DVD

DVD
	The data side of a DVD; manufactured by Sony DADC
Media type	Optical disc
Encoding	DVD-ROM and DVD-R(W) use one encoding, DVD-RAM and DVD+R(W) uses another
Capacity	4.7 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 mechanism	300–650 nm laser, 10.5 Mbit/s (1×)
Write mechanism	650 nm laser with a focused beam using more power than for reading, 10.5 Mbit/s (1×)
Standard	DVD Forum's DVD Books[1][2][3] and DVD+RW Alliance specifications
Developed by	Sony; Panasonic; Philips; Toshiba
Dimensions	Diameter: 12 cm (4.7 in); Thickness: 1.2 mm (0.047 in)
Weight	16 grams (0.56 oz)
Usage	Home video, Computer data storage
Extended from	LaserDisc; Compact disc
Extended to	DVD+RW, DVD-RAM (Fixed-track writable media); HD DVD; Blu-ray;
Released	November 1, 1996 (Japan)[4]; January 1997 (CIS and other Asia); March 24, 1997 (United States)[5][6][7]; March 1998 (Europe)[8]; February 1999 (Australia/New Zealand)

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... ▼

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.

DVD

Optical disc format / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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


The data side of a DVD manufactured by Sony DADC
Media type	Optical disc
Encoding	DVD-ROM and DVD-R(W) use one encoding, DVD-RAM and DVD+R(W) uses another
Capacity	4.7 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 mechanism	300–650 nm laser, 10.5 Mbit/s (1×)
Write mechanism	650 nm laser with a focused beam using more power than for reading, 10.5 Mbit/s (1×)
Standard	DVD Forum's DVD Books[1][2][3] and DVD+RW Alliance specifications
Developed by	Sony Panasonic Philips Toshiba
Dimensions	Diameter: 12 cm (4.7 in) Thickness: 1.2 mm (0.047 in)
Weight	16 grams (0.56 oz)
Usage	Home video, Computer data storage
Extended from	LaserDisc Compact disc
Extended to	DVD+RW, DVD-RAM (Fixed-track writable media) HD DVD Blu-ray
Released	November 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)