The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced today that its Recording and Imaging Subcommittee has adopted a standard method for measuring the performance of DVD-Video players based on NTSC specifications. The new standard, designated CEA-896-A - Standard Method of Measurement for DVD-Video Players, was created to make it easier to compare the functionality of DVD-Video players. "This standard defines a comprehensive suite of test signals for DVD-Video players," said Cecil Buckner, chairman of CEA's Recording and Imaging Subcommittee which developed the standard. "Due to its methodical approach, CEA-896-A will significantly ease the process of comparing the performance of different players."

CEA-896-A can be used by manufacturers to gauge the performance of their products and those of their suppliers. It also can be used by consumers and other interested parties who want to evaluate different DVD-Video players. The standard defines test signals and test procedures for measuring different aspects of brightness and color of a DVD-Video player. It also helps measure a DVD player's signal and audio-related characteristics, including the PCM, Dolby(r) AC3 and DTS(r) audio formats.

While CEA-896-A addresses DVD-Video players specifically, a 1990 CEA standard provides similar test and measurement guidance for compact disc players (EIA-560, Standard Method of Measurement for Compact Disc Players).