FAQ - Page 6

Tell me some specification about DVD laser and media!

DVD-R uses a 635nm recording laser, while the read-only and rewritable DVD formats use a 650nm laser. DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, and DVD+ RW media use a non-wavelength-sensitive phase-change recording layer; DVD-R uses wavelength-sensitive dye.

Can all DVD-Video players play DVD-R?

Most can, but certain older models seem to be less "forgiving" of the record-once media.

Can DVD Players read DVD-RAM discs?

DVD-RAM discs are only readable on DVD-RAM drives at this time, with one exception-the Panasonic (Matsushita) & Hitachi DVD-ROM drives.

Can DVD-RAM or DVD-R drives write on blank CD-R or CD-RW discs?

No, not in the current generation of products. However Pionner & Panasonic plan to add it into future models.

If I had a DVD-R or DVD-RAM or DVD+RW drive, could I use it to copy DVD read-only discs?

Yes. But the disc must not be protected, the capacity is less than one side of the media you are recording to.

How can I make a "backup" from a Original DVD into a DVD-R drive?

It seems that all DVD discs are currently copy protected and the media is only 3.9GB per side (pressed DVD single layer is 4.7GB per side). So right now you will have problem.

But with new DVD-RAM discs of 5.2GB cannot copy the 4.7GB DVD-ROMs?

DVD mastering machines aren't set up to accept DVD-RAM as input. One reason is the capacity-you'd have to make two images, one for each side, and then have the mastering facility splice them together into a single image on DLT. For logical reasons, this is not advantageous-an application requiring over 2.6GB of capacity could not be tested as a whole, and it could not be tested in an actual DVD-Video player. DVD-RAM is not targeted at what DVD-R supposed to do.

OK..now give me a complete matrix so i can see the differnces between various formats

Where i can read more?

Pioneer's DVD White Paper
Writable DVD: A Guide for the Perplexed
DVD Techonology
Robert's DVD Info
The DVD Resource Page
DVD FAQ