DVDs are available in recordable and non-recordable formats. There are different types of DVDs available for different applications.
DVD-ROM- Stores data ranging from 4.7 GB to 17GB. DVD-ROMs can store data such as audio, video, software similar to CD-ROMs.
DVD-Video - Stores videos such as movie or clips. In this type of DVD, create-like structures on the surface of the DVD scatter the laser beam. This is different from the way the laser is reflected in ordinary DVDs. These types of DVD require DVD drives with MPGE-2 decoder.
DVD-Audio - Stores high-quality music. These disks can also store video content and slide shows. DVD-Audio holds the surround sound version of the music.
DVD-R and DVD+R - Can be written only once. An organic dye coats the layer of these type of disks. When the disk is permanently marked when exposed to laser.
DVD-RW and DVD+RW - Knows as phase-change disks. These types of disks use two different laser power levels to write and erase data. We can rewrite the DVD-RW disks multiple times.
DVD-RAM - Uses phase-change technology. You can rewrite these disks 1,00,000 times. DVD-RAM disks have a capacity of 9.4 GB, with 4.7 GB on each side of the disk. We do not need DVD burners to write data on these DVDs. These DVDs can be accessed in the same manner as a hard or floppy disk.
DVD-VR and DVD+VR (video recording) - Used to create movies that can be edited. The content in these disks can be edited by adding or removing portions and changing the required parts. DVD-VR disks cannot be played on ordinary home DVD players. The DVD player has to be DVD-RW compatible. DVD+VR disks can be played on home DVD players.
HD-DVD (High Definition DVD) - Also known as Advanced Optical Disc (AOD). HD-DVD is blue laser optical disc format developed by Toshiba and NEC. HD-DVD is Similar to Blue ray disc and uses blue laser technology to achieve a higher storage capacity. HD-DVD-R (recordable) versions store 15GB on a single layer disc and 30GB on a dual layer disc.
Blue Ray Disc - Blu-ray disc enables you to record up to 27 GB of data or up to 2 hours of high definition video on a single sided, single layer 12cm disc using a blue-violet laser. Blue-ray disc has single or double layer format and uses industry standard MPEG- compression technology. You can use a simple cartridge to hold the disc which prevents it from dust, fingerprints or scratches.
The Blue-ray disc 1.0 specification includes the following formats:
BD-ROM - Read only.
BD-R - Recordable for PC data storage.
BD-RW - Rewritable for PC data storage.
BD-RE - Rewritable for HDTV recording.