Why are current CD ROM speeds so much faster than DVD ROM?
Keep in mind that DVD drive speeds should not be compared with those of a CD ROM drive. The new DVD ROM drives will spin at the same speeds as CD ROM drives, but because DVD data is packed more densely, the transfer rates are much higher and are equivalent to that of a 8X CD ROM drive.

They look exactly like Compact Discs. What's the difference?
The centerpiece of DVD is an optical disc that is the same diameter as its 51/4-inch, 650MB forefather, however, densely packed with data. So much more densely, in fact, that a single-sided, single-layer disc can contain 4.7GB of information. A single DVD disc has the capability to store up to seven times the data contained on one CD!

Will DVD movies play on my current CD player?
No, a DVD player that is equipped to read the pits and lands of a DVD disc and decode the MPEG-2 data signal is required.

Will DVD discs wear out, like VHS movies?
No. The picture quality of the DVD disc is consistent from the first play to the thousandth play. Plus, DVD discs will not deteriorate over time, are unaffected by magnetic fields (which can literally erase a VHS cassette) and do not require rewinding after viewing.

Can I play my current collection of Compact Discs on my DVD ROM?
Yes. DVD ROM will operate CD ROM discs, DVD discs, as well as audio CDs. But, will not operate media from Recordable CD ROMs, Recordable/Re-writable CD ROMs, DVD Recordable or DVD RAM.

What is the difference between DVD ROM drives and DVD players?
DVD players are made exclusively for your television, while DVD ROM drives are made to work with a computer. DVD ROM drives can play the same discs Ė full-length, feature movies as a DVD player.

How does DVD quality compare to VHS or Laserdisc?
Like CDs, DVD discs are much more compact and less prone to wear and tear than VHS tapes. Furthermore, DVD offers many interactive features just not possible on plain VHS tapes.

In terms of pure video performance, DVD is superior to VHS and even laserdiscs in every way. DVD offers 480 lines of horizontal resolution (laserdisc is 425 lines), which is just a hair below the NTSC specification (of 482 lines). In addition, DVD offers far superior color resolution than any other mainstream consumer video formats (meaning less video noise and more vibrant color spectrum).

As DVDís name suggests, DVD stores all information digitally. (Laserdisc stores pictures and sound in analog domain, with an exception of table of contents, PCM digital audio and Dolby AC-3 audio tracks.) Unlike many consumer video formats, DVD stores images using component signals.

What is the difference between DVD video quality on a TV vs. a Computer?
The component format stores pictures in 3 separate forms: black-and-white image (luminance) and two channels of color information (chrominance). All 3 signals are retained at high bandwidths which means DVD can offer high details and vibrant color spectrum. DVD stores pictures at 720 by 480 lines of digital resolution, NTSC is limited to 482 lines of horizontal resolution.

Using a DVD player with a TV will downgrade these high-quality signals into NTSC S-video signal. For those without a S-video input on their TV, DVD players must combined S-video signals into a NTSC composite signal (adding more distortion). If your TV doesn't even have an RCA video input, the RF modulator will further downgrade pictures into a broadcast TV signal.

A DVD ROM in a PC takes the digital 720 x 480 resolution and interfaces to SVGA which displays it on a high resolution monitor at 720 x 480, which eliminates the need to downgrade the video to NTSC.

Does the Destination 31" monitor support DVD resolution?
Yes the 31" viewable monitor supports 720 x 480 resolution.

If the PC keeps the video digital how do I control the picture quality?
DVD players convert the video to an analog NTSC signal to display on a TV. A common TV will have standard analog picture quality adjustments, which include color, contrast, brightness and tint. Since PC monitors do not support the adjustments, this will be a problem. Many movies will appear darker on a PC since the movies are made for TVs and a TV display is typically brighter than a monitor. Some PC solutions convert the signal to analog video and use a loop back method which degrades the signal.

Gateway 2000 products (Destination and Desktops) have implemented digital picture controls. Therefore color, contrast, brightness and tint are adjusted digitally.

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Many Gateway 2000 products are custom engineered to Gateway 2000 specifications, which may vary from the retail versions of the software and/or hardware in functionality, performance or compatibility. Please ask your sales rep to explain any differences. The information in this document has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate. However, Gateway 2000 assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be contained in this document. In no event will Gateway 2000 be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from any defect or omission, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

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