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 Borders of the hard sectors are visible on the data side of a type 2 DVD-RAM disc. | |
| Media type | Optical disc |
|---|---|
| Capacity |
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| Block size | 2 KiB |
| Read mechanism | 300–650 nm laser |
| Write mechanism | 650 nm laser |
| Dimensions | 12 cm (5"), 8 cm (3") |
| Extended from | DVD, Phase-change Dual |
| Released | 1996 |
| Discontinued | 2019 |
| Optical discs |
|---|
 |
DVD-RAM (DVD Random Access Memory) is a DVD-based disc specification presented in 1996 by the DVD Forum, which specifies rewritable DVD-RAM media and the appropriate DVD writers. DVD-RAM media have been used in computers as well as camcorders and personal video recorders since 1998.[1]
In May 2019, Panasonic, the only remaining manufacturer of DVD-RAM discs, announced that it would end production of DVD-RAM media by the end of that month, citing shrinking demand as the primary motivation.[2] Panasonic made these discs under its own brand name and also under other brands such as Verbatim. Other manufacturer that produced DVD-RAM discs included Ritek and Maxell.[3]
The "RAM" in its name is related to random-access memory that computers use as main memory, not in the technology but in sense that it can be used as a random-access memory unit rather than a sequential-access memory unit such as a magnetic tape drive.
Format
DVD-RAM works by means of phase change technology which was chosen instead of magneto-optical technology (an already existing rewritable solution at the time) because it does not require a magnetic head and therefore it represented reduced complexity and costs. Phase change technology uses laser light to heat the surface of a phase changing alloy and allows it to go from a crystalline to an amorphous state and vice versa, therefore altering its optical reflectivity index. To change the recording material from a crystalline to an amorphous state, and back again a high or medium power laser light is used to control the rate of cooling of the phase changing alloy therefore establishing the final state. Encoding is done by means of difference in reflectivity of the alloy, a laser is pointed at the surface and the returned intensity signifies either a 1 or a 0.[4]
DVD-RAM uses a continuous spiral track divided into hard (factory originated) sectors,[5] in contrast to traditional spiral recording found in other DVD and CD formats. A 12 cm (5") 4.7 GB disc is divided into 35 zones of tracks, with each zone having more sectors per track compared to the previous zone. This makes its data structuring very similar to that of hard drives and floppy disks. This means that usually DVD-RAMs are suitable to be accessed by the OS without any special software [6]
Specification
Recording speeds
Since the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin 2003 the specification is being marketed by the RAM Promotion Group (RAMPRG), built by Hitachi, Toshiba, Maxell, LG Electronics, Matsushita/Panasonic, Samsung, Lite-On and Teac. The specification distinguishes between:
- DVD-RAM version 1.0 (1997), recording speed 1×
– Defines discs with capacity of 2.58 GB per side (24 track zones) (see also: DVD Capacity) - DVD-RAM version 2.0 (1999), recording speed 2×
– Defines discs with more common capacity of 4.7 GB per side (35 track zones) - DVD-RAM version 2.1 (2000)
– Introduces 8-cm discs with capacity of 1.46 GB per side (14 track zones)[7][8] - DVD-RAM version 2.2 (2004) divides drives and discs into two classes due to breaking compatibility:[8][9]
– Class 0, recording speed 2×/3×/5×
– Class 1, recording speed 6×/8×/12×/16× (DVD-RAM2)
Speeds more than 2× are defined by Optional Specifications (Nx-speed DVD-RAM):[8][10]
- Rev. 1.0 (2002) - 3×-speed
- Rev. 2.0 (2004) - 5×-speed
- Rev. 3.0 (2005) - 6×-speed
- Rev. 4.0 (2005) - 8×-speed
- Rev. 5.0 (2005) - 12×-speed
- Rev. 6.0 (2005) - 16×-speed (never released)
Diameters
DVD-RAM discs can have 12 or 8 cm in diameter, around 5 or 3 inches respectively. The latter variant is mainly intended for camcorders that use DVD as storage media and also exists with capacities of 1.46 GB for a single-sided disc, 2.8 GB for a double-sided disc, and 5.6 GB for a dual-layer double sided disc, however, they are relatively uncommon. DVD-RAMs were originally solely sold in disc caddy cartridges; recent DVD recorders can work with discs either with or without a cartridge, and many devices do not work with cartridges. Discs can be removed from cartridges for use with these drives (except with type 1 media, see table above).
Cartridge types
| Size | Bare disc | Non-removable cartridge | Removable cartridge | Empty cartridge/no disc | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sides | single | double | single | double | single | double | single | double |
| 12 cm | yes (type 0) | none | type 1 | type 1 | type 2 | type 4 | type 3 | type 5 |
| 8 cm | yes (type 0) | none | none | none | type 7 | type 6 | type 9 | type 8 |
Compatibility
Many operating systems like the classic Mac OS (from Mac OS 8.6 up), macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows XP can use DVD-RAM directly, while earlier versions of Windows require separate device drivers or the program InCD.
Windows XP can only write directly to FAT32 formatted DVD-RAM discs. For UDF formatted discs, which are considered faster,[by whom?] a third-party UDF file system driver capable of writing or software such as InCD or DLA are required. Windows Vista and later can natively access and write to both FAT32 and UDF formatted DVD-RAM discs using mastered burning method or packet writing. Even though it is possible to use any file system one likes, very few perform well on DVD-RAM. This is because some file systems frequently overwrite data on the disc and the table of contents is contained at the start of the disc. Windows Vista (and later) implement the CPRM data protection and thus discs formatted under Windows XP (or earlier) have compatibility issues with Vista onwards (and vice versa).
The classic Mac OS up to 9.2 can read and write HFS, HFS+, FAT, and UDF formatted DVD-RAM discs directly. In Mac OS X (versions 10.0.x through 10.4.x) UDF-formatting of DVD-RAM is no longer supported, instead formatting and writing DVD-RAM is done in HFS+ format. (UDF support was re-implemented in 10.5 Leopard) (HFS and UFS should also be supported on older versions of Mac OS X that retain support for these file systems.)[12][13]
Many DVD standalone players and recorders do not work with DVD-RAM. However, within "RAMPRG" (the DVD-RAM Promotion Group consisting of Hitachi, Toshiba, Maxell, LG Electronics, Matsushita/Panasonic, Samsung, Lite-On, Teac) there were a number of well-known manufacturers of standalone players, recorders, and camcorders that could use DVD-RAM. Panasonic, for instance, had a range of players and recorders which made full use of the advantages of DVD-RAM.
The last DVD-RAM Specification, DVD-RAM2 (also called RAM2 or Class 1), is not compatible with DVD drives that do not specifically allow reading DVD-RAM2 discs.[14] DVD-RAM2 medium was brought to the market in Japan,[15][16] but was not launched worldwide.[17]
Some high end products such as IBM System p mainframes require DVD-RAM instead of DVD-RW.[18]
Many half-height DVD Multi Recorder drives released between 2006 and 2010, including the TSSTcorp SH-S182/S183 (2006) and SH-S203/TS-H653B (2007) have officially adapted support for 12× DVD-RAM speeds, while more recent DVD writers such as the SH-224DB (2013) and Blu-ray writers such as the LG BE16NU50 (2016) have restricted the supported DVD-RAM writing speed to 5×.[19][20]
The Nintendo Wii U can use DVD-RAM for extended storage over USB.[21][22]
Advantages
- Long life – without physical damage, data is retained for an estimated 30 years. For this reason, it is used for archival storage of data.[23][24]
- Can be rewritten over 100,000 times for the lowest write speed discs (DVD±RW can be rewritten approx. 1,000 times). Faster DVD-RAMs allow fewer rewrites (3× speed: 100,000, 5× speed: 10,000) [citation needed], but still more than DVD+RW or DVD-RW. (These are theoretical numbers. In practice they could be smaller depending on the drive, the treatment of the disc and the file system.)
- Reliable writing of discs. Verification done in hardware by the drive, so post-write verification by software is unnecessary. Software verification is disabled in all current DVD Video Recorders.
- Disc defect management designed to safeguard data.
- DVD-burning software may not be required – discs can be used and accessed like a removable hard disk. Mac OS (8.6 or later) uses DVD-RAM directly. Windows XP uses DVD-RAM directly for FAT32-formatted discs only. Windows Vista is able to write directly to both FAT32- and UDF-formatted DVD-RAM discs from within Windows Explorer. Device drivers or other software are needed for earlier versions of Windows.
- Very fast access of small files on the disc.
- Small 2 KB disc block size wastes less space when writing small files.
- Finalization not necessary. For video recording use, other media such as DVD+RW (when used in DVD+VR mode) do not require a separate finalisation either as finalisation is automatic. The table of contents can be overwritten in this latter media.
- Media available with or without protective cartridges; can be used in the cartridge by many devices.
- In some video recorders DVD-RAM can be written to and read at the same time, allowing one program to be recorded and a different one, or an earlier part of the same one (time slip recording), to be viewed at the same time. DVD+RW recorders can achieve the same thing, and more recently some DVD-RW recorders achieve it as well (though only at the slower recording speeds).
- Usable with some high-end security digital video recorders, such as the Tecton Darlex, as a secure and long-lasting export medium.
- Holds more data when using Double Sided discs than dual-layer DVD+RW and DVD-RW - 9.4 GB for DVD-RAM vs 8.5 GB for DVD+RW DL and DVD-RW DL.
- Has write-protect tabs to prevent accidental deletion when used in a cartridge.
Disadvantages
- High-speed media unavailability: Only 3× and 5× discs were readily available, with 12× RAM2 discs being among the rarest of optical media and never sold outside Japan.
- Higher media cost.[25]
- Less compatibility than DVD+RW and DVD-RW[26] on many DVD devices and early DVD drives (example: [27]), despite DVD-RAM predating both formats (as noted above).
- If random writes are performed with a constant linear velocity (CLV), which may be the only available speed mode on specific drives and/or media, the speed of the rotary engine needs to be re-adjusted each time the pickup system jumps to another position on the disc, significantly impeding transfer speeds.[28]
See also
References
- ↑ "Understanding DVD - Physical, Logical and Application Specifications". www.osta.org. Optical Storage Technology Association. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- ↑ "DVD-RAM Disc for Recording Completion of Production" (in Japanese). Panasonic Corporation. Archived from the original on 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
- ↑ Pioneer. "Supported media list: DVD-RAM" (PDF). pioneer.jp. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ↑ "DVD Technical Guide - Printer Friendly version". Archived from the original on 2021-07-31. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
- ↑ Ecma International (June 2005). "ECMA-330" (PDF). ecma-international.org. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
The track path shall be a continuous spiral from the outside (end of the Lead-out Zone) of the disk.
- ↑ "Data Tech Store".
- ↑ Taylor 2001, pp. 148, 228.
- 1 2 3 "Supplementary Documents issued in the past for DVD-RAM(4.7G) Book" (PDF). DVD FLLC. June 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-09-26. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
- ↑ "Important Notice to the subscribers of the DVD-RAM Format Specifications Book Ver.2.2, regarding compatibility with legacy devices for Class 1 discs" (PDF). DVD Forum. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-11-23. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- ↑ "DVD Book Construction" (PDF). DVD FLLC. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- ↑ Taylor, Jim. "DVD FAQ - What are the DVD-RAM cartridge types?". DVD Demystified. Archived from the original on 2024-03-18. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
- ↑ "Using DVD-RAM discs". support.apple.com. 2012-02-18. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
- ↑ "Mac OS X: "The disc 'Ram' could not be modified" Alert". support.apple.com. 2012-02-17. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
- ↑ "Usage Of 16 X DVD-RAM Disc (RAM2 Disc)". 2008-01-31. Archived from the original on 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
- ↑ "Maxell DRM47D.1P (RAM 12× 1-side) Price Comparison" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2007-10-27. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
Released on March 24, 2006
- ↑ "Maxell DRM47D.1P Review" (in Japanese). 2008-03-10. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Gieselmann, Hartmut (2006-08-30). "No 12× DVD-RAM media for Europe". heise.de (in German). Archived from the original on 2019-05-30. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- ↑ "HMC backup". Archived from the original on 2007-02-23. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
- ↑ "Archive of discontinued Hitachi-LG Data Storage optical drives". Retrieved 2020-07-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "Manual". Archived from the original on 2018-09-04. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
- ↑ Craddock, Ryan (17 May 2021). "Did you know the Wii U can burn eShop games to disc?". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ↑ Friscia, John (17 May 2021). "Wii U can format DVDs and burn eShop games to them, it turns out". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ↑ "Fujifilm DVD-RAM Disc". Fujifilm. 2006-10-17. Archived from the original on 2006-10-17. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
- ↑ "Update: Phase Change WORM". West World Productions and Gale Group. Archived from the original on 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
- ↑ Mark L. Chambers (2004). CD and DVD Recording For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. p. 54, Table 3-1. ISBN 978-0-7645-7073-5.
- ↑ Taylor 2001, p. 224, Table 5.3. Compatibility of Writable DVD Formats.
- ↑ Pioneer DVD-105S from 2000
- ↑ Technology Connextras (Technology Connections) (2019-01-11). DVD-RAMifications (experiments and other goodies relating to DVD-RAM). YouTube. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
Books
- Taylor, Jim (2001). DVD Demystified (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-138944-X.
External links
- RAM Promotion Group (RAMPRG) at the Wayback Machine (archived 2004-04-10)
- ECMA-330 Standard
- ISO/IEC 17592:2004 - publicly available standard
- ISO/IEC 17592, 120 mm; 5" (4,7 Gbytes per side) and 80 mm; 3" (1,46 Gbytes per side) DVD rewritable disk (DVD-RAM)
- Fujitsu DVD-RAM2 compatibility note at the Wayback Machine (archived 2008-01-31)
- Understanding Recordable & Rewritable DVD at the Wayback Machine (archived 2004-06-12)
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