A Comparison of Digital Video Standards - Digital Video and Audio Broadcasting Technology - page 168

only one program (only one movie), whereas MPEG-2 can accommodate a
multiplexed data stream with up to 20 programs and more.
In addition to Standard Definition TV (SDTV), MPEG-2 also supports
High Definition TV (HDTV). MPEG-2 is used throughout the world as
digital baseband signal in broadcasting.
A Video CD (VCD) contains an MPEG-1 coded data signal as a pro-
gram stream, i.e. there is one program consisting of multiplexed PES
packets. The total data rate is about 1.5 Mbit/s. Many pirate copies of mov-
ies are available as Video CD and can be downloaded from the Internet or
bought on the Asian market.
A Super Video CD (SVCD) carries an MPEG-2 data signal coded with
2.4 Mbit/s, also as a program stream with multiplexed PES packets. A Su-
per Video CD approximately corresponds to VHS type quality, sometimes
even better.
On a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk - NOT 'Digital Video Disk'), the data
material is MPEG-2 coded with data rates of up to 10.5 Mbit/s and exhibits
a much better picture quality than that recorded on VHS tape. A DVD also
carries a multiplexed PES data stream. Subtitles and much else besides are
also possible.
The DVD is intended for a variety of applications including video, audio
and data. In contrast to the CD (approx. 700 Mbytes), the data volume on a
DVD is up to 17 Gbytes and it is possible to have 1, 2 or 4 layers with 4.7
Gbytes each per layer (see table below).

Table 10.1. DVD types

Type Sides Layers /

side

Data
[Gbytes]

x
CD-ROM

DVD 5 1 1 4.7 7

DVD 9 1 2 8.5 13

DVD 10 2 1 9.4 14

DVD 18 2 2 17.1 25

Technical data of the Video DVD:

• Storage capacity: 4.7 to 17.1 Gbytes

• MPEG-2 Video with variable data rate, 9.8 Mbit/s video max.

Audio:

• Linear PCM (LPCM) with 48 kHz or 96 kHz sampling fre-

quency at 16, 20 or 24 bits resolution