| Getting familiar with recordable DVD formats | | | | as a normal floppy or hard drive via Explorer |
| Probably everyone nowadays had a need to | | | | or other file manager. The support for |
| transfer information between several PC's or | | | | EasyWrite also will be included in new |
| make a backup copy of favorite movie. | | | | Microsoft Windows Vista as a standard |
| Recordable DVDs (DVD-Rs) serve this purpose | | | | option.4. In addition to everything above, |
| very well, but it could be quite hard to get | | | | maximum writing speed for DVD+RW is about |
| familiar with all the different types of | | | | twice faster than for DVD-RW.However, DVD+RW |
| them. While in CD era there were only two | | | | format also has some drawbacks.For example, |
| formats, namely CD-R for recordable and CD-RW | | | | DVD+RW is less compatible compared to DVD-RW, |
| for rewritable disk, for DVD it is not that | | | | and the probability of running into |
| simple. The fight between manufacturers to | | | | incompatible DVD drive is higher, no matter |
| enforce their own formats led to the mess of | | | | what the press-releases and advertisements |
| the biblical scale. Besides DVD-R and DVD-RW, | | | | claim. Compatibility becomes even bigger |
| in most shops it is possible to encounter | | | | issue for old DVD drives.DVD+RW and DVD+R |
| DVD+R, DVD+RW and even mysterious DVD-RAM. | | | | have a special protection system designed for |
| And there is no guarantee that your DVD drive | | | | them, called VCPS (Video Content Protection |
| will be able to work with newly purchased | | | | System for DVD+R/+RW). It has all the |
| disk.In this article we will try and help | | | | features of CPRM (which is for DVD-RRW) and |
| users to get familiar with this mess.DVD-ROM | | | | also supports limitations in copying of |
| (DVD Read Only Memory). Generic | | | | protected digital broadcasts. However, such |
| factory-printed DVD. All mass-production DVDs | | | | innovations are usually welcomed only by |
| with movies, software etc are printed on | | | | movie and video producers and generally |
| DVD-ROM.DVD-R(DVD-Recordable - pronounced as | | | | provide only nuisance for users.DVD+R |
| "DVD Are" or "DVD Dash Are"). This is the | | | | Although it might seem strange, DVD+R was |
| first format for recordable DVDs. It was | | | | introduced by the same DVD+RWAlliance later |
| developed in 1995 by Pioneer and was approved | | | | than DVD+RW, namely in 2002, which is the |
| by DVD-Forum as a main standard for | | | | reason why it is possible to encounter DVD |
| recordable DVD. Basically, this formatis | | | | drives that can work with DVD+RW but are |
| direct analogue of CD-R but with bigger | | | | totally incompatible with DVD+R. The |
| capacity and, respectively, smaller track | | | | introduction of DVD+R was more of a step back |
| size. As with CD-R, record is made by | | | | for the developers, as the only thing they |
| altering the structure of organic polymer in | | | | have to do to create DVD+R is to change the |
| reflective layer with powerful laser. DVD-R | | | | substance in reflective layer of DVD+RW from |
| can be recorded only once, but it is | | | | rewritable to the one that support only one |
| compatible with most DVD players and computer | | | | cycle of writing. Due to this, DVD+R is |
| DVD drives. Properly stored and unscratched | | | | actually missing some of useful features of |
| DVD is believed to remain readable for | | | | DVD+RW, such as improved error handling. |
| hundreds of years.Initially DVD-R was only | | | | There is also dual layer version of DVD+R, |
| single-layered, but recently double-layer | | | | called DVD+R DL or DVD+R9 (actually, it |
| DVD-R DL (dual layer) becomes available. They | | | | appeared earlier thanDVD-R9). In general, |
| are also known as DVD-R9, however, they are | | | | DVD+R does not differ much from |
| still uncommon and they can be recorded only | | | | DVD-R.DVD-RAMInitially DVD-RAM (DVD-Random |
| on newest models of DVD burners. Trying to | | | | Access Memory) was developed for back-up |
| record these disks in non-compatible drive | | | | storage, but later it's capabilities in |
| can actually lead to the DVD burner | | | | handling video became evident, so now there |
| damage.There are two types of DVD-R disks: | | | | are many home DVD-RAM camcorders and DVD-RAM |
| DVD-R Authoring (DVD-R (A)) and DVD-R General | | | | recorders which are aimed to replace |
| (DVD-R (G)).DVD-R (A) type of disks appears | | | | VHS.Although DVD-RAM format was developed by |
| first and was used only for professional | | | | Panasonic in compliance with DVD Forum, it is |
| needs. This type of disk allows recording of | | | | much different from DVD-R and DVD-RW. The |
| anything, including hidden area and keys, | | | | chemical part of the process is essentially |
| which means that It can be used as a | | | | the same as in DVD-RW, but the logical part |
| master-copy for mass-production.Devices and | | | | more resembles the operation of hard disk |
| disks compatible with DVD-R(A) are | | | | drive. From the very beginning DVD-RAM is |
| professional equipment and therefore very | | | | divided into several sectors. Data is |
| expensive and uncommon.DVD-R General (G) is | | | | recorded not in circular track as in normal |
| much more common. It was developed later | | | | DVD and CD but is directed in certain sector, |
| specifically for the needs of common users. | | | | without particular order. During reading of |
| This type of disks does not allow making a | | | | the disk this allows to find the desired file |
| full copy of protected DVD - no keys will be | | | | fast and easily by addressing appropriate |
| recorded and resulting disk simply will not | | | | sector. Besides, this layout allows reading |
| play. On the other hand, there are lots of | | | | and writing information simultaneously. |
| devices and blank DVD-R son the market for | | | | Interestingly enough, DVD-RAM does not |
| this type of disks, and they also quite | | | | require any special software for recording; |
| inexpensive. DVD-R (G) devices can read DVD-R | | | | it can be accessed in the same manner as |
| (A) disks but cannot record anything on | | | | normal hard drive or floppy disk.Although |
| them.Unlike CD-R, DVD-R shave a special copy | | | | DVD-RAM can withstand more writing cycles |
| protection called CPRM, which stands for | | | | (about 100000) than DVD-RW, it is |
| Content Protection for Recordable Media. Each | | | | substantially more fragile and have to be |
| blank DVD-R has inerasable encrypted entry | | | | handled with much greater care. For this |
| (lead in) in hidden area of the disk, which | | | | reason many DVD-RAMs are being sold in |
| contains information about type of medium and | | | | special cartridges, however, if disk is |
| manufacturer. When backup copy of protected | | | | single-sided, it can be removed from |
| DVD is made, copy program will re-encode the | | | | cartridge temporarily as some DVD-RAM |
| information again, but this time using this | | | | recorders have normal CD tray instead of |
| hidden information, so twill not be possible | | | | cartridge loader.Some DVD-RAM disks are |
| to copy the resulting disk again as it will | | | | actually sold without any case at all. These |
| require hidden information from specific | | | | disks require extreme caution during |
| medium. This type of copy protection also | | | | use.However, despite being extremely fragile, |
| supported by other DVD-Forum formats, namely | | | | DVD-RAM has most reliable error checking. If |
| DVD-RW and DVD-RAM.DVD-RW DVD-RW (DVD | | | | error is discovered during burning process, |
| ReWritable) was also developed by the Pioneer | | | | data is simply recorder in different sector; |
| and essentially is the same DVD-R with only | | | | while in any other DVD format disk will |
| difference that reflective layer's state can | | | | become completely unreadable.Speaking of |
| be transformed by the laser more than once. | | | | compatibility, any DVD-RAM recorder will have |
| The specifications for DVD-RW states that | | | | no troubles reading DVD-R and DVD-RW formats. |
| each DVD-RW medium should withstand up to | | | | However, only few drives will be able to read |
| 1000 rewriting cycles. The reflectivity of < | | | | DVD-RAM format. Unfortunately, DVD-RAM is |
| b>DVD-RWs is much less then of DVD-R and some | | | | much less common compared to other formats of |
| DVD drives can mistake them for dual-layer | | | | recordable DVD's and therefore the price for |
| DVD. For this reason DVD-RW are compatible | | | | both drives and disks is still relatively |
| with only approximately 70% of existing DVD | | | | high.DVD+VR, DVD-VR DVDs can be recorded in |
| players.Early models of DVD-drives required | | | | two modes - Video Format and Video Recording |
| DVD-RW to be finalized in order to read it | | | | Format (DVD-VR). First one is compliant with |
| properly; however, with the appearance of new | | | | DVD-Video standard and is compatible with any |
| drives this is not necessary anymore in most | | | | equipment (this format is used for factory |
| cases. It is also not necessary to write at | | | | DVD-Video disks and for video data on DVD-R). |
| least 1 GB on a disk. Files of any size, no | | | | DVD-RV mode can be altered after recording |
| matter how small can be recorded now.Dual | | | | and does not require copy to hard drive in |
| layer DVD-RW, called DVD-RW DL with capacity | | | | order to edit disk contents. It is possible |
| up to 8.54GB of data is about to appear soon. | | | | to add, cut and delete video data for the |
| Currently it is being developed by Ricoh; | | | | disks written in DVD-VR mode, it is also |
| unfortunately, it won't be compatible with | | | | possible to add more chapters or change menu. |
| current DVD-drives and for this reason is | | | | This can be done for both DVD-RW and DVD-RAM |
| unlikely to ever become popular. Besides, | | | | (for DVD-RAM it is actually the only |
| high capacity Blue-Ray and HD DVD are also | | | | available mode).For DVD+RW there exists |
| coming soon.DVD+RWDespite the decision of | | | | slightly better version of DVD-VR called |
| DVDForum, DVD+RW (DVD ReWritable, pronounced | | | | DVD+VR. Some of the positive differences from |
| as DVD plus R) format was founded and | | | | DVD-VR are the possibility of creation of |
| promoted by coalition of developers called | | | | full-fledged menus up to 30megabytes in size, |
| DVD+RW Alliance. First version of DVD+RW, | | | | while DVD-VR can only generate standard |
| presented in 1997, was able to hold only 2.8 | | | | play-lists. It is also possible to delete |
| GB of data (compared with 4.7 for DVD-RW). | | | | data from DVD+VR anytime, while in DVD-VR it |
| These disks also weren't compatible with | | | | has to be done only prior to recording of new |
| normal DVD players and, basically, all of | | | | data. And the most important thing - DVD-VR |
| these were the reasons for DVD Forum not to | | | | disks can only be played on DVD Burner or |
| accept this standard.later developers managed | | | | home DVD Recorder, while DVD+VR can be viewed |
| to improve both flaws but even after this, | | | | on any device capable of reading DVD+RW.Not |
| DVD+RW didn't become a standard. As a result, | | | | long ago the selection of preferred format |
| DVD+RW can only reviewed a potential | | | | was an important question, as after |
| alternative to DVD-RW. However, DVD+RW is not | | | | selecting, for example, DVD-R compatible |
| without some pleasant features that DVD-RW | | | | device the user have to live with the fact |
| misses:1. Lossless linking technology allows | | | | that the device won't be able to read or |
| editing of the recorded disk on sector level, | | | | write DVD+R. It was also dangerous to use |
| which means that, unlike in DVD-RW, there is | | | | DVD-RW or DVD+RW as a floppy to transfer |
| no need to rewrite whole disk when only | | | | data, because, unlike CD-RW, there was a |
| certain parts of it needs to be changed.2. | | | | chance that there will be incompatible drive |
| DVD+RW format has better facility for error | | | | in other computer.Luckily enough, these |
| handling. If certain sector wasn't recorded | | | | problems are now gone.Summary After the |
| properly, it is rewritten again, more | | | | appearance of first multi-format device on |
| carefully. Also during the process of disk | | | | the market, any modern DVD drive now supports |
| creation DVD Burner is able to determine the | | | | almost all of available formats, and the |
| address of sector that is being recorded, so | | | | selection of desired type of DVD can be made |
| if the record process is interrupted, it is | | | | several times a day, depending on particular |
| possible to resume it from the same position | | | | task. The only sad thing that the mess with |
| where it stopped.3. DVD+RW format supports | | | | DVD formats was sorted too late, as |
| EasyWrite(Mt. Rainier) technology, which in | | | | completely new formats of disks are already |
| conjunction with special software such as | | | | emerging.Artem Chlegov is a editor and writer |
| DirectCD or InCD allows using DVD+RW medium | | | | for - a DVD software review website. |