Post EditedA link to a DVD FAQ page that could be helpful for newbies.
DVD FAQ
And here's a less technical
FAQ page from Amazon with anwers to the following questions:
What makes DVDs so much better than VHS videocassettes?
What's the difference between Dolby Surround, Dolby Digital 5.1, and DTS?
What is a dual-layered DVD?
What's the difference between widescreen and anamorphic?
What about the pan-and-scan and full-frame (or full-screen) formats?
What's the difference between "close-captioned" and "subtitled"?
Why do some DVDs require flipping from one side to the other?
What's the difference between PAL and NTSC?
What is region encoding?
What is Regional Code Enhancement (RCE)?
Can I play imported DVDs on my player?
What is progressive-scan technology?
How can a DVD offer parental control or parental locking of potentially offensive material?
Can I play DVD-ROM materials on my DVD player?
What's a "fully loaded DVD"?
What does "THX certified" mean?
What is "Infinifilm"?
What is "Superbit"?
What are test discs?
What are "Easter eggs"?
DVD: Frequently Asked Questions