What's New at Maxell Canada

A: Pre-recorded DVD is product that a consumer can purchase at retail stores. It can be in the form of DVD movies (Gladiator), DVD audio (Santana-Abraxas) and DVD-ROM’s (Encyclopedia Britannica)

Q: What is blank DVD?

A: Blank DVD is a recordable version of DVD. Blank DVD can be either DVD-R (Write once), DVD- RAM, RW, or +RW (Rewritables).

Q: What does “DVD” stand for?

A: The acronym “DVD” stands for “Digital Versatile Disc”. It was also known as “Digital Video Disc”, but it is not limited to video data. DVD’s can also store data and audio information.

Q: What are the benefits and advantages of blank DVD’s ?

A: Because of their capacity and enhanced video and audio capabilities, DVD's can be used as an alternative to video tapes for movies and as an alternative to video tapes for movies and as an alternative to CD-ROM's for computer data. DVD is also great for home video archiving. DVD unlike videotape, will not degrade with age or after several playbacks. Depending on the format, re-recordable DVD's can be recorded from 1,000 to 100,000 times.

Q: What are the differences between DVD’s and CD’s?

A: A DVD can hold much more data than a CD. Some DVD’s are recorded on both sides, to store both wide screen and standard versions of a movie. Whereas a CD, is only recorded on one side.

Q: What are the different types of DVD’s?

A: There are DVD video’s (movies), write once DVD’s, rewritable DVD’s, DVD-ROM’s (read-only computer information) and audio DVD’s (music).

Q: How big is a DVD and what does it look like?

A: A DVD is the same size as, and looks like a Compact Disc.

Q: How do DVD’s compare to a videotape?

A: DVD’s are more flexible in terms of their features. For example, with a DVD videodisc you are able to directly access certain scenes of a movie. DVD’s are also very reliable and more durable.

Q: What quality is DVD-Video?

A: DVD-Video can produce studio quality video. DVD is superior to videotape and is better than laser disc.

Q: What is DVD -Audio?

A: DVD-Audio was introduced late in the year 2000. Panasonic, Technics, Pioneer, JVC and Yamaha manufacture DVD-Audio players. The primary advantages of DVD Audio are enhanced sound and additional playback features. There are currently over 200 DVD-Audio titles available.

Q: How should DVD’s be cared for?

A: DVD’s should be treated basically the same way a CD is treated. Keep your discs and the inside of your player free from dust and debris. Be careful not to scratch the top or bottom surfaces of the disc. Write only with a soft, water based, felt tip marker.

Q: Should I affix labels on DVD’s?

A: DVD labels are not recommended since they can adversely affect disc balance and can damage the drive if they peel off.

Q: Can CD-R recorders write DVD’s?

A: No. CD-R writers/burners cannot write recordable DVD’s. However, there are some DVD recordable drives that can write CD-R’s & CD-RW’s. It should also be noted that CD players and recorders cannot read or play DVD’s.

Q: Are audio CD’s compatible with DVD players?

A: Yes. All DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives will play audio CD’s.

Q: What is the capacity of a single sided 4.7 inch DVD disc?

A: This disc can hold 4.7 GB of data or two (2) hours of video in standard recording mode. It will also hold 6 hours of CD quality audio.

Q: Will a pre-recorded DVD audio disc sound better than a pre-recorded music CD?

A: Yes, the audio on a pre-recorded DVD Audio disc is far superior to that of a standard CD audio disc. The greater storage capacity of a DVD allows for higher fidelity audio formats such as 6-channel surround, DTS (Digital Theatre Sound), and Dolby Digital audio.

Q: What are the blank recordable versions of DVD?

A: There are currently 3 types authorized by the DVD Forum: DVD-R, for one time recording, and DVD-RAM & DVD-RW for re-recording.DVD+RW is a fourth format, not authorized by the DVD Forum, and is a re-recordable format.

Q: What are the differences between the three re-recordable types?

A: DVD-RAM is a re-recordable/erasable format. It has a single side capacity of 4.7 GB, and can be re-written about 100,000 times. DVD-RAM is the format of choice for such manufacturers as Hitachi, Toshiba & Panasonic. It is playable in some DVD computer drives and consumer players.

DVD-RW is also a re-recordable /erasable format. It was developed by Pioneer and is playable in many DVD computer drives and consumer players. It has a capacity of 4.7 GB and can be re-written over 1,000 times.

DVD+RW is another re-recordable/erasable DVD format. It has a capacity of 4.7 GB and can be re-written over 1,000 times. It is currently available and is supported by HP, Phillips, Ricoh and others, and is playable in many DVD computer drives and consumer players.

Q: Why can DVD RAM be written over 100,000 times?

A: DVD Ram has 9 internal recording surfaces as compared to 3 internal recording surfaces for DVD–RW and DVD +RW. DVD Ram’s metal alloy was created for computer use and therefor affords DVD Ram a far greater number of rewrites.

Q: How long will DVD’s last?

A: Pre-recorded DVD movies can last anywhere from 50 to 300 years. Blank write once discs, DVD-R, will last anywhere from 40-250 years after being recorded. The blank rewritable formats, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, can last anywhere from 25-100 years after recording.

Q: Will DVD’s eventually replace CD’s and CD-ROM’s?

A: Since there is good support for the DVD format in the electronics industry, there is a high probability that over the next ten years, DVD's will replace CD’s.

Q: What equipment is needed to use an audio DVD disc?

A: Most current DVD video players and DVD-ROM drives will also play pre-recorded audio DVD's.

Q: What equipment is needed to play a DVD video?

A: For a DVD video, you need a DVD player connected to your television or to your audio/video (surround-sound) system. You can also playback a DVD Video on a computer DVD ROM drive, but additional hardware and software will be required.

Q: Can a pre-recorded DVD movie or DVD audio disc be copied onto blank DVD media?

A: No. Due to sophisticated copy protection methods, this is not possible with either format.

Q: Can a CD be copied onto a DVD blank media disc?

A: Yes, this is possible but the recording will sound the same as the CD source material – CD quality only.

Q: What makes DVD–R write once and DVD RAM, RW and +RW rewritable?

A: DVD-R utilizes a dye similar to CD-R for recording. Once this dye is altered (burned/written) it cannot be changed (rewritten). The re-writable formats: DVD Ram, DVD RW, DVD+RW use a metal alloy material called phase-change, similar to what is used in CD-RW, to allow re-recording.

Camcorders

Q: How does DVD Camcorder differ from the standard size DVD formats?

A: DVD Video Camcorder is a mini size DVD (8cm) with a recording capacity of 30-60 minutes. Standard size DVD Video is a 12cm disc and has a recording capacity of up to 120 minutes.

Q: Will 8cm mini DVD-R media record and playback in Hitachi DVD RAM camcorders?

A: Yes, Hitachi’s newest second generation DVD Ram camcorder will play and record both DVD Ram mini and DVD–R mini.

Q: Can I playback the 8cm mini DVD-R / RAM Video Camcorder disc in my DVD video player?

A: You will be able to play these discs in Hitachi, Panasonic, Toshiba and several other brands of DVD video players.

Compatibility/Playback

* Use this chart as a quick reference by first identifying the drives in the far left column and then reading across for the media options and compatibility.