 |
» |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
With so many choices for CD and DVD media available, how do you know which one is right for your needs? Use this guide to help you decide.
|
To print this article, download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, download here |
|
|
|
|
Terms |
|
|
|
LightScribe: HP's direct disc labeling technology that allows you to create and burn custom labels onto CDs and DVDs using the same drive that burns data. Special LightScribe discs and a LightScribe-enabled drive are required.
+R and -R: Recordable discs that can be burned once. Perfect for permanent storage. +R is superior in quality to -R. |
|
+RW and -RW: Rewritable discs that can be burned multiple times (up to 1,000 times for DVDs), allowing you to continually add more data. +RW is superior in quality to -RW.
DVD-RAM: An optical, high-speed, rewritable disc that can store video with or without using a DVD burner. It's more robust than a traditional DVD, better protects data integrity, and can be rerecorded up to 100,000 times. DVD-RAM comes in two versions: a specially coated disc or a disc cartridge.
|
|
|
|
|
DVD Media |
|
|
Digital video discs have a significantly higher storage capacity than CDs and offer a fuller, multi-channel sound (such as surround-sound) experience.
There are four types of DVDs:
- Single-sided discs that hold one layer of data
- Double-sided discs that hold one layer of data on each side
- Single-layer discs that hold two layers of data
- Double-sided discs that hold two layers of data on each side
To utilize dual-layer technology, you must have both a compatible disc writer and dual-layer media. The actual number of files you can archive (or burn) on a disc varies depending on the quality level of saved files.
|
|
|
| Disc type |
Data capacity |
DVD-quality video (hrs) |
VHS-quality (hrs) |
CD-quality audio (hrs) |
MP3 audio (hrs) |
Single-layer, single-sided
|
4.7GB
|
2
|
6+
|
6+
|
72+
|
Single-layer, double-sided
|
9.4GB
|
4
|
12+
|
14+
|
144+
|
Dual-layer; single-sided
|
8.5GB
|
4
|
11+
|
12+
|
120+
|
Dual-layer, double-sided
|
17GB
|
8
|
22+
|
24+
|
240+
|
|
|
|
Printable version
