- This page last updated on 2 Sep 2017
When DVD technology first appeared, users were simply popping DVD discs into their DVD players to watch movies - an option to the then-conventional VCR. But just as compact disc technology evolved so that users could record and erase and re-record data onto compact discs, the same is now true of DVDs. But with so many different formats -- DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-ROM -- how do users know which DVD format is compatible with their existing systems, and why are there so many different formats for DVDs? The following information sheds some light on DVD's different flavors, the differences between them and the incompatibility issues that the differing technologies have sprouted. NOTE: There is a difference between - and + formats. CD-R is different than CD+R.
CD-ROM - Read Only Disk. You can't add or delete information on a CD-ROM. Capacity 650 MB.
CD-R (CD Minus R) - You can burn files to a CD-R more than once (session), but you can't delete files from the disc. Each burn is permanent. Capacity 650MB and 700 MB. You must close the session to read this disc in a different computer. Highly compatible with most computers and devices.
CD-RW (CD MINUS RW) - You can burn files more than once. You can also delete unwanted files. A CD-RW can be burned and erased many times. Capacity 650MB
DVD-ROM - Read Only Disk. You can't add or delete information on a DVD-ROM. Capacity 4.7GB
DVD-R - You can burn files to a DVD-R more than once (session), but you can't delete files from the disc. Each burn is permanent. Capacity 4.7GB. You must close the session to read this disc in a different computer. Highly compatible with most computers and devices
DVD+R - You can burn files to a DVD+R more than once (session), but you can't delete files from the disc. Each burn is permanent. Capacity 4.7GB. You must close the session to read this disc in a different computer. Highly compatible with most computers and devices
DVD-RW You can burn files more than once. You can also delete unwanted files. A DVD-RW can be burned and erased many times. Capacity 4.7GB.
DVD+RW You can burn files more than once. You can also delete unwanted files. A DVD+RW can be burned and erased many times. Capacity 4.7GB
DVD RAM - You can burn files more than once. You can also delete unwanted files. A DVD-RAM can be burned and erased many times. Capacity 2.6GB, 4.7GB, 5.2GB, 9.4GB.
There is a difference between the "MINUS" and "PLUS formats.
DVD-R (pronounced "DVD dash R") and DVD+R (pronounced "DVD plus R") are nearly
identical formats. The discs look the same and are both supported by most
DVD-ROM drives and DVD burners. The only difference between the formats is the
way they determine the location of the laser beam on the disc. DVD-R discs use
tiny marks along the grooves in the discs, called land prepits, to determine the
laser position. DVD+R discs do not have land prepits, but instead measure the
"wobble frequency" as the laser moves toward the outside of the disc.
The DVD-R format was developed by Pioneer and was released in the second half of
1997. DVD+R was developed by Sony and Philips and was introduced in 2002.
Companies that support DVD-R include Pioneer, Toshiba, Hitachi, and Panasonic,
while companies that support DVD+R include Sony, Philips, Hewlett-Packard,
Ricoh, and Yamaha.
However, most of these companies now develop hybrid DVD drives that support both
DVD-R and DVD+R formats. They are known as DVD?R or DVD?RW drives. When looking
for media for your DVD drive, make sure it ends in "-R" if you have a DVD-R
drive or "+R" if you have a DVD+R drive. If you have a DVD?R drive, you can use
either format. DVD-R is still more popular than DVD+R, but since they are both
widely supported, it should not matter which format you choose.
Now comes along and entirely new format called BLUE-RAY. Blue-Ray will eventually replace CD's and DVD's. It's main uses are for storing HIGH-DEFINITION video, Play Station 3 Video Games. They can store 25GB on single layered and 50GB on dual layered disc.
The Blue Ray disc has the same physical dimensions as the standard CD and DVD. Blue Ray Players will play CD's and DVD's, but not the other way around. If you purchase a Blue Ray disk you will also have to purchase a Blue Ray player or disk drive.
- This page last updated on 2 Sep 2017