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