A DVD player is the most popular source for a stereo or home theater system because it will play DVDs and CDs and some will play MP3, WMA, WMV, JPEG, Video CD and DivX discs. DVD players vary widely in price and performance based on audio and video features. A very basic DVD player can be purchased for under $100, and a DVD player with advanced features can run into the thousands of dollars.
All DVD players will play DVD Video discs which include movies, concerts, TV shows, etc. Some DVD players will also play DVD Audio discs, which have higher quality audio tracks usually accompanied by still images instead of video.
Video Outputs: There are four kinds of video outputs that may be found on a DVD player: composite video, S-Video, component video and HDMI outputs. The glossary definitions provide more information about video connections.
Progressive Scan: Offers the best picture quality when used with a television that has progressive scan capability.
Audio Decoders: Some DVD players have built-in Dolby Digital and DTS decoders, others rely on the receiver to decode the audio tracks on a disc.
Six-Channel analog outputs: These analog outputs are used for playing multichannel Blu-ray, HD-DVD, SACD and DVD-Audio discs if the player has a built-in decoder for these formats. Six channel analog outputs connect to corresponding analog inputs on a receiver.
iLink: Provides a digital connection between the DVD player and receiver for SACD, DVD-Audio and other high quality audio sources.
Optical Digital Outputs: See glossary.
Coaxial Digital Output: See glossary.
