Not all recordable DVDs are the same. One of the most important factors in choosing the right DVD for a project is the size of the data to be stored. Capacity is a key difference between the different DVD formats.
How Does Blu-ray Work? – LaserDisc, CD, DVD, Blu-ray Explained
A standard, single-layer, recordable DVD has 4.7 GB of storage space, enough to hold up to 2 hours (120 minutes) of DVD-quality video. However, since the invention of the DVD in 1995, manufacturers have developed formats that allow for significantly larger storage capacities.
The amount of data that DVDs can hold is determined primarily by the number of sides (one or two) and layers (one or two). As you might expect, double-layer (sometimes called dual-layer) and double-sided DVDs hold more data than standard single-sided, single-layer DVDs. Many computer DVD burners can now burn double-sided and dual-layer DVDs.
DVDs come in a variety of formats, each supporting different capacities. Some of the most common are:
