among these classics of obscurantism). Some titles come with a "letterboxed" 16:9 video transfer on one side, for use with widescreen digital TVs, and a conventional "panned and scanned" 4:3 video transfer on the other side, for regular analog TVs. Play whichever is appropriate for your video display or your taste. You may have to adjust the TV as well.

Be patient with audio problems
To properly play Dolby Digital, Pro Logic, or DTS you may have to adjust audio settings in as many as three places: the disc menu, the player's audio output menu, and the receiver's digital input menu. Most new receivers have an auto-detect mode that will determine what kind of soundtrack is playing but you may have to select it the first time out.

If CD-R and CD-RW discs don't play, don't have a cow
Recordable CD compatibility varies from DVD player to DVD player. It isn't a requirement of the DVD-Video format specs though manufacturers do provide partial compatibility to varying degrees, depending on the brand of blank disc used to make the recording.

If something goes wrong
Consult the manual. Yes, even real men read manuals. Don't pop the lid — even if you think you know what you're doing. If you're still stumped, call the manufacturer's tech support line or send e-mail.

From information provided by etown.com.

Now that you've got your DVD player set up properly, it's time to see what it can do. Visit our DVD store for great movies that will really put it through its paces.

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