Understanding DVD Formats
What's the difference between DVD+RW and DVD-RW? Can
you read DVD-RAM discs in your DVD-ROM drive? Which format would be best for you to use for
your project?
Quick format jump: DVD-ROM
| DVD-R | DVD-RAM
| DVD-RW | DVD+RW
Charts and more: Pros & Cons Chart
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DVD-ROM
(Digital Versatile Disc - Read Only Memory)
A disc that is physically the same size as the CD-ROM, or Compact
Disc, but can store information at much higher densities giving a
greater capacity. DVD-ROMs can currently be made in four physical
formats named DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10 and DVD-18. DVD-5 has a 4.7GB
storage capacity (versus the 650MB standard for a CD-ROM) and stores
the data on one side of the disc in a single layer. This data can be
in the form of software, video (DVD-Video) or audio (DVD-Audio). The
DVD-9 format stores data in dual layers on a single side of the disc
while the DVD-10 and DVD-18 formats use both sides of the disc to
store data in single and dual layers respectively. DVD-ROM discs can
be accessed in set top DVD players and computers equipped with DVD-ROM
drives. These discs cannot be written to by
the user.
DVD-R
(Digital Versatile Disc - Recordable)
A
disc that is equivalent to the DVD-ROM but it can also be recorded to.
The Pioneer DVR-A05U drive can record
on 4.7GB single-sided and 9.4GB double-sided DVD-R discs. DVD-R discs can be accessed in set top DVD
players and computers equipped with DVD-ROM drives. These discs can
only be written to once by the user. There are two types of DVD-R
drives and media. DVD-R for Authoring is supported by the
DVR-S201 and is appropriate for someone who wants to create a disc
that can be used as a master at a duplication house. This is
called the Cutting Master Format (aka CMF). It supports
setting region codes and using copy protection. DVD-R for
General is supported by the DVR-A05U and is appropriate for someone who
only wants to create a few copies of a disc and doesn't need to send
the disc to a duplication house or set region codes. The correct media
must be used with the appropriate drive (i.e. DVD-R for Authoring
discs with a DVD-R for Authoring compatible drive).
DVD-RAM
(Digital Versatile Disc - Random Access Memory)
Differs from the DVD-R in that it is re-writable many times. Discs
are available in capacities of 2.6GB or 4.7GB for single sided discs
and 5.2GB or 9.4GB for double sided discs. The Panasonic LF-D521U
drive can record to and read from these media. DVD-RAM discs
can only be accessed in a DVD-RAM drive. They cannot be used in set
top DVD players or computers equipped with DVD-ROM drives.
DVD-RW
(Digital Versatile Disc - Re-recordable)
A
version of the write-once DVD-R format that can be written to up to
1,000 times. The Pioneer DVR-A05U
drives can record on single-sided 4.7GB
DVD-RW discs. DVD-RW discs can be accessed in set top DVD players and
computers equipped with DVD-ROM drives.
DVD+R
(Digital Versatile Disc + Recordable)
A specification put forward by the DVD+RW Alliance to complement
the DVD+RW format. DVD+R discs can be recorded in 4.7GB capacities. These discs can
only be written to once by the user. DVD+R discs can be accessed in set top DVD players and computers
equipped with DVD-ROM drives.
DVD+RW
(Digital Versatile Disc + Rewritable)
A
different version of a re-writable DVD-R format that is designed to be
more suitable for both real-time video recording and random data
recording. DVD+RW discs can be recorded in 4.7GB capacities.
DVD+RW discs can be accessed in set top DVD players and computers
equipped with DVD-ROM drives.
Pros &
Cons of the different DVD formats:
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