DVD sides and layers question (1 Viewer)

[Thik Nongyow]

DVD-Video has many types:

a) single-sided, single-layered
b) single-sided, double-layered
c) double-sided, single-layered
d) double-sided, double-layered

With a diversity of types, why on some DVD releases, the widescreen version is on one disc, while the full-screen (pan-and-scan) version is on another disc? Why not have both version of a movie on a double-sided, single-layered disc; one side the widescreen version, the other side the full-screen version? Has it had something to do with the cost of producing double-sided, single layered discs, economics, popularity, or technical issues such as compression or image quality?

 

[Robert Crawford]

Thik,
Read the following thread which has several links of information including answers to your above questions.
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=55635

 

[John Garcia]

A number of studios used to put out discs just as you describe - double sided, single layer with the POS P&S on one side and widescreen on the other. Though I haven't seen many like this recently.
My question is, why bother with a lousy P&S version at all?

 

[Vince Maskeeper]

THIK,

Often the film will not be a quality presentation on a single layer. So a disc must be dual layered for either version of the film. In those cases, if you're looking to offer WS and P&S the option is doing a dual side/ dual layer DVD (DVD-18) or do 2 seperate Single sided versions. DVD-18 is still pretty rare and a bit expensive, so a 2 version release is often the best solution.

-Vince