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The Digital Bits
One of the first sites to actively promote DVDs as a viable format (back when much of the
industry was enamored with that defunct atrocity DVIX). Appealing and easy to get around,
it is a good source of in-depth reviews and a fantastic source of news and commentary
relating to DVD and video.
DVD.com
Owned and operated by DVD online retailer Express.com
(formely known as DVD Express), it offers advice, message boards and reviews of hardware
and current films. No DVD reviews though (would you trust DVD reviews by a DVD retailer?).
The site looks very professional but navigating it can be challenging – which seems
surprising since the Express.com site, ostensibly designed by the same folks, is a breeze.
An outstanding feature is the Doc DVD,
a free Q&A service covering every aspect of Home Theater.
DVD File
One of the most comprehensive sites in terms of reviews, it is a veritable database of DVD
information. The design is simple, eschewing the use of too many graphics. The reviews are
thorough and the coverage ranges from popular titles to more esoteric stuff. An excellent
feature is the Review
Index, an expansive, sometimes exhaustive, list of links to reviews from other DVD
sites.
DVD Review
Apart from reviews and news, you can find original offerings, such as a treasure trove of Hidden Features (features
like extra trailers, hidden on DVDs by studios either inadvertently or while in a playful
mood.). The design is a little oppressive, but the navigation is simple and to the point.
DVD Town
A solid site, with good reviews and news. The design will turn some people off since it
relies on flashy technologies (pop-up interactive menus and such) which will not be
accessible to people using anything other than the most current browser, and will annoy
some who do regardless. Some of the links do not work and there are spelling mistakes
aplenty. Earnest but amateurish, it is worth visiting for its DVD news from around the globe..., a list of
links to DVD news from various wire services.
Sound & Vision
The online version of the print magazine Sound & Vision (formerly published as two
distinct magazines, Stereo Review and Video). The site is bright and inviting and tries
hard to emulate the look of its print version, which makes it awkward to navigate since it
is arranged by issue (an inherent hazard of trying to convert deadwood magazines to an
online format). It is, however, a good source of hardware reviews, especially since one
can search by brand and product name. Overall, the print version is much superior and the
website feels like an afterthought.
Widescreen Review
It was one of the leading Home Theater magazines during the laserdisc era, but its
transition to DVD and to the web has not been smooth. The reviews are some of the most
discerning, but the web site is a mess. The search does not work most of the time (good
luck trying to access older titles) and the layout is a dizzying cut-&-paste job. Its
self-imposed limitation of covering only widescreen films excludes any pre-1952 title.
Yahoo's list of
DVD Sites
Yahoo's list of
Laserdisc Sites
NOTE: Things change. Websites
become defunct, new websites enter the fray, websites are upgraded (or degraded), editors
come and go, etc. If you spot a change or want us to list a new website, . |
