DVD-R 

DVD-R is the newest and probably the most misunderstood of the digital formats. Known as Digital Video Disk, it is expected to replace VHS over the next several years and consumers are finding DVD recording more available and cost effective for their own use.

The extra capacity of a DVD-R disc comes from smaller track pitch and smaller data marks (pits). The track pitch on a 3.95 GB DVD-R disc is 0.8 microns, one-half the track pitch of a CD-R. The track pitch on a 4.7 GB disc is 0.74 microns.

Hardware changes in the recorders allow the creation of data marks approximately one-half the size of those made on CD-R media (0.40 microns versus 0.834 microns). The recording laser's wavelength and focusing lens' numerical aperture were changed. Because of this, a CD-R/CD-RW drive cannot be used to write DVD-R media.

Additionally, DVD-R substrates are injection molded to one-half the thickness of a CD-R. It is an Ideal output format for MPEG-2 quality video (DVD movie quality) and audio files. It has an average of 4.7 GB storage capacity (meaning you can store around 2 hours worth of MPEG-2 video). DVDs can be played back on DVD players and DVD drives for the PC.

To output onto a DVD, a DVD-R/RW or DVD+R/RW drive is required. The DVD gives a quality of DV format which is the quality that is demanded all over the world by the viewers. Clearcut picture, excellent sound and high quality image are the reasons behind the popularity of this format.