How different is DVD from DVC?

DVD uses quite a different technology. It's a disk, and like a music CD or computer CD-ROM, it offers superior random access to information stored anywhere on the disk. But a disk cannot hold nearly as much information as tape, which is why DVD uses a much heavier compression scheme than DVC.

While DVD was designed originally for playing back prerecorded movies (manufacturers are working on a standard for recording on DVDs), DVC was designed as a portable record/playback medium. This becomes evident when still frames are viewed. Because of the compression schemes used, DVC has the best still frame images, while a DVD still frame will not be as clear.