More info DVD stands for Digital Versatile/Video Disc, DVDR stands for DVD Recordable and DVDRW for DVD ReWriteable. If you're familiar with regular audio/music CDs or regular DVD-Video discs, then you will know what a recordable DVD looks like. A recordable DVD stores up to 2 hours of very good quality DVD-Video, including several audio tracks in formats like stereo, Dolby Digital or DTS and also advanced menu systems, subtitles and still pictures that can be played by many standalone DVD Players and most computer DVD-ROMs. If you choose to lower the video quality it is possible to store several hours video on a recordable DVD using low bitrates and low resolution with video quality more like VHS, SVHS, SVCD, CVD or VCD. It is also possible to have up to 4.37* GB ordinary data or mix DVD-Video and data on a recordable DVD that can be played by most computer DVD-ROMs. There are three competing DVD Recording standards, DVD-R/DVD-RW and DVD+R/DVD+RW have pretty similiar features and are compatible with many standalone DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs while DVD-RAM has less DVD Player and DVD-ROM compatibility but better recording features. DVD-R and DVD-RW DVD-R was the first DVD recording format released that was compatible with standalone DVD Players. DVD-R is a non-rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 93% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs. DVD-RW is a rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 80% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs. DVD-R and DVD-RW supports single side 4.37 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-5) and double sided 8.75 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-10). DVD+R and DVD+RW DVD+R is a non-rewritable format and it is compatible with about 89% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs. DVD+RW is a rewritable format and is compatible with about 79% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs. DVD+R and DVD+RW supports single side 4.37 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-5) and double side 8.75 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-10). These formats are supported by the DVD+RW Alliance. DVD+R DL DVD+R DL or called DVD+R9 is a Dual Layer writeable DVD+R. The dual layered discs can hold 7.95 computer GB* (called DVD-9) and dual layered double sides 15.9* computer GB (called dvd-18). DVD-R DL DVD-R DL or called DVD-R9 is a Dual Layer writeable DVD-R. The dual layered discs can hold 7.95 computer GB* (called DVD-9) and dual layered double sides 15.9* computer GB (called dvd-18). DVD-RAM DVD-RAM has the best recording features but it is not compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD-Video players. Think more of it as a removable hard disk. DVD-RAM is usually used in some DVD Recorders. DVD Sizes The DVD sizes can be a bit confusing. There are basically 4 different DVD Sizes, DVD-5, holds around 4 700 000 000 bytes and that is 4.37 computer GB where 1 kbyte is 1024 bytes* . DVD+R/DVD+RW and DVD-R/DVD-RW supports this format. Also called Single Sided Single Layered. This is the most common DVD Media, often called 4.7 GB Media. DVD-10, holds around 9 400 000 000 bytes and that is 8.75 computer GB. DVD+R/DVD+RW and DVD-R/DVD-RW supports this format. Also called Double Sided Single Layered. DVD-9, holds around 8 540 000 000 bytes and that is 7.95 computer GB. DVD+R supports this format. Also called Single Sided Dual Layered. This media is called DVD-R9, DVD-R DL, DVD+R9, DVD+R DL or 8.5 GB Media. DVD-18, holds around 17 080 000 000 bytes and that is 15.9 computer GB. DVD+R supports this format. Also called Double Sided Dual Layered. * In the computer world is 1 KB data = 1024 bytes so 4 700 000 000 bytes / 1024 = 4 589 843KB / 1024 = 4482MB / 1024 = 4.37GB. See section 3.3 in the DVDDemystified FAQ here. DVD+R/DVD+RW/DVD+R DL and DVD-R/DVD-RW exact sizes DVD-R/DVD-RW = 4 706 074 624 bytes ( 4488 MB ) DVD+R/DVD+RW = 4 700 372 992 bytes ( 4482 MB ) DVD+R DL = 8 547 993 600 bytes ( 8152 MB ) DVD Write and read speeds Single Layer(4.7GB) write speeds 1x (CLV) = about 58 minutes 2x (CLV) = about 29 minutes 2.4x (CLV) = about 24 minutes 4x (CLV) = about 14.5 minutes 6x (CLV/ZCLV) = about 10-12 minutes 8x (PCAV/ZCLV) = about 8-10 minutes 12x (PCAV/ZCLV) = about 6.5-7.5 minutes 16x (CAV/ZCLV) = about 6-7 minutes Dual/Double Layer(8.5GB) write speeds 1x CLV = about 105 minutes 2.4x CLV = about 44 minutes 4x CLV = about 27 minutes Single Layer (4.7GB) read speeds 1x read speed is 1.321MB/s = ~56 minutes 6x CAV (avg. ~4x) read speed is max 7.93MB/s = ~14 minutes 8x CAV (avg. ~6x) read speed is max 10.57MB/s = ~10 minutes 12x CAV (avg. ~8x) read speed is max 15.85MB/s = ~7 minutes 16x CAV (avg. ~12x) read speed is max 21.13MB/s = ~5 minutes * write speed time and read speed time is not the same because writing requires some extra steps and also does the faster writing above 6x usually use lower write speeds for some parts of the dvd. 4x DVD speed = 36x CD speed. . Other non-standard special DVD formats: DVD-VCD is basically a VCD authored on a DVD. DVD supports the VCD resolution but the audio has to be resample to 48 khz. If the audio is resample to 48 khz it is standard DVD-Video. Read more here how to make a such. DVD-SVCD is basicly a SVCD authored on a DVD. DVD do not supports the SVCD resolution but it may anyway work and the audio has to be resampled to 48 khz like the DVD-VCD. DVD-MP3 is MP3s burned on a DVD but very few MP3 capable standalone DVD Players supports it because most Players verify DVD as DVD-Video only. Check our DVD Players list for compatibility. DVD-ISO is MPEG ,MPG, VOB files burned on a DVD without any DVD Authoring(making the vob,ifo files) but very few standalone DVD Players supports it because most Players verify DVD as DVD-Video only. . Technical Info for DVD-Video PAL Video: Up to 9.8 Mbps* (9800 kbps*) MPEG2 video Up to 1.856 Mbps (1856 kbps) MPEG1 video 720 x 576 pixels MPEG2 (Called Full-D1) 704 x 576 pixels MPEG2 352 x 576 pixels MPEG2 (Called Half-D1, same as the CVD Standard) 352 x 288 pixels MPEG2 352 x 288 pixels MPEG1 (Same as the VCD Standard) 25 fps* 16:9 Anamorphic (only supported by 720x576) Audio: 48000 Hz 32 - 1536 kbps Up to 8 audio tracks containing Dolby Digital, DTS, PCM(uncompressed audio), MPEG-1 Layer2. One audio track must have MPEG-1, DD or PCM Audio. Extras: Motion menus, still pictures, up to 32 selectable subtitles, seamless branching for multiple storylines, 9 camera angles. And also additional DVD-ROM / data files that only can be read by computer DVD drives. Total: Total bitrate including video, audio and subs can be max 10.08 Mbps (10080 kbps) * Mbps = million bits per second * kbps = thousand bits per second * fps = frames per second . NTSC (NTSC Film) Video: Up to 9.8 Mbps* (9800 kbps*) MPEG2 video Up to 1.856 Mbps (1856 kbps) MPEG1 video 720 x 480 pixels MPEG2 (Called Full-D1) 704 x 480 pixels MPEG2 352 x 480 pixels MPEG2 (Called Half-D1, same as the CVD Standard) 352 x 240 pixels MPEG2 352 x 240 pixels MPEG1 (Same as the VCD Standard) 29,97 fps* 23,976 fps with 3:2 pulldown = 29,97 playback fps (NTSC Film, this is only supported by MPEG2 video) 16:9 Anamorphic (only supported by 720x480) Audio: 48000 Hz 32 - 1536 kbps Up to 8 audio tracks containing DD (Dolby Digital/AC3), DTS, PCM(uncompressed audio), MPEG-1 Layer2. One audio track must have DD or PCM Audio. Extras: Motion menus, still pictures, up to 32 selectable subtitles, seamless branching for multiple storylines, 9 camera angles. And also additional DVD-ROM / data files that only can be read by computer DVD drives. Total: Total bitrate including video, audio and subs can be max 10.08 Mbps (10080 kbps) * Mbps = million bits per second * kbps = thousand bits per second * fps = frames per second . DVD File/Folder Structure Explanation: . BUP = Backup files of the IFO files. . IFO = The IFO files includes information such as chapters, subtitle tracks and audio tracks. . VOB = The VOB files contains the actual video,audio,subtitles and menus. Folder Files Explanation AUDIO_TS (undefined) DVD Audio VIDEO_TS VIDEO_TS.BUP VIDEO_TS.IFO The first video play item, IFO, usally a copyright notice or a menu VIDEO_TS.VOB The first video play item, VOB VTS_01_0.BUP VTS_01_0.IFO Title 01, IFO, usually the main movie VTS_01_0.VOB Title 01, VOB 0, the menu for this title VTS_01_1.VOB Title 01, VOB 1, the video for this title VTS_01_2.VOB Title 01, VOB 2, if larger than 1 GB it will be splitted into several vobs VTS_01_3.VOB Title 01, VOB 3 VTS_01_4.VOB Title 01, VOB 4, up to 10(0-9) VOB files if necassary VTS_02_0.BUP VTS_02_0.IFO Title 02, IFO, usually movie extras VTS_02_0.VOB Title 02, VOB 0, the menu for this title VTS_02_1.VOB Title 02, VOB 1, the video for this title VTS_xx_x.BUP VTS_xx_x.IFO And so on VTS_xx_x.VOB VTS_xx_x.VOB VTS_99_9.VOB Up to 99(1-99) titles with max 10(0-9) VOB files each Video File Comparison Format VCD SVCD DVD HDDVD HDTV (WMVHD) AVI DivX XviD WMV MOV Quick- Time RM Real- Media AVI DV Resolution NTSC/PAL 352x240 352x288 480x480 480x576 720x480² 720x576² 1920x1080² 1280x720² 640x480² 640x480² 320x240² 720x480 720x576 Video Compression MPEG1 MPEG2 MPEG2, MPEG1 MPEG2 (WMV- MPEG4) MPEG4 Sorenson, Cinepak, MPEG4 ... RM DV Video bitrate 1150kbps ~2000kbps ~5000kbps ~20Mbps (~8Mbps) ~1000kbps ~1000kbps ~350kbps 25Mbps Audio Compression MP1 MP1 MP1, MP2, AC3, DTS, PCM MP1, MP2, AC3, DTS, PCM MP3, WMA, OGG, AAC, AC3 QDesign Music, MP3 ... RM DV Audio bitrate 224kbps ~224kbps ~448kbps ~448kbps ~128kbps ~128kbps ~64kbps ~1500kbps Size/min 10 MB/min 10-20 MB/min 30-70 MB/min ~150MB/min (~60MB/min) 4-10 MB/min 4-20 MB/min 2-5 MB/min 216MB/min Min/74min CD 74min 35-60min 10-20min ~4min (~10min) 60-180min 30-180 min 120-300 min 3min Hours/DVD N/A N/A 1-2hrs (2-5hrsª) ~30min (~1hrs) 7-18hrs 3-18hrs 14-35hrs 20min Hours/ DualLayerDVD N/A N/A 2-4hrs (5-9hrsª) ~55min (~2hrs) 13-30hrs 6-30hrs 25-65hrs 37min DVD Player Compatibility Great Good Excellent None Few None None None Computer CPU Usage Low High Very High Super high Very High High Low High Quality Good Great* Excellent* Superb* Great* Great* Decent* Excellent kbps = thousand bits per second Mbps = million bits per second ² approximately resolution, it can be higher or lower ~ approximately bitrate, it can be higher or lower ª DVD with lower video quality, similiar to VCD/SVCD video quality * the video quality depends on the bitrate and the video resolution, higher bitrate and higher resolution generally means better video quality but bigger file size