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The Good Old DVD
DVD, also known as Digital Video Disk or Digital Versatile Disk, is a flat and circular media which can store audio and video file formats. Its size is around 12 centimeters. As a compliance to the ISO 9660 Standard (file system for CD-ROMs), DVD has a Universal Disk Format (UDF) system used for partial rewriting conditions.
The history of DVD dates back in the 1990s. During that time, two optical devices were initiated. These are the MultiMedia Compact Disc (MMCD) and the Super Density Disc (SD). The former was sponsored by Philips and Sony while the latter was financed by Time-Warner, Hitachi, Pioneer, JVC, Toshiba, Matsushita Electric (Panasonic), Mitsubishi Electric, and Thomson. However, these two media have a different file formats. In an effort to bring together and form a unified standard, former IBM President Lou Gerstner initiated the union of the two devices. The result was very successful. MMCD was a dumped by Philips and Sony. They decided to follow Toshiba's SD system design. The minor revisions of SD technology (like the integration of Sony and Philips' "push-pull" tracking design and EFMPlus), gave birth to the first ever DVD in 1995. DVDs first model was the Version 1.0. It was finished in the later part of 1996. The DVD Consortium was then established to promote international understanding among all DVD manufacturers. At present, this organization is now known as the DVD Forum and constitutes about 230 members.
Japan became the first country to have a DVD when it was released in November 1996. Soon after, the United States followed in March 1997, Europe in 1998, and Australia in 1999.
In 1999, DVD only comprises a small amount in video stores across the US. Much of the sales are composed mainly of VHS. In 2005, however, DVDs became the majorities. In fact, Wal-Mart is now phasing out VHS videos.
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