DVD-R Media

General DVD-R Information

1.  What kind of digital information can I record on a Blank DVD-R? DVD-R is a write-once media that you can use to record video, audio, images, data files, drawings, multimedia presentations or programs, etc.
2.  What does DVD-R mean? Some say DVD stands for Digital Versatile Disc. Others say DVD stands for Digital Video Disc.
3.  Why can you record more information on a Blank DVDR disc than on a CD-R disc? The extra capacity of a DVD-R disc comes from smaller track pitch and smaller data marks (pits). The track pitch on a 3.95 GB DVD-R disc is 0.8 microns, one-half the track pitch of a CD-R. The track pitch on a 4.7 GB disc is 0.74 microns. Hardware changes in the recorders allow the creation of data marks approximately one-half the size of those made on CD-R media (0.40 microns versus 0.834 microns). The recording laser's wavelength and focusing lens' numerical aperture were changed. Because of this, a CD-R/CD-RW drive cannot be used to write DVD-R media. Additionally, DVD-R substrates are injection molded to one-half the thickness of a CD-R. Two DVD-R substrates are bonded together creating multiple recording surfaces.
4.  What recording speed does DVDR media support? Data is written to a DVD-R disc at 11.08 megabits per second (mbps) or faster, depending on the drive specifications. At DVD 1X, 11.08 mbps, a complete 3.95 GB single-sided disc is written in approximately 50 minutes (disc-at-once). Consult drive specifications for 'recording speed' as this capability is changing, and dependent on the drive, not on the media.
5.  Can I erase data written on DVDR media? Once recorded, data cannot be erased, unless it is a DVD-RW disc.
6.  Is the size of a DVD-R disc the same as a CD-R disc? Dimensionally, DVD-R discs and CD-R discs are identical.
7.  What is the difference between DVD-R Authoring and DVD-R General (Purpose)? DVD-R General drives record DVD-R media at 650 N.M., while DVD-R Authoring drives record DVD-R media at 635 N.M.. Therefore, a DVD-R Authoring disc cannot be written on a drive that specifies DVD-R General media (650 N.M.), and vise versa.