What is DVD?

DVD is a digital optical disc storage format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995, also known as Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc, which is mainly used for video and data storage. DVDs are of the same dimensions as compact discs (CDs), but are capable of storing more than six times as much data.

DVD-Video and DVD-Audio discs

DVD-Video and DVD-Audio discs refer to properly formatted and structured video and audio content, respectively. Other types of DVDs, including those with video content, may be referred to as DVD Data discs.

Specifications

1. DVD-R and DVD-RW: DVD-R is the first DVD recording format released that is compatible with standalone DVD Players. DVD-R is a non-rewritable format and it is compatible with about 93% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs. DVD-RW is rewritable and it’s compatible with about 80% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs. They both support single side 4.37 computer GB* DVDs (called DVD-5) and double sided 8.75 computer GB DVDs (called DVD-10 or DVD-9).

2. 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 rewritable and is compatible with about 79% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs. These two support single side 4.37 computer GB* DVDs (called DVD-5) and double side 8.75 computer GB DVDs (called DVD-10 or DVD-9).

3. DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL: DVD+R DL/DVD-R DL or called DVD+R9/DVD-R9 is a Dual Layer writeable DVD+R/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).

4. DVD-RAM: DVD-RAM has the best recording features but it is not compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD-Video players. You can think it as a removable hard disc. DVD-RAM is usually used in some DVD Recorders.

Related Software:

Macgo Mac Blu-ray Player: Play DVD format on your Mac.
Macgo Windows Blu-ray Player: Play DVD on Windows platforms.
Macgo Free Mac Media Player: Play DVD for Mac OS X.

Useful links:

Visit DVD on Wikipedia
Mac Blu-ray Player – Free DVD Player Software
Learn more about DVD