Different DVD Formats

Digital versatile discs abbreviated as DVDs, have proven their versatility. They come in different formats that support various operations on data like writing, editing, rewriting with or without formatting, reallocating space for previously deleted data, etc. Let us look at each of the different DVD formats.

Recordable DVD Formats

• DVD-R: It has the capacity of recording up to 4.7 GB data. Most DVD players can play these DVDs. DVD-R for Authoring is a special-purpose DVD-R format used for recording DVD masters. They require a special type of DVD recorder.
• DVD-RW: It is a rewritable format that can record up to 4.7 GB data.
• DVD-R DL: It is a double-layer DVD-R, which can record up to 8.5 GB data.
• DVD-RAM: They come in varying capacities like 2.6 GB, 4.7 GB and 9.4 GB. Double-sided discs have storage capacities of 9.4 GB. They can be rewritten more number of times than other rewritable DVD formats.
• DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD+R DL are some other recordable DVD formats that are supported by the DVD+RW Alliance. DVD+R and DVD+RW can record 4.7 GB data. DVD+R can record only once, while the DVD+RW is a rewritable DVD format. DVD+R DL are dual layer recordable DVDs with storage capacities of 8.5 GB.

Non-recordable DVD Formats

• DVD-ROM: Their reflective surface is colored golden or silver. They can be single or double-sided and single or double-layered.
• DVD-D: It is a disposable DVD format. This disc format begins to destroy itself by oxidation after a certain span of time.
• DVD Plus: The unique characteristic of this DVD format is that it provides a CD layer and a DVD layer. They thus combine both CD and DVD technologies.

Application Formats

• VR Mode: This DVD format allows editing and deleting of disc data and supports reuse of the space allocated to files that were deleted.
• Video Mode: This application format can be used on DVD-R and DVD-RW discs. The data on the disc cannot be edited and deleting a title does not free the space unless the disc is completely erased. This format does not support defect management.
• +VR: Philips came up with this DVD format for DVD-RW discs. They aimed at keeping this format compatible with the DVD Video format while supporting some new features. However, the drawbacks in the DVD Video format could not be removed, thus making +VR format, less reliable.

Be it any DVD format, one thing you would want to know is, how to copy DVD content onto a hard disc. The process of copying the content on removable media streams to a hard disc is known as ripping. (Read: how to rip DVD to hard drive.) It is often used to shift formats and to edit, duplicate or back up data.

Storage formats like Blu-ray disc (BD), high-definition DVD (HD-DVD) and advanced optical disc (AOD) have succeeded the DVD format. But the popularity of DVDs is still the same. You don't go to buy a Blu-ray disc of your favorite movie or an AOD of computer games. Usually, DVDs are your choice, aren't they? Looks like these very versatile digital discs will stay for long.