The DVD Revolution

The DVD Revolution

Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the features and advantages of DVD video.

Central Idea: The DVD video format has superior audio and visual quality to VHS, as well as more special features, which is why it should eventually occupy the place of the VCR in American households.

Introduction

I’d like to start things out by taking a survey. How many of you remember having a CD player in your house fifteen years ago? Not very many of you, I see. Of course, we all have CD players now. It took a little over a decade and some major price drops, but eventually we all threw out our old vinyl and cassettes and opted for the excellent sound quality and convenience of CDs.

Just as the CD took the place of cassettes, many people believe the DVD, or digital versatile disc, will soon take the place of VHS tapes. Many of you may not even know what a DVD is, so before I go any further, let me show you what one looks like. (Take out DVD disc) It’s the same size as a CD, but it has two sides. Just like a VHS tape, it plays movies directly on your television. DVD video players were originally released in early 1997, and their first year sales were twice that of CD players, which is strong evidence that the DVD is here to stay. Why is the DVD so popular, and what makes it better than VHS? There are three main reasons: sound quality, picture quality, and special features exclusive to DVD.

(Transition: Let’s start with the sound quality of DVD)

Body

I. The sound quality of DVD is far superior than that of VHS.

A. DVD discs utilize digital technology, which is the same technology used by compact discs.

1. This means that you will get crisp and clear sound equal to CDs.

B. DVD players are also compatible with all surround sound formats.

1. For those of you who don’t know, surround sound is a system of speakers set up across a room that provides a listening experience similar to being I in a movie theater.

2. The combination of a surround sound system and CD quality sound is best realized when listening to musicals like “Singing in the Rain”, or action films with a lot of sound effects, such as “Starship Troopers.”

C. You have the ability to listen to different audio tracks.

1.