DVD | Misc

Expected Life of DVD-R Media:

• Life expectancy is a key issue when considering the use of DVD-R for applications such as document imaging and other archival applications.

• Although each disc media manufacturer has its own life expectancy rating, Pioneer DVD-R media is currently rated at better than 100 year

DVD File system and MPEG software:

• Recorded DVD Video discs can be played on a DVD video player, as well as a computer that is equipped with a DVD-ROM drive, a DVD-compliant MPEG decoder card (or decoder software like POWER DVD MPEG Software) and application software that emulates a video player's control functions.

• A recorded DVD-ROM disc can be read by a computer equipped with a DVD-ROM drive, as well as a computer equipped for DVD video playback as described above.

• Recorded DVD-R discs support a new file system called "UDF- Bridge" .

• This is a hybrid approach that provides both the newer UDF (Universal Disc Format) system as well as the older ISO-9660 system used by the CD-ROM format.

• This allows DVD discs to be used with computer operating systems that do not have any provision for UDF support.

Looks Familiar, still new and Different:

The DVD standard defines a disc that maintains the overall dimensions, look and feel of the current Compact Disc. Some of these similarities will be unmistakable to consumers experiencing DVD for the first time. Others are less apparent, but equally important to the rapid and successful introduction of DVD.

Ø Like CD, DVD is 120mm (4-3/4 inches) in diameter and 1.2mm thick.

Ø Both store information as pits arranged along concentric, circular tracks embedded in a reflective material, which is bonded to a clear disc. A laser reflects differently from pits and from "land" (space without a pit). The player spins the disc, focuses a laser on a track, and "reads" reflections of pits and land as 0's and 1's.

Ø The new DVD players will be able to play the billions of existing music CDs.

Ø DVD software can be replicated using existing CD production facilities.

Ø Using the existing form factor reduces the re-tooling required to manufacture DVD players and DVD-ROM drives.

Ø A disc-based format means the kind of split-second random access that no tape format can match.

Ø Non-contact laser optics means playback without wear and tear.

Ø As with Compact Disc, DVD will be durable, and tolerant of dust, dirt and fingerprints. Under the surface, of course, DVD reveals some substantial differences.

Ø DVD holds seven times the data of CD: 4.7 gigabytes per layer, as compared to 680 megabytes for CD.

Ø DVD offers a dual-layer, single-side option, for even higher capacity: 8.5 gigabytes on a single side.

Ø Every DVD is a bonded disc, composed of two 0.6mm substrates joined together.