what format are standard dvds?

Question

like when u go to the store and buy...say....Mean Girls on dvd. what type of dvd is that...is it, dvd-r...dvd+r..dvd-rw...dvd+rw????!!!!!

Answer 1

When you buy a DVD it is a read-only DVD-ROM disc. The formats you listed are all writable or re-writable DVD media types. The differences being that a DVD-ROM is pressed in a factory out of a mold. It contains raised areas called lans and recessed areas called pits. These represent binary code, 1s and 0s.

Whereas DVD-R or DVD+R discs are comprised of a plastic substrate on which an organic dye is placed. During the burning process this dye layer is changed or "burned" to have the same reflective properties as lans and pits. So that when a DVD player reads the disc it converts it to 1s and 0s.

Additionally, DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM discs are comprised of a plastic substrate on which a metal alloy is placed. During the buring process this metal alloy is physically changed, so that it has actual lans and pits, just like a DVD-ROM. Although these types of discs are not nearly as durable as a DVD-ROM you might buy in the store.

Answer 2

It is a DVD-R recorded in DVD-Video format

Definitely NOT re-writable (RW) and the DVD forum officially will not even recognize Philip's DVD+R/RW format as a valid medium, but most players now play them.

Answer 3

A standard video DVD is none of those. DVD+/-R describe various methods for burning data onto a disc; however, most commercial discs are pressed and not burned.

Answer 4

most store bought movie dvd's are dual layer 8.5g - they hold twice as much data as a normal 4.7g dvd