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Blu-RayDVD, which stands for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc (depending on who you ask), is the latest development in optical disc storage technology. A single DVD-ROM is the same size as a CD-ROM, about five inches in diameter, but it can have the equivalent storage capacity of up to 25 CDs and can contain video, audio, and computer data. Information can be stored on one or both sides of a DVD disc.
DVD RECORDERS
DVD-R and DVD+R are different competing standards for recordable DVDs. DVD-R is more compatible with older devices such as DVD-ROMs and DVD players, but DVD+R is superior on a technical level. Both of them hold 4.37GB (or thereabouts) per disc.
Then there's DVD+R DL (dual-layer), which is a higher-capacity (and significantly more expensive) version of the DVD+R spec. It holds roughly 2 times the amount of data per disc--close to 9GB per disc.
Almost all DVD burners these days can do at least DVD+/-R and probably DVD+/-RW (which are also different from the plain +/-R specs) as well. So, it probably doesn't matter what media you buy so far as it being +/-R. But it's a good idea to check your burner to see what disc types it takes, just so you don't wind up with a bunch of useless discs.
Dual-layer DVD formats
Dual Layer DVD
July 27, 2004
DVD 16x Dual-Format Drive Reaches 8.5 GB+ Capacity
The innovative DVD+RW/-RW drive adds the ability to store more than 12 CDs of data on a single 8.5 GB DVD+R DL (double layer) disc, giving users
a new tool for managing their videos, data, music and photos.
By using two recording layers rather than one, the Super DVD Writer 16x Dual-Format drive can give users a total of 8.5 GB capacity on new DVD+R DL discs. Double-layer discs offer
50+ percent more capacity than previous-generation 4.7 GB DVD discs.
DVD+R DL is a "write-once" recording standard. A double-layer DVD+R DL disc contains two recording layers of organic dye film. The top layer is semi-transparent, allowing the recording laser to focus on either the top layer or the bottom layer. When the laser heats microscopic regions on one of the recording layers, it creates permanent dots in the organic dye film. The resulting data can be read in virtually any standard DVD player or DVD-ROM drive.
Blue Ray and HD-DVD
2-19-08
Blu-Ray WINS the format race - Toshiba delivers its Betamax address
Toshiba officially dropped its plans for HD DVD Tuesday after Wal-Mart, Best
Buy, Netflix and a parade of others abandoned the high-definition video format
for Sony's Blu-ray. Wal-Mart put the nail in the coffin and HD DVD was doomed.
Simply put, Toshiba has been Betamaxed.
1-2008
The big buzz today around CNET offices in New York is the news that Warner Bros. Entertainment has decided to stop making HD DVD discs and will become a Blu-ray-only studio at the end of May. Needless to say, this is a major blow to the HD DVD camp, which earlier this year struck a deal with Paramount to go HD DVD exclusive. You could say this is a tit-for-tat move by Sony and the Blu-ray camp, but it's actually more of a clubbing because Warner has a much bigger library of movies than Paramount.
Now what? Has HD DVD lost? We will see.
From: http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9840585-1.html
3-
2007
Further blurring
the line of which format is technically superior, Toshiba has announced
that it has successfully created a triple-layer HD DVD disc that holds 51
GB of data. It has begun the process of submitting it for regulatory
approval.
Blu-ray Disc (BD) has been regarded as the winner in terms of capacity since the beginning of the next-generation format war. However, the 51 GB HD DVD would slightly overpower BD, which currently has a maximum capacity of 50 GB. Previously, HD DVDs were only available in 15 GB and 30 GB capacities.
HD DVD and Blue Ray are competing formats and not compatible with each other. (VHS and Beta like). You will need new pricey burners to burn them. HD DVD burners won't burn Blue Ray (and the other way around). HD DVD is more cost effective to manufacture and disks are more durable.
1-2007
LG officially unveiled the BH100, the first device to play both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. It's
about $1,200, and the HD DVD functionality lacks that format's HDi interactivity features--this breakthrough player is the first model that's essentially future-proof. High-definition cinephiles will be able to buy movies on either format without fear of backing the wrong horse.
The BH100 is already on store shelves.
...and the combo discs: LG offered hardware détente, while Warner took the software angle. Warner's new Total HD format (THD) puts an HD DVD and a Blu-ray version of the same movie on a single disc, which Warner pledges will sell for the same price as its single-format counterpart. Like the LG, it's a great hedge against the uncertain HD future.
51GB triple-layer HD DVD disc: Size matters, and Blu-ray has long been trumpeting its 50GB dual-layer disc capacity over HD DVD's 30GB. The underdog struck back with news of a 51GB triple-layer prototype. That puts HD DVDs ahead by a nose--at least until Blu-ray's rumored quad-layer 100GB discs hit the streets.
From CNET Networks and Tom's Hardware
Q&A
What does DVD mean?
DVD initially stood for Digital Video Disc since the format was primarily going to be used for commercial movie releases, a successor to VHS. Since DVD can also be used for many other uses (eg. data and
audio), DVD has now become short for Digital Versatile Disc.
What are the different recordable DVD formats?
There are currently 5 formats used for recording DVDs. Each format requires its own special media.
The DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM formats were created by the DVD Forum (www.dvdforum.com).
The DVD+R and DVD+RW formats were created by the DVD+RW Alliance (www.dvdrw.com).
Due to business competition, two groups created the formats listed above. It was hoped that one group’s formats would be agreed upon to create a single unified standard prior to wide market adoption. With little or no agreement foreseen, each “group” has since released their own hardware creating confusion for the end-user.
Since no one group has “won” the standards competition, it is safe to assume that none of the above listed standards will become the one de-facto standard any time soon. To give the user the freedom of choice, some DVD drives support ALL of the above listed formats, allowing the user to decide what format best suits their needs. The user no longer has to worry about whether or not they made the correct choice.
What is the major difference between a CD and a DVD disc?
In essence, a DVD is a larger capacity CD. The method of reading and writing DVDs and CDs is very similar. The physical size of both discs is the same.
Q: What is MPEG-2? Is it similar to MP3?
A: MPEG-2 is the video format used on DVD-Video discs. MP3 is a format used for compressed music files. The software provided with your DVD drive should automatically take your video clips and convert them to MPEG-2 to ensure that your created DVD-Video can be shared with anyone with a DVD player.
Q: I have a DV camera so the video is already digital. Can I burn that directly to a DVD-Video?
A: Even though a DV file is in digital format, this format is not a DVD-Video format. All DV video must be converted to MPEG-2 to be burned to a DVD. The software included with your DVD drive will perform this conversion automatically.
Why does it take so long when creating a DVD-Video?
The converting of video files into MPEG-2 video to be burned onto the DVD is very computationally intensive. The faster your computer is, the shorter the time it will take to convert the video. This is a necessary step in creating your own DVD-Video. Depending on the speed of your computer, the length of the video to encode, the quality of the video to be created and the source format of the video, the encoding time could range from minutes to hours.
Can I create movies to a CD?
Yes, you can. When you create a movie on a CD, it will use MPEG-1 as the format and create a CD known as a VideoCD (VCD).
To play a VCD in a Living room DVD player, you must ensure that your DVD player can play VCDs. A VCD is comparable to VHS in quality, has only stereo sound, and cannot hold as much information as a DVD-Video.
How long of a movie can I burn to a DVD?
This depends on the quality of the video to be burned. Approximately 2 hours of high quality video to 3 hours of good quality video can be recorded to a recordable DVD.
What format will probably be most compatible with my DVD player?
DVD+R or DVD-R media will be most compatible for your DVD player. DVD-RW and DVD+RW will be less compatible. Please check the documentation that came with your DVD player to determine which formats your player will read. DVD-RAM support in your DVD player will be extremely rare.
How do I get video from my camera to the computer?
For analog video cameras and VCRs, you will need an analog capture device to get the video into the computer. If you have a DV video camera, a FireWire card will suffice in getting the video into the computer.
Can I copy VHS tapes to a DVD?
Yes you can. With home VHS tapes, simply capture the video using an analog capture device from such companies as Dazzle or ADS. Once the video is recorded, it can be burned to a DVD. However, it should be noted that the video quality will be similar to a VHS tape, even though it is on a DVD.
Commercial VHS tapes that are purchased or rented may not capture properly due to copy protection built into VCRs.
Can I change the content on a DVD-Video once its completed?
With Sonic MyDVD software and their OpenDVD™ format, you can edit OpenDVD-compliant DVDs and VCDs you've already created without eating up hard disk space.
What should I look for when purchasing a DVD player if I want to play movies I have created?
When purchasing a home DVD player, the player should support one or all of the recordable formats, namely supported formats of the player. DVD-RAM support will be highly unlikely and unnecessary.
DVD/CD-R Software
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