CompuServe Messages

ALL laserdisk players (old and new) will play both CLV and CAV disks. The type of disk is generally included on the disc cover, as well as in listings in catalogs. (If you don't see a specification, assume it's CLV…) Now, on the low end players, CAV offers perfect freeze frames, variable speed playback (and even reverse playback), search to a particular frame number, and related special effects. The CAVeat here, of course, is that a CAV disk can only hold about 20-25 minutes on a side, while a CLV disk can hold an hour on each side. Higher end players offer most of these same special effects on CLV discs as well, through a digital store buffer. Other features of interest are Combination players, which not only play normal 12" CAV and CLV laser discs, but also play 8" LDs, audio CDs, and many now also play CDVs. You can get players which will play both sides of a disc without your having to flip the disk. Or if your *really* a quality hog, you can get some players with even better picture output with S-Video outputs and the like… –>Steve Bennett