DVD-5 discs are
one-sided, single layer recordable DVDs with a capacity
of 4.7GB. The numbering after DVDs can be approximated
to the capacity of the discs. For example DVD-9 discs
can hold 8.5GB on a one-sided, double layer disc
and DVD-18 can hold 17.4GB on a dual-side, dual-layer
disc.
DVD-5 discs are
12cm discs and can be created through the production
processes of either DVD
duplication or DVD
replication. DVD-5 are the most common type
of DVD as the 4.7GB capacity is currently more than
enough for most applications or requirements, holding
120 minutes of high quality audio and video.
DVDs have
much higher storage capacities than CDs by
using smaller pit sizes and narrower track pitches
in the spiral groove that runs around the
discs. These smaller pits and grooves require a different
wavelength of laser light (650nm) to that used in CD drives (780nm) and therefore DVD discs cannot be read
in standard CD drives.
Below is a diagram
illustrating the difference in track pitch between
CDs and DVDs:
All DVDs are made
from two polycarbonate layers that are bonded together,
and the second layer on a DVD-5 is a data-less
layer that does not contain any pits.
The diagram below
shows the difference between single (DVD-5) and dual
layer discs (DVD-9):
| Single layer DVD (4.7GB) |
Dual layer DVD (8.5GB) |
|
 |
View other CD
and DVD production FAQs.
| 
