To many average people who are not so much into technology, the DVD (digital video or versatile disc) itself may already the most advanced digital format in storing data. Yes, it may be so but not quite. It’s time you know that the DVD has advanced into several new formats that boast of greater data storage capacity.
First of all, let’s talk about the different types of DVD that have evolved in recent years. The Blu-ray Disc (BD) was introduced back in 2006 by major electronics companies Sony, Philips and Panasonic to replace the standard DVD. From that time until 2008, another type came out known as the HD (high definition) DVD.
Compared to the original DVD, the Blu-ray disc didn’t succeed quite well in the market. Factors attributed to the lukewarm reception by consumers include the high prices of the Blu-ray disc itself and its players. Additionally, one also needs to have a high definition television unit and connection cables in order to benefit from it. The only positive thing here is that a Blu-ray disc player is able to play any type of DVD.
The introduction of these two new types, however, is not seen to totally eradicate the standard DVD. Experts in the field expect that the original DVD will continue to be used in as much as 97 percent of video productions. In fact, companies involved in DVD manufacturing are positive they will be releasing more standard DVDs this 2009. They strongly believe that the pioneer DVD is by far a better choice for the release of old movies and television programs involved in DVD duplication.
DVD formats are also now available in two major types - the recordable and non-recordable. This makes the DVD a truly versatile medium for storing data, DVD printing and DVD duplication.
Formats for recordable DVD can either be the DVD-R (read), DVD-RW (read, write), DVD-R DL (dual layer) or DVD-RAM. Both the DVD-R and DVD-RW have the same storage capacity of 4.7 GB except that the DVD-RW is a rewritable format. The DVD-R DL has a greater capacity of up to 8.5 GB. The DVD-RAM, on the other hand, can store from 2.6 GB up to a maximum of 9.4 GB. Being double sided discs, this type can be rewritten several times unlike the other rewritable formats. There are other formats that use the + (plus) sign. The difference between the plus and minus signs called physical formats refers to the method of data storage.
As for the formats that are non-recordable, they are the DVD-ROM (read only memory), DVD-D (disposable) and DVD plus. The DVD-ROM has two types of distinct surface colors - gold and silver. It can also have one or two sides and one or two layers. The DVD-D being disposable expires after it reaches its usage limit for a specified number of hours only while the DVD plus features a combination of the CD and DVD technologies.
In understanding these different DVD formats, you should also know that not all DVD manufacturers support all types of formats. This is the reason why until now, the industry has not decided on a standard DVD format despite the widespread usage of this disc such as in DVD production, DVD printing and DVD duplication.