DVD-RAM FAQs
DVD-RAM is now standard in many consumer electronics. The Windows operating system includes built-in support for DVD-RAM drives so the user does not need third-party drivers and software. Choosing the DVD-RAM standard can confuse the consumer as there are several DVD formats with similar names. Overall, DVD-RAM may offer the best choice for writing DVD content onto discs.
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Identification
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DVD-RAM, with RAM short for "Random Access Memory", is a type of rewritable format for DVD technology, reports AfterDawn. DVD-RAM drives work much like a hard-drive; able to write and rewrite portions of a disc without needing to go in a sequential order, reports Creatix's DVD-RAM FAQ. DVD-RAM developers designed it for home computing and entertainment industry needs.
History
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In July 1997, 20 large manufacturers formally adopted DVD-RAM technology as a standard for DVD technology in the DVD Forum, an association of industry-related companies that aim to create industry standards for the DVD format, reports Creatix. Since its inception, 94 percent of all DVD-ROM drives include support for the DVD-RAM format.
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Misconceptions
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DVD-RAM and competing DVD-R or DVD-Rewritable drives are not the same device, although their formats are interchangeable, reports Creatix. A DVD-R or RW drive writes to a disc in sequential order and they are intended for use in home computers only. DVD-RAM is also sometimes confused with DVD-ROM. DVD-ROM discs are used for read-only media, such as movies and video games.
Benefits
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DVD-RAM has an all-around superiority to rewritable CDs and DVD-RW discs. DVD-RAM media can be rewritten more than 100,000 times under optimal conditions; compared with CD-R and DVD-R discs that can only be rewritten about 1,000 times. Only DVD-RAM discs have a built-in security feature to prevent failure of the read/write process when burning a disc.
Future
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In all likelihood, new optical media that uses blue lasers, such as Blu-Ray, and streaming digital technology like Netflix will replace DVD-RAM and other DVD formats as the industry standard, reports The New York Times. Estimated total spending on Blu-Ray technology for 2009 is expected to finally eclipse DVD spending $1.3 billion to $1.2 billion. Even with the advancement of Blu-Ray, DVD-RAM should still have a significant optical media market share as many people are hesitant to invest in new technology that mostly just has increased quality benefits.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of John Ward
