The Digital Bits Insider's Guide to DVD

Rating:
Summary: DVD for the average lamen
Review: Being an avid reader of the Digitalbits for a long time now, I was literally foaming at the mouth when Doogan and Hunt announced they were doing a book. After months of waiting I'm pleased to say its all that I expected. See this book taps into what the Bits does the best, explain everyones favorite format in the simplest language possible. They go into detail on everything from the basis of DVD technology,region codes to aspect ratios. They also give helpful advice to newcomers on how to build a decent home theatre to match a myriad of budgets. The book also goes into vast and facinating detail on how much hard work goes into making an extensive special edition, using Fox's Alien Quadrilogy as the example of this. Getting a first look at Fox's highly anticipated nine disc Alien set warrants purchasing this book alone. The only complaints I have with the book is that it didn't contain information on subjects such as edge enhancement, grain, digital artifacts and other things that I wanted to learn to identify. This is a totally trivial complaint stacked against such a great work but it was still something I was looking forward to reading about. This is the essential guidebook to the format and a perfect companion to the authors superb online publication.

Rating:
Summary: If only we could force people to read it...
Review: Bill and Todd run a great website and their reviews and news bits have always been honest, fun and informative. This book is no different. As a long-time reader of the site, much of the book's contents was review for me, BUT I really enjoyed the Alien Quadrilogy behind-the-scenes piece and it's a great quick reference for friends and family just getting into DVD. I bought the book to support the site and I hope others do the same. Nice job guys!

Rating:
Summary: A True Guide - this book does what it says on the cover
Review: DVD is a complicated subject that can just get too daunting for most people. However this book answers all those difficult questions in a well thought out, easy to read and ultimately very useful reference. I thoroughly recommend it to all those people who don't feel comfortable with the subject, yet harbour a wish to learn more. It has been written with passion and experience.

Rating:
Summary: A True Guide - this book does what it says on the cover
Review: DVD is a complicated subject that can just get too daunting for most people. However this book answers all those difficult questions in a well thought out, easy to read and ultimately very useful reference. I thoroughly recommend it to all those people who don't feel comfortable with the subject, yet harbour a wish to learn more. It has been written with passion and experience.

Rating:
Summary: Useless book on DVDs
Review: Finally, a book that most can understand and enjoy. This is a wonderful ambitious book to help all those interested in learning about the exciting young format called DVD. If you want to create your own Home Theatre, this book will also help show you how in plain English. I can't suggest a better book more clearly written with a special enthusiasm that only Bill Hunt could bring to his text. Even accomplished film enthusiasts will find lots of new information to feed their curiosity. As a long time film and video editor I found it to be a welcome edition to my library. By the way, it's also a great gift idea for the Holidays.

Rating:
Summary: DVD made easy.
Review: Finally, a book that most can understand and enjoy. This is a wonderful ambitious book to help all those interested in learning about the exciting young format called DVD. If you want to create your own Home Theatre, this book will also help show you how in plain English. I can't suggest a better book more clearly written with a special enthusiasm that only Bill Hunt could bring to his text. Even accomplished film enthusiasts will find lots of new information to feed their curiosity. As a long time film and video editor I found it to be a welcome edition to my library. By the way, it's also a great gift idea for the Holidays.

Rating:
Summary: WOW - what an excellent book
Review: from the editor's of the well respected The Digital Bits web site comes this fantastic new book that puts all others to shame. Bill Hunt and Todd Doogan have been at the forefront of the DVD business since the format's introduction in 1997. Their site is always delivering the latest news and reveiws, and now comes this new book that will satisfy everyone interested in the format. The book is 432 pages long and is a quality product, printed on high grade, glossy paper. The book is divided into the following main areas: DVD explained, How to build you own home cinema, The top 100 DVDs reviewed, The future of DVD and perhaps the most anticipated, an exclusive and extensive, behind-the-scenes look at the making of the new ALIEN QUADRILOGY set. This 45 page section is worth the price of the book itself, providing a complete breakdown of what will be included on this 9-disc set and how the extras and new versions of the films were created. Altogether a fantastic read - what more do you expect from the worlds no1 DVD resourse site on the web? Thank you Bill & Todd - keep up the great work.

Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile for anyone new to DVD
Review: I am surprised how useful this book is been to me. It was recommended me by a friend who reads Digital Bits website. I am fairly new to DVD and not really technical minded, but this book helped me to understand the how everything works better. I already picked up three of special editions recommended by authors and am very glad to have discovering them. Even making of Alien part is interesting, and I was not fan of this movie. I had no idea how much work is for making a DVD. I recommend this book to anyone who is new to DVD like me. It is easy read and helpful too.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for anyone into DVD
Review: I got this book in my stocking and it's really fun read! I learned alot about DVD, and got some good ideas about titles to buy that I wouldn't have thought of. It reads easily, and is easy to understand for beginners, and I think has lots of good information for people who already know a bunch too. I have reccommended it to all my friends - give it a try! A+++

Rating:
Summary: Great book for anyone into DVD
Review: I got this book in my stocking and it's really fun read! I learned alot about DVD, and got some good ideas about titles to buy that I wouldn't have thought of. It reads easily, and is easy to understand for beginners, and I think has lots of good information for people who already know a bunch too. I have reccommended it to all my friends - give it a try! A+++