This section provides a general overview of DVD technology. Topics covered include a brief history, a comparison of DVDs with compact disc (CD) technology, the different types of DVD that are currently available, and a glimpse at the future of DVDs.

History
DVDs were first developed in 1995 through a consortium of ten companies: Hitachi, JVC, Matsushita, Mitsubishi, Philips, Pioneer, Sony, Thomson, Time Warner, and Toshiba. These companies formed the DVD Consortium, which in April 1997 became the DVD Forum. The mission of the forum is to promote the worldwide acceptance of DVD products across the entertainment, consumer electronics and IT industries. In early 2000, membership in the DVD Forum reached some 230 companies and organizations that are engaged in DVD research, development and/or manufacturing. Although DVD once stood for “Digital Video Disc” or “Digital Versatile Disc,” DVD now simply stands for DVD.
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