CD’s, DVD’s, Discs & Tapes

What is a DVD? and what are the variations such as DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM?

A DVD is a Digital Video disc, and A DVDR is a recordable DVD, and a DVDRW is a re-writable recordable DVD.
There are three main types of DVD: DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW and DVD-RAM. DVD+R and DVD-R are the most common formats and are compatible with the majority of DVD players and computer DVD Roms. The third type, DVD-RAM is less compatible however it offers better recording features, giving greater choice to the user.
DVD-R & DVD-RW was the first format used by standalone DVD players. DVD-R is a write once format and is compatible with about 93% of DVD players and nearly all DVD-ROMS. DVD-RW is a re-writable version compatible with about 80% of DVD players and most DVD-ROMS.

DVD+R & DVD+RW

• DVD+R is a write once format and it is compatible with about 89% of DVD players and most DVD-ROMS.
• DVD+RW is a re-writable format and is compatible with roughly 79% of DVD players and the majority of DVD-ROMS.
• DVD-RAM is the least compatible format, not working in the majority of DVD-ROMS or DVD players. It is primarily used as a memory device within DVD players because of it recording functionality.
  

There are primarily 4 different sizes of DVD:

• DVD-5; supported by DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R and DVD+RW this is the most common DVD and holds 4.37 computer GB, although it is usually called 4.7 GB.
• DVD-10; holds around 8.75 computer GB. This format is supported by both DVD-R and DVD+R as well as DVD-RW and DVD+RW. This is sometimes referred to as a double sided single layered DVD.
• DVD-9; stores around 7.95 computer GB, only DVD+R supports this format. It is sometimes called a single sided dual layered DVD, DVD+R9, DVD+R9 or 8.5 GB media.
• DVD-18; this is the largest and holds around 15.9 computer GB, only DVD+R supports this format.

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What is the difference between different CD’s?

• There are essentially two different types of CD: CD-R and CD-RW.

• CD-R is a recordable CD; it can only be recorded once, with one set of information. Once it has been recorded onto it cannot be re-written on. This format is accepted in all CD Roms.
• CD-RW is a Re-Writable CD, this means it can be written on and then erased and then re-written on time and time again.

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