DVD-RAM?

SQ · Post by SQ » Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:35 pm

So I got this new DVD Burner, and in the manual, which I acutally read, XD it had a simply DVD-RAM FAQ. Only problem is.. I still have no idea what DVD-Ram really is.

What is DVD-RAM? How does it work? Can other computers view it? What are your expierences with it?

Pwolf · Post by **Pwolf** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:09 pm

dvd-ram is supposed to act like a physical drive in a way... you can write to it, delete stuff from it and write to it again, like a floppy/hard disk... thats pretty much all it's good for :/ i think the media is pretty expensive too compaired to -rw and +rw.

Pwolf

SQ · Post by SQ » Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:51 pm

You have to have a special disc for it? Aw, that sucks. =(

Pwolf · Post by **Pwolf** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:07 pm

SQ wrote:You have to have a special disc for it? Aw, that sucks. =(

indeed :/

Pwolf

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:54 am

http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#4.3

Basically DVD-RAM is similar to DVD-RW and DVD+RW in that it is a re-writable format which allows you to erase and reuse the disc. Developed primarily for computer use, it offers some major advantages over DVD-RW/+RW. Some benefits are defect management, greater re-write cycles of up to 100,000 times, and a disc structure that is designed for faster random access, hence the "RAM" designation. DVD-RW/+RW, in comparison offers 1,000 re-writes and follow the standard DVD-Video/ROM disc structure more closely so are slower to access data. Unfortunately, the differences make DVD-RAM incompatible with most DVD drives out there.

For the home video market, you also get the ability to edit your recordings on the disc without the use of a computer. Plus, many DVD-RAM home recorders can do a feature Panasonic calls "Time Slip" which allows you to start watching a show you are recording from the beginning even though it is still being recorded. Example: you have set the recorder to record this weeks episode of Lost since you know you will need to work late and will not be home in time to watch it. Luckily, you finish your assignment early and are able to get home earlier, but the show has already started and is about 15 minutes in. Normally, if this was a VCR, you would have to wait for the recording to finish before you could rewind the tape and then watch your show. With "Time Slip" you can just start watching it now and catch up by fast forwarding the commercials, similar to how most DVRs (Tivo, Replay, etc.) work.

On the other hand, DVD-RAM's advantages are also disadvantages in the home video market. The different disc structure makes it incompatible with most DVD players except those designed to read the DVD-RAM discs, so playback of DVD-RAM recordings require special DVD players. Also, early DVD-RAM discs required a cartridge which made the discs more expensive and required a more complicated/expensive disc handling mechanism. Burn times are also generally longer for DVD-RAM in comparision to DVD-R/+R/-RW/+RW since data verification is required after every burn, essentially doubling the time (for computer use, not sure if home video machines also use this feature).

Damn, I know too much.

SQ · Post by SQ » Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:22 pm

Nice.

It's the whole cartridge thing that confused me in the manual. It started talking about cartidges and I was all "wtf".

Also, interesting thing to note, my DVD Burner came with two DVD-RAM discs which contained Roxio. When I put these discs in the burner, it was noted that there was a disc in the drive, but opening it up in my computer wouldn't do anything; it was like a blank disc.

But when I put it in my older DVD-Rom drive, the DVD-Rom drive itself appeared empty, much like the DVD Burner did, BUT, what I found cool, was another icon showed up that said "Roxio", as if it were it's own little harddrive.

It had it's own letter and everything.

Confusing, yes, but still nifty.

What I can't figure out is why haven't I seen any blank DVD-RAM discs in stores, and how much do they cost(without the whole cartridge thing)?

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:58 pm

SQ wrote:What I can't figure out is why haven't I seen any blank DVD-RAM discs in stores, and how much do they cost(without the whole cartridge thing)?

You might have to check the home video recorders section of your local electronics store since the devices that seem to be the most widespread users of DVD-RAM are the Panasonic and other home recorders. My local CompUSA and Best Buy carry them for about $2 a disc, about the same price as DVD-RW/+RW discs that come with jewel cases. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 5200050027

The only type of cartridge type DVD-RAM that I can find currently are the double sided 9.4GB media. And they aren't that cheap.