ABCs Of DVD Drive Abbreviations

The number of different formats available in DVD drives can be confusing to anyone in the market for one. The list is much longer, but to address a few of the common formats, we have DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM ,DVD+R DL and DVD±RW. Wow! This list of common formats is long enough, no wonder it's confusing!

What's with all the Formats?!

The reason for various recordable DVD formats is that no one group owns the technology and different groups have chosen to support one technology over another. There is no industrial standard for manufacturers to reference, so for the time being consumers will have a few choices.

The first thing to address is DVD itself, which stands for Digital Versatile Disc. Some may argue that the V stands for Video, but with the capability to store video, audio, and data files, Versatile is definitely the keyword.

Start with the Basics

A DVD-ROM drive is the only one we will address that does not record. ROM stands for Read Only Memory, and refers to the typical drive that can merely read DVDs, as well as CDs (all DVD drives can read CDs). The Lite-On LTD-163-DO-R has attributes representative of your typical DVD-ROM drive, and features a maximum DVD read speed of 16x and a maximum CD read speed of 48x.

Before getting into the different recordable formats, let's address the basics of what the R and RW stand for, regardless of whether there is a + or ? in the middle. R stands for Recordable, which indicates that the disk may be recorded to only once. RW stands for ReWritable, which indicates that the disc may be recorded to more than once, and are generally rated for 1000 rewrites under good conditions.

The DVD-R/-RW format was developed by Pioneer, and was the first format compatible with stand alone DVD players. The group that promotes the technology calls itself the DVD Forum, which is "an international association of hardware manufacturers, software firms, content providers, and other users" with notable members such as Hitachi, Samsung, and Toshiba. The DVD-R/-RW format is based on CD-RW technology and uses a similar approach to burning discs.

The DVD+R/+RW format is a newer format, also based on CD-RW technology, and compatible with a large percentage of stand alone DVD players. The +R/+RW technology is not supported by the DVD Forum, and its main backing comes from a group called the DVD+RW Alliance. The Alliance "is a voluntary group of industry-leading personal computing manufacturers, optical storage and electronics manufacturers" with members such as Dell, Hewlett Packard, Sony, and Phillips Electronics.

The DVD-RAM format is based on PD-RW (Phase-Differential) drives, and actually uses a cartridge to hold the media (just like its PD-RW predecessor). Some DVD-RAM cartridges are double sided, making them ideal for companies to use as system backup, hence DVD-RAM is usually found only in commercial applications, and most end-users won't ever need to use or see this type of drive. The DVD-RAM standard is also supported by the DVD Forum just like the DVD-R/RW format. However, because of its use of a cartridge (limiting it's compatibility), and the scarcity and price of the media used, DVD-RAM is a distant third when compared to the DVD+R/+RW and DVD-R/?RW technology.

The +R/+RW and ?R/-RW formats are similar, and the main difference DVD+R technology has is the ability to record to multiple layers (with its new DVD+R DL format), where DVD-R can only record to one layer (not all +R drives are capable of dual layer burning, but no -R drives are). The Plextor PX-504U is an example of an external DVD+R/+RW drive capable of recording single layer discs in the +R/+RW format, but also able to read discs recorded by a DVD-R drive.

What is DVD±RW?

DVD±RW is not actually a separate format, but the designation given to drives capable of both ?R/?RW and +R/+RW operation. This type of drive is typically called a "Dual Drive" (not to be confused with a "Double Layer" drive) since it can write to both the +R/+RW and ?R/?RW formats. The Samsung TS-H552 is a DVD±RW drive capable of reading and writing every format discussed so far, and then some. It takes advantage of DVD+R DL (Double Layer) technology available with the +R format, allowing the appropriate media to store virtually double the 4.37 GB capacity of a typical single layer disc.

The other main thing to consider with DVD burners is selecting the correct media. Media for DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R and DVD+RW media may all look the same, but they are slightly different in order to match the specific recording formats. The price of media for either format is generally the same, with RW media costing a good deal more than R media of either format. Double Layer media is even more expensive, and is the only way for an owner of DVD+R DL drive to take advantage of the tremendous capacity increase. As the amount of Double Layer drives increase in the market, the price of the DVD+R DL media is expected to fall with increased production of the media. DVD Burners (as these drive are often referred to) can be picky about the media supported, so be sure to choose your media wisely.

DVD in a Nutshell

DVD-ROM : Reads DVD discs

DVD+R : Writes to DVD+R media (will also typically write to CD-R and CD-RW media)

DVD+RW : Writes to DVD+RW media (will also typically write to DVD+R, CD-R and CD-RW media)

DVD+R DL : Writes to DVD+R DL (Double Layer) media (will also typically write to DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-R and CD-RW media; many Double Layer drives are ALSO dual drives ? that is, able to write to BOTH +R/RW and ?R/RW media)

DVD-RAM : Writes to DVD-RAM cartridges (not in wide use on consumer market ? mainly a business format; can also read PD-RW discs. Will not usually be able to write to any other format including CD-R or CD-RW)

DVD-R : Writes to DVD-R media (will also typically write to CD-R and CD-RW media)

DVD-RW : Writes to DVD-RW media (will also typically write to DVD-R, CD-R and CD-RW media)

DVD±RW : Writes to DVD-RW and DVD+RW media (will also typically write to DVD-R, DVD+R, CD-R and CD-RW media; typically called "Dual Drives" since it can burn to two different DVD formats)

Final Words

This article took a look at the more common formats of DVD drives in order to shed some light on all the choices available. The differences between them all may be subtle, but the compatibility issues can be quite frustrating. The simple answer to anyone considering a drive is to forget about + and ? by themselves, and shoot for universal compatibility with a good DVD±RW with DVD+R DL support.

http://www.geeks.com/pix/techtips.htm

---

Google News Updated : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:51:55 GMT North Korea Reopens Yongbyon Nuclear Reactor to UN Inspectors - Bloomberg Calgary Herald North Korea Reopens Yongbyon Nuclear Reactor to UN Inspectors Bloomberg - 2 hours ago By Bill Varner Oct. 13 (Bloomberg) -- The United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency was given access today to North Korea's plutonium- producing plant at Yongbyon, a reaction to the US decision to remove the nation from its list of states sponsoring ... NKorea grants UN nuclear watchdog access to Yongbyon: IAEA AFP North Korea allows back nuclear inspectors Christian Science Monitor BBC News - Reuters - United Press International - guardian.co.uk all 3,791 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:38:19 GMT Stocks Soar on Wall Street as Markets Bounce Back from Worst Rout ... - Voice of America China Daily Stocks Soar on Wall Street as Markets Bounce Back from Worst Rout ... Voice of America - 42 minutes ago By Barry Wood The Dow Jones Industrial Average Monday registered its biggest daily point gain ever, gaining 936 points or 11 percent. Wall Street explodes, marks biggest 1-day gain Inland Empire News Dow Surges On Global Bailout Plans NPR Las Vegas Review - Journal - International Herald Tribune - The Associated Press - xchange Magazine all 2,959 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:09:50 GMT Romo Out For a Month - Washington Post Boston Globe Romo Out For a Month Washington Post - 5 hours ago The Dallas Cowboys will be without quarterback Tony Romo for as long as a month because of a broken finger on his throwing hand. Romo suffered a broken right pinkie on the first play of overtime of the Cowboys' loss Sunday at Arizona, according to a ... Romo sidelined with broken finger Sports Network Cowboys' Romo has broken finger, may miss 4 weeks The Associated Press FOXSports.com - Los Angeles Times - Dallas Morning News - WFAA all 692 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:10:26 GMT Palin: We can't let 'leftist groups…steal this election' - CNN Political Ticker Seattle Post Intelligencer Palin: We can't let 'leftist groups…steal this election' CNN Political Ticker - 1 hour ago “The truth is that far-left groups in this country will do anything to help the Obama-Biden Democrats win the White House and maintain their majorities in Congress,â€� Alaska Gov. Voter registration boom favors Obama Washington Post NC elections broad probes ACORN forms AZ Central.com WJHG-TV - Boston Herald - WJRT - ABC News all 1,325 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:39:24 GMT Britain withdraws terror detention law after defeat - AFP Telegraph.co.uk Britain withdraws terror detention law after defeat AFP - 50 minutes ago LONDON (AFP) - The British government on Monday withdrew a plan to extend the time suspected violent extremists can be held without charge after the House of Lords voted against it. House of Lords deals fatal blow to 42-day terror detention plans Times Online Ministers drop 42-day detention BBC News Xinhua - Telegraph.co.uk - Scotsman - ABC Online all 559 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:01:32 GMT Caffeine Consumption Doesn't Raise Overall Breast Cancer Risk - Washington Post Telegraph.co.uk Caffeine Consumption Doesn't Raise Overall Breast Cancer Risk Washington Post - 1 hour ago By Alan Mozes MONDAY, Oct. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Drinking coffee or consuming other caffeine-laden foods does not appear to boost breast cancer risk, new research indicates. Caffeine, Breast Cancer Link Minimal WebMD Caffeine 'can increase breast cancer risk' Telegraph.co.uk Science Daily (press release) - MedPage Today - ABC7Chicago.com - Reuters India all 63 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:00:13 GMT Rangers Prospect Cherepanov Dies After Collapsing During Game - New York Times New York Times Rangers Prospect Cherepanov Dies After Collapsing During Game New York Times - 1 hour ago By Stu Hackel Nineteen-year-old Russian forward Alexei Cherepanov, who was a Rangers first-round draft choice in 2007 and considered one of the organization’s top prospects, died on Monday after collapsing near the end of a game between his KHL team ... Cherepanov collapses on bench during game, dies at 19 ESPN Rangers prospect dies during game in Russia The Associated Press FOXSports.com - Sports Network - Los Angeles Times - Washington Post all 202 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:37:16 GMT Clickbank RSS Feeds Work At Home

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Printer Ink Cartridges - The History

You are working at your computer and trying to print... Read More

Setting up a Network -- Wired or Wireless?

To Wire or Not to Wire Wireless networks... Read More

Types Of Laptop Batteries

Throughout the years there have been many technologies involved with... Read More

Tips To Select Proper Motherboard

Selecting motherboard is really simple. As name suggests "Motherboard" acts... Read More

7 Steps to Cleaning the Laser Toner From Your Laser Printer

Cleaning a laser printer, fax, or copier of laser toner... Read More

How to Get the Case Off Your PC!

This is the first step to servicing, upgrading or removing... Read More

Basics of RAID

A couple of the recent Tech Tips from www.geeks.com have... Read More

Surge Protector: A Simple Mechanism Description

A surge protector [AKA surge suppressor] is an electrical plug-in... Read More

Your Hard Drive is Going to Explode ? Why a UPS is Essential

It's most peoples worst computing nightmare. You wake up in... Read More

HIPPA Goes Mobile and Wireless for Hospitals and First Responders

It appears we need to further streamline health care and... Read More

Expert Guide to DVD Camcorders

Thinking about a mini DVD camcorder? You're not alone, it's... Read More

Getting A Great Refurbished Laptop

Are you sick of all the high priced notebooks out... Read More

Used Laptop Computer: Your Quick Purchase Inspection Guide ? Part 3

Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you... Read More

The Printer Cartridge Game

Think you got a great deal on a printer? Like... Read More

RFID for Beginners

RFID technology is used frequently today and has been around... Read More

Obsolete Is A Dirty Word (Intel Pentium 64 Bit Microchip)

Get ready everyone, home computers are about to set new... Read More

Flash Your ATI Video Cards BIOS

Flash your ATI video card BIOS.You will need the following:1.... Read More

What is Over-clocking a Processor?

Q : What is over clocking?Overclocking is when you make... Read More

A Short Introduction to Blu Ray

Blu ray is a next generation optical media format developed... Read More

How to Check Your IP

So you need to check your IP address, for whatever... Read More

An Introduction to Tape Backup

If you run a small business, chances are you're saving... Read More

Facing DVD Software Dilemma? Its Brainlessly Simple

1. Pocket DVD Wizard http://www.deprice.com/pocketdvdwizard.htmThe Pocket DVD Wizard allows you... Read More

Buying Cheap Refurbished Laptops

When comparing refurbished laptop models, ask about these specifications:Central Processing... Read More

Ceramic Disc Capacitor-How to Accurately Test It

The last article I mentioned about electrolytic capacitor breakdown when... Read More

Understanding Transistor Data and Replacement

If, for some reason, you can't get an exact replacement... Read More