DVD Media Types

There are many types of recordable DVD media including:

• DVD Audio provides higher-quality audio than available from current CDs. including Dolby Digital AC-3 and surround sound. A DVD Audio disc will hold at least 2 hours of full surround sound audio
• DVD+R is a write-once variation of DVD+RW that is playable in most DVD players
• DVD-R used mostly for computer DVD drives and some DVD players. DVD-R offers a write-once, read-many storage format similar to CD-R. DVD-R was introduced by Pioneer in 1998.
• DVD+RW is a rewritable format that provides full compatibility with existing DVD-Video players and DVD-ROM drives. This format is used by Hewlett-Packard, Mitsubishi Chemical, Philips, Ricoh, Sony and Yamaha.
• DVD-RW is a rewritable DVD format similar to DVD+RW. A DVD-RW has a read-write capacity of 4.7 GB. DVD-RW is mainly used for computer DVD drives for storing data. DVD-RW was introduced by Pioneer.
• DVD-RAM is rewritable DVD disc that offers better storage capacity and fast data access which can be handy for video editting. DVD-RAM discs can be rewritten up to 100,000 times. They come in the double-sided (9.4 GB capacity) and single-sided (4.7 GB) and are available in cartridges for extra protection. One side holds about two hours of high-quality video and audio. Some DVD recorders have selectors that allow you to record for longer times but with less quality. DVD-RAM discs can be played back on our DVD-RAM-compatible DVD home players and portable players. DVD-Video players cannot read DVD-RAM media.