cover image

DVD

Optical disc format / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:

Can you list the top facts and stats about DVD?

Summarize this article for a 10 year old

SHOW ALL QUESTIONS

The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc)[9][10] is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kind of digital data and has been widely used for video programs (watched using DVD players) or formerly for storing software and other computer files as well. DVDs offer significantly higher storage capacity than compact discs (CD) while having the same dimensions. A standard single-layer DVD can store up to 4.7 GB of data, a dual-layer DVD up to 8.5 GB. Variants can store up to a maximum of 17.08 GB.[11]

Quick facts: Media type, Encoding, Capacity, Read mec...
DVD
DVD_logo.svg
DVD-R_bottom-side.jpg
The data side of a DVD
manufactured by Sony DADC
Media typeOptical disc
EncodingDVD-ROM and DVD-R(W) use one encoding, DVD-RAM and DVD+R(W) uses another
Capacity4.7 GB (single-sided, single-layer – common)
8.5 GB (single-sided, double-layer)
9.4 GB (double-sided, single-layer)
17.08 GB (double-sided, double-layer)
Up to four layers are possible in a standard form DVD.
Read mechanism300–650 nm laser, 10.5 Mbit/s (1×)
Write mechanism650 nm laser with a focused beam using more power than for reading, 10.5 Mbit/s (1×)
StandardDVD Forum's DVD Books[1][2][3] and DVD+RW Alliance specifications
Developed bySony
Panasonic
Philips
Toshiba
DimensionsDiameter: 12 cm (4.7 in)
Thickness: 1.2 mm (0.047 in)
Weight16 grams (0.56 oz)
UsageHome video, Computer data storage
Extended fromLaserDisc
Compact disc
Extended to
ReleasedNovember 1, 1996 (1996-11-01) (Japan)[4]
January 1997 (1997-01) (CIS and other Asia)
March 24, 1997 (1997-03-24) (United States)[5][6][7]
March 1998 (1998-03) (Europe)[8]
February 1999 (1999-02) (Australia/New Zealand)
Close

Prerecorded DVDs are mass-produced using molding machines that physically stamp data onto the DVD. Such discs are a form of DVD-ROM because data can only be read and not written or erased. Blank recordable DVD discs (DVD-R and DVD+R) can be recorded once using a DVD recorder and then function as a DVD-ROM. Rewritable DVDs (DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM) can be recorded and erased many times.

DVDs are used in DVD-Video consumer digital video format and less commonly in DVD-Audio consumer digital audio format, as well as for authoring DVD discs written in a special AVCHD format to hold high definition material (often in conjunction with AVCHD format camcorders). DVDs containing other types of information may be referred to as DVD data discs.

Oops something went wrong: