The advantages of DVD formats are:

• Digital audio/video storage; high-quality audio/video recording; picture quality that does not deteriorate.
• Instant search to a desired point via an on-screen menu or a chapter menu.
• Compact and takes up little storage space.

• DVD-R (Recordable)

  Max. number of times a disc can be recorded: 1

  Data capacity¹: 4.7 GB

  DVD-R was officially approved by the DVD Forum as a “Write-Once” format, and allows recording only once like CD-R. Since DVD-R format was originally created to make a master disc or sample verification disc in developing DVD-ROM and DVD VIDEO, it has similar high compatibility characteristics.

  The data capacity for DVD-R Ver.2.0 (approved May 2000 as an authoring format, and February as a general format) or later versions is specified as 4.7 GB, which is the same as the rewritable DVD formats.

  ¹1 GB (Gigabyte) represents 1,000,000,000 bytes in all instances.

• DVD+R (+Recordable)

  Max. number of times a disc can be recorded: 1

  Data capacity¹: 4.7 GB

  Based on the DVD+RW format, the DVD+RW Alliance formulated DVD+R in January 2002 as a Write-Once format for the long-term storage of important data, since it does not allow for overwriting (such as accidental erasure).

  Its disc face is more reflective than DVD+RW, resulting in higher playback compatibility with existing devices.

  ¹1 GB (Gigabyte) represents 1,000,000,000 bytes in all instances.

• DVD-RW (Re-recordable)

  Max. number of times a disc can be recorded: 1,000 (approx.)

  Data capacity¹: 4.7 GB (single-sided) / 9.4 GB (double-sided)

  DVD-RW is the rewritable version of Write-Once DVD-Rs and is approved by the DVD Forum. DVD-RW has a similar physical format to read-only DVDs and features two recording formats: DVD Video recording and DVD Video (or VR mode and Video mode).

  The DVD Video Recording format was included in the initial Ver.1.0 specifications, and in March 2000, the DVD Video format that allows for playback on DVD players was included in Ver.1.1.

  Furthermore, CPRM-compatible DVD-RW Ver.1.1 can record TV programs that contain CPRM signals².

  A DVD-RW can be rewritten approximately 1,000 times.

  ¹1 GB (Gigabyte) represents 1,000,000,000 bytes in all instances.

  ²will not play on other DVD players, or DVD recorders not conforming to CPRM.

• DVD+RW (+Re-Writable)

  Max. number of times a disc can be recorded: 1,000x (approx).

  Data capacity¹: 4.7 GB

  DVD+RW was made public by the DVD+RW Alliance (formed by eight manufactures² that promote CD-RW/ -R media and drives in October 1999, and is a rewritable DVD format.

  The DVD+RW format aims for playback compatibility with the existing DVD-ROM drives and DVD players, and random read/write accessibility for data storage on PCs. Rewrite is allowed about 1,000 times.

  ¹1 GB (Gigabyte) represents 1,000,000,000 bytes in all instances.

  ²Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Mitsubishi Chemical, Philips, Ricoh, THOMSON Multimedia, YAMAHA and Sony.

• DVD-RAM (Rewritable)

  Max. number of times a disc can be recorded: 100,000x (approx).

  Data capacity¹: 4.7 GB (single-sided)/ 9.4 GB (double-sided)

  DVD-RAM is a format approved by the DVD Forum. When Ver.1.0 was released in July 1997, it was a single-sided disc of 2.6 GB, mounted in a protective cartridge. Later in September 1999, Ver.2.0 was released with capacity of 4.7 GB for single-sided discs, and 9.4 GB for double-sided discs.

  DVD-RAM’s compatibility with existing DVD-ROM drives and DVD players is low, while its PC data storage feature is enhanced (e.g., number of times you can rewrite, etc.).

  ¹1 GB (Gigabyte) represents 1,000,000,000 bytes in all instances.

• DVD-ROM (read-only memory)

  Max. number of times a disc can be recorded: None.

  Data capacity¹: 4.7 GB

  DVD-ROM is a read-only DVD, and is the equivalent of a CD-ROM among CDs. DVD-ROM discs are widely used for distribution of PC software or video contents such as movies.

  ¹1 GB (Gigabyte) represents 1,000,000,000 bytes in all instances.

• DVD Video format (Video mode)

  DVD Video format (Video mode) was formulated as the first playback (read-only) application within the DVD family.

   

  Since its purpose was to store an entire movie on one disc retaining quality audio/video, the format was adopted for commercial DVDs and playback devices such as DVD players. MPEG-2 is used for video compression, and Liner PCM, Dolby Digital and others schemes are adopted for audio, reproducing high quality pictures (about 500 TV lines of horizontal definition) and dynamic sound fields.

   

  In addition, interactive functions such as multi-language, multi-story, and multi-angles are also possible.

  This playback application for DVD players is now adopted as the recording application for DVD-RWs/-Rs for general DVD recorders.

   

  Since it was originally for DVD players, the main feature of DVD Video format is its high-compatibility with conventional DVD players.

   

  However, a DVD Video disc during the editing stage (not in its final form) is not formatted enough to play on other DVD players. The disc needs to be “finalized” to format its data according to the DVD Video specifications.

• DVD Video Recording format (VR mode)

  DVD Video Recording format (VR mode) was established by the DVD Forum for recording moving pictures in real time.

   

  The format is used for DVD-RWs/DVD-Rs/DVD-RAMs, and together with random recording of UDF Ver.2.00 (explained in “Physical Format”), it offers discretional division and arrangement of recorded data. These capabilities made various edits on recorded contents possible, enabling not only the edits on the recorded data itself (original data), but also the virtual edits called Playlists that enable a variety of edits without altering the original data. Furthermore, the format records both language tracks of bilingual broadcasts, retains different aspect ratios within a single title, and records “Copy-Once” copy-controlled contents―features suitable for recording TV programs.

• DVD+RW Video format (+VR mode)

  DVD+RW Video format (+VR mode) was formulated for recording moving pictures on DVD+RWs, and is also called “+VR format”.

   

  The format’s main feature is real-time recording, the ability to add recordings, and the overwrite function, while ensuring playback compatibility with conventional DVD players and DVD drives on PCs. The format specifies that finalizing (such as lead-out marking at the data end on the disc) be automatic.

   

  These features allow flexibility for users― the disc is playable on other players immediately after ejecting from the recorder, and you can add recordings by re-inserting the disc into the recorder. Moreover, the recorded contents are allowed simple edits on the same disc.

• DVD-RW Ver.1.1/1.2
• DVD-R for General Ver.2.0/2.1
• DVD-RAM for General Ver.2.1

• “Copy-Once” signals can only be recorded in VR mode using a CPRM-compatible recording/playback device for recording and playback.
• Digital signals in the common broadcasting format (525i/NTSC) can also be recorded provided the signal is from a digital tuner analog digital tuner (terrestrial or BS) and the recording device is in analog mode.