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