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Optical Discs: CD, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray and everything else that's shiny and spinning!

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Disc or Disk, Media or Storage, Document or Music, these flat circular things that spin around under a laser have been containers for indispensable information since it was first made in the sixties. This lens takes you through the different types of optical discs available today.

Table of Contents:

Types of Optical Discs
How Long Do Optical Discs Last?
Hardware, Software, and Accessories for Optical Discs
Optical Discs and DRM

Contents at a Glance

Types of Optical Discs
Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD: Which one will win?
How Long Do Optical Discs Last?
Hardware, Software, and Accessories for...
Optical Discs and DRM (Digital Rights Ma...
Great "Optical Discs" on Amazo...

Types of Optical Discs

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Types of Optical Discs

CD
CD, which as we all know stands for Compact Disc, is the first and most common type of optical disc. From a collaborated effort between Philips and Sony in the 80s came a sound replacement for vinyl records. So when we talk about CDs, the first thing that comes to mind is music.
CD-ROM
The CD-ROM came out in 1984, under the specifications described in the "Yellow Book" (CDs had the "Red Book"). ROM stands for Read-Only Memory. CD-ROMs became even more useful because they were no longer limited to storing audio data but also computer software, encyclopedias, and even games. Later on, the "Green Book" was released to signal that CD-ROMs could now support graphics and mix audio, video, and data all at the same time.
CD-R
CD-Recordables, which were originally called CD Write-Once (WO), are just like CD-ROMs in that they can be written to only once. But instead of aluminum coating, CD-Rs use either silver, silvery alloy, or gold coating. They are also cheaper to make.
CD-RW
If CD-Rs and CD-ROMs can only be written to once, then CD-ReWritables can be written to a number of times. They are only a bit more expensive than CD-Rs and are catching up quickly. To make the a CD rewritable, it has a special alloy that can switch between two states (cystalline and amorphous) to record the data in. The laser that writes the data also switches between different power levels to write and read data.
DVD
DVD stands for "Digital Video Disc" or "Digital Versatile Disc". Unlike ordinary CDs, which can only hold around 700 megabytes of data, DVDs can store a whopping 4.7 gigabytes! This is achieved by (a) storing data onto smaller pits; (b) packing pits and holes on the surface of the disc closer together; and (c) using a laser with a shorter wavelength.

There are even more types of DVDs out there: aside from the single-layer 4.7GB discs, we have single-sided dual-layer (8.5GB), double-sided single-layer (9.4GB), and double-sided dual-layer (17GB) DVDs.

Aside from storage, DVDs also have other types according to purpose/format: DVD-Data, DVD-Audio, DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM (Random Access Memory), DVD-VR, and DVD+VR.
HD-DVD
HD-DVD stands for "High Density Digital Versatile Disc" or "High Definition Digital Video Disc". Single-sided HD-DVDs can store 15 GB while Dual-sided HD-DVDs have 30 GB. There's also a Triple-sided HD-DVD, which holds 45 GB. It can read and transfer data at a speed of 36 Mbps. IT companies leading the HD-DVD push include NEC, Sanyo, the DVD Forum, Microsoft, and Intel.
Blu-ray
Blu-Ray discs are named after the color of the laser with a 450 nanometer wavelength. Single-sided discs can hold 25 GB while dual-sided ones stores 50 GB. Its transfer rate is 54 Mbps. While these figures are all better than its main competitor, the HD-DVD, Blu-Ray discs are more expensive to make. Nevertheless, they are backed by Sony, HP, Dell, Pioneer, Philips, Panasonic, Samsung, Apple, LG-Electronics, and Mitsubishi Electric, to name a few!
Other Optical Discs
We're not done yet! There are so many types of optical media out there that we've lost count:
Laserdisc
Magneto-Optical Disc
Fluorescent Multilayer Disc/Card
Digital Multilayer Disc
Ultra Density Optical
Professional Disc for DATA
Versatile Multilayer Disc
Holographic Versatile Disc
Tapestry Media
Read more about the other types of optical discs.

Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD: Which one will win?

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How Long Do Optical Discs Last?

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How Long Do Optical Discs Last?

The answer is tricky simply because we do not know what can happen to the discs we own, especially if we burned the data onto them ourselves. External factors like accidents, heat, humidity, direct sunlight, sub-standard manufacturing processes, old/damaged burning hardware (lasers, lenses, etc.), and other situations can affect the physical condition of these discs, and consequently the data contained in it. Secondly, not all discs were created in the same way. Materials used vary from one manufacturer to another.

How about rewritable optical media?
They are considered much less reliable than plain CD-R/DVD-R discs. It is advised that you stay away from storing permanent and rare data in RWs, unless perhaps you have backups elsewhere.

Check your disc dye
A disc's reliability is related to the dye found on its underside. Three dyes used right now are phtalocyanine (silver/gold), cyanine (blue/green), and azo (bright blue). Some tests show phtalocyanine is slightly more resistant to light than cyanine, while azo seems to be the weakest of the lot. Even so, the formulation of phtalocyanine dyes also vary, so choose a reputable disc brand.

As well as your laser
Still other tests show that phtalocyanine is much more sensitive about the power that a disc-burner laser must generate to avoid errors in data-writing. If your CD burner has aged, chances are its laser has degraded as well.

Will they really last for a hundred years?
Paranoid about the decade-long or century-long guarantees? It's wise to check up on your discs few months to see if your data need re-backing up. If you've got a large collection on discs, start off with your most precious files. It is much better to be self-reliant on preserving one's own documents and memories.

Hardware, Software, and Accessories for Optical Discs

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Optical Disc Accessories

Drives/Readers and Burners/Writers/Recorders
Common brand names: 4kus, Asus, BenQ, HP, Iomega, Liteon, LG, Memorex, NEC, Samsung, Sanyo, Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Plextor, Ricoh, Toshiba, Verbatim, Yamaha.

Optical Disc Duplicators
Special machines that can perform heavy-duty disc burning on a relatively larger scale than ordinary disc burners.

Burning/Recording Software
Probably the most popular burning software out there is Nero Burning ROM. Other notable names in the burning software category include GEAR, NTI, Roxio, Pinnacle, and 1Click.

Labels, Markers, Printers
Disc-friendly markers (other writing materials are not allowed!) are your easiest option. Stickers and labels look more professional and neat. If you're willing to spend more, try out CD-stampers or even thermal and silkscreening machines.

Storage
The list of disc containers are endless, from materials (paper, plastic, nylon, etc.) to designs and sizes (racks, shelves, cakes, cases, etc.).

Cleaners
Be wary of using ordinary cleaning fluids; make sure you're buying the right one. Apply the fluid to a lint-free and static-free cloth designed for cleaning discs. Start by cleaning the inner portion and move outwards in straight strokes.

Optical Discs and DRM (Digital Rights Management)

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Optical Discs and Digital Rights Management

Anybody curious about DRM and how it will affect both the consumers and manufacturers of the Optical Media industry?

What is DRM?
DRM stands for Digital Rights Management, which describes technologies and methods employed by publishers to control usage of digital data. If you're familiar with the issues of how music and other media should be used, then you shouldn't be too far away from hearing about the DRM controversy.

There are generally two forms of methodologies under DRM: Supportive DRM limits the use of a product to registered and licensed people only. Restrictive DRM uses oft-expensive measures implemented into the product, either at the hardware or the software level. Examples include an expiring license to use the product, or a restriction on where the product can be used.

The DRM Battle
It is obvious why publishers and copyright holders favor DRM. The opposers, however, argue that DRM is more about Restrictions rather than Rights and the freedom of the user/consumer, as it can violate private property rights and limit usage of media one rightfully owns.

Devices with DRM
Aside from DVD players, devices that emply DRM are video game consoles (Playstation 2, Playstation Portable, Xbox 360), music players (Apple iPod, Microsoft Zune), and certain cellphones (including smartphones).

Great "Optical Discs" on Amazon!

More "Optical Discs" Stuff on Amazon!

Are you in favor of Digital Rights Management?

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jkonltd Nov 7, 2011 @ 1:10 pm | delete

Computer Repair London

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jkonltd Nov 7, 2011 @ 1:07 pm | delete

Great informative article.

http://www,jkon.eu

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pillury2 Aug 17, 2011 @ 1:48 am | delete

Very good summary about the discs.
Epson 8350

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tropicalmonsoon Apr 30, 2011 @ 3:20 pm | delete

Wow you've thoroughly covered everything about disks!

BTW when you listed the companies that back Blu-Ray I don't think you should've put Apple in there, because they hardly support blu-ray. Don't have it in any of their products and probably never will. If anything they're against optical media ;)

Other than that, great lens!!

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bluegetth Jan 12, 2011 @ 9:33 pm | delete

OPPO BDP-93 Universal Network 3D Blu-ray Disc Player
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Optical Discs: CD, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray and everything else that's shiny and spinning!

Contents at a Glance

Contents at a Glance

Types of Optical Discs

Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD: Which one will win?

Thanks for voting! Now invite your friends to vote.

How Long Do Optical Discs Last?

Hardware, Software, and Accessories for Optical Discs

Optical Discs and DRM (Digital Rights Management)

Great "Optical Discs" on Amazon!

More "Optical Discs" Stuff on Amazon!

Are you in favor of Digital Rights Management?

Thanks for voting! Now invite your friends to vote.

Drop a line before you go!

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