General And Technology - Sony DVD Rom/DVD Video Owner's Manual

1. General and Technology

1.1 General and Technology
The Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) is the logical successor
of the Compact Disc (CD). Moreover, due to the high
data storage capacity this disc has also become the
data medium for the film-industry. It has been deve-
loped throughout the nineties, but is only now coming
into prominence. In spite of the DVD having a much
higher data storage capacity (between 7 and 24 times)
than the CD, both look the same. The main difference
between DVD and CD consists of the shorter wave-
length of the laser light, which reads the information.
The picture above clearly shows the difference in the
structure of CDs (left) and DVDs (right). (Pictures were
taken by microscope)
Based on the well proven experience in the world
of CD Production, Sony DADC Austria AG has played a
very important role in the field of the development for
the right process of DVD-production.
Because of the fine structure the DVD is able to store
huge amount of data, much more than CDs. Moreover,
the DVD can also be produced with up to four layers
(shown on the following pictures).
There are four main sizes of DVDs:
• DVD 5 (4,7 GigaByte)
• DVD 9 (8,5 GigaByte)
• DVD 10 (9,4 GigaByte)
• DVD 18 (17,1 GigaByte)
DVD 5
1.2 mm
0.6 mm
DVD 9
1.2 mm
0.6 mm
08
single side
single layer
reflective
substrate
layer
substrate
movable Iens
single side
dual layer
reflective
substrate layer
semi reflective
layer
substrate
movable Iens
DVD 10
substrate
1.2 mm
0.6 mm
substrate
movable Iens
DVD 18
substrate
1.2 mm
0.6 mm
substrate
movable Iens
From the production point of view there is a big diffe-
rence between CD and DVD due to the multi-layer tech-
nology. DVDs consist of two polycarbonate discs (each
0,6 mm thick), which are bonded together. This adhe-
ring process is one of the critical production steps since
the laser has to "read through" the adhesive. Sony
DADC Austria AG have developed their own process
throughout years of trial and step-by-step improvement
to its final high reliable and very fast production route.
The DVD 5 is big enough to accommodate 130 min
of movie with one audio stream. To add special
features like interviews of actors, special scenes such
as "The Making Of" or more than one audio stream, it is
recommended to use a DVD 9.
The DVD 9 is big enough to store one film of about 130
min playtime with up to eight languages and an addi-
tional 35 mm approximately of bonus material.
Alternatively, one film with one language, but a playtime
of about 5 hours can be stored.
However if you have generated your content Sony
DADC Austria AG will be happy to find the right DVD for
you.
For capacities smaller than 4,7 GigaByte or some spe-
cial promotion Sony DADC Austria AG is pleased
to offer the MiniDVD, which is a DVD with a diameter of
8 cm. The MiniDVD can accommodate up to 1,46
GigaByte on a single layer or up to 2,66 GigaByte using
the dual layer technology.
double side
single layer
reflective
layers
double side
dual layer
reflective
layers
semi reflective
layers