DVD Overview & Features
www.disctronics.co.uk
DVD, the Digital Versatile Disc, is a high capacity CD-size disc for video, multimedia, games and audio
applications. Capacities for the read-only disc range from 4.7GB to 17.1GB.
The high quality of video and audio has helped DVD-Video to replace VHS for pre-recorded titles and to
increase the overall video market in most regions. Statistics show that DVD is growing faster than any other
consumer electronics format in the USA and Europe. PCs with DVD capability are also selling, but multimedia
and games applications of DVD have been slow to start. The advent of new games consoles using DVD is also
helping to stimulate further sales.
DVD Applications
Despite the success of the compact disc there has been a clear need for a higher capacity format to meet
additional application requirements.
DVD-Video, which was launched in 1997 in the USA, has become the most successful of all the DVD formats,
as it has proved to be an ideal vehicle for distributing video content from the movie industry. It can store a full-
length movie of high quality video with surround sound audio on a disc the same size as a CD.
DVD-ROM is beginning to replace the CD-ROM and provide a new high capacity disc format for the computer
industry. New PCs are now provided with DVD drives instead of CD drives. The entertainment industry has
developed new games consoles (eg Sony's PS2 and Microsoft's X-Box) which incorporate DVD-ROM drives for
more sophisticated and realistic games applications.
DVD-Audio, which was launched in 2000, is slowly gathering momentum to become the format for very high
quality, surround sound music, offering the music industry new revenue opportunities.
Recordable formats such as DVD-RAM, DVD-RW and DVD-R are now being extensively used in PCs for
computer backup and short runs of DVDs and in standalone products such as video recorders and camcorders.
DVD technology offers an optical disc with a much larger capacity than the compact disc and is available as a
family of pre-recorded, recordable and re-writable formats to meet the requirements of the industries and
applications mentioned above.
DVD-Video and DVD-ROM hardware and software have been available since 1997. DVD-Audio was launched
in 2000. DVD writers and DVD video recorders are now available at affordable prices.
DVD Features
DVD started as the Digital Video Disc but now means Digital Versatile Disc or just DVD. It is a multi-
application family of optical disc formats for read-only, recordable and re-writable applications. The main
features of the DVD formats are:
Backwards compatibility with current CD media. All DVD hardware will play audio CDs and CD-ROMs
(although not all hardware will play CD-Rs or CD-RWs)..
Physical dimensions identical to compact disc but using two 0.6 mm thick substrates, bonded together.
Single-layer/dual-layer and single/double sided options.
Up to 4.7 GB read-only capacity per layer, 8.5 GB per side maximum.
Designed from the outset for video, audio and multimedia, not just audio.
All formats use a common file system (UDF).
Digital and analogue copy protection for DVD-Video and DVD-Audio built into standard.
Recordable and re-writable versions are part of the family.
DVD developments started in 1994 and the format was launched in 1996. Since then new formats and revisions
have appeared.
DVD started in 1994 as two competing formats, Super Disc (SD) and Multimedia CD (MMCD). DVD now is
the result of an agreement by both camps on a single standard to meet the requirements of all the various
industries involved.
Year Events
1994
Hollywood ad hoc committee defined features for movies on 'CD' .
1995
Philips/Sony announced and demonstrate MMCD
Toshiba & Warner announce and demonstrate SD
Agreement on a single standard format called DVD
1996
DVD-ROM and DVD-Video specifications version 1.0 published
Digital copy protection scheme (CSS) agreed
First DVD-Video players sold in Tokyo (Nov)
1997
Launch of DVD in USA (Aug)
DVD Consortium becomes DVD Forum, expands membership and holds first General DVD Forum
Meeting with 120 members
1998
DVD-Video version 1.1 and DVD-ROM version 1.01 specifications released
DVD Forum adopts DVD-RW
DVD Forum announces 7 new members of DVD steering committee making 17 in all
DVD Forum publishes DVD-Audio (0.9) specification
Full launch of DVD in Europe
1m DVD-Video players sold in USA
4.7 GB DVD-R and DVD-RAM version 1.9 specifications released
1999
DVD-Audio (1.0), DVD-Video Recording (0.9 & 1.0), DVD-RW (0.9) and DVD-RAM (2.0)
specifications published.
2000
CPPM copy protection for DVD-Audio agreed
DVD-Audio players launched in USA (Jul)
First DVD-Audio discs in USA (Nov)
DVD-RW Part 2 (1.0), DVD-R for Authoring (2.0), DVD-R for General (2.0) and DVD Stream
Recording (0.9) specifications published.
2001
DVD-Audio players & discs available
DVD Video Recorders launched in Europe etc
DVD-Multi (1.0), DVD Stream Recording (1.0), DVD-Audio (1.2) and DVD-Video Recording (1.1)
specifications published.
DVD Video Recorders launched in Europe etc
Guidelines for IEEE 1394 transmission for DVD-Video/Audio issued.
2002
WG-11 created to study future blue laser format
DVD-Audio recording specification ver 0.9 issued
Hybrid DVD-Audio format considered by DVD Forum
2003
DVD Forum reject hybrid DVD-Audio format
DVD Forum selects 0.6mm HD DVD, shelves 0.1mm
DVD Forum releases iDVD specifications
DVD Physical Specifications
Find out here how DVD discs differ from CDs and how they contain much more data for a wide range of
applications.
Please note that the descriptions below represent brief summaries of the DVD specifications which can be
obtained from the DVD Forum DVD Forum.
The DVD technical specifications are contained in five books A to E published by the DVD Forum.
Book Name Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Ver
Physical File System Application
A DVD-ROM Read-only ISO 9660 + UDF undefined ver 1.01
DVD-ROM
B DVD-Video Read-only UDF MPEG-2 video ver 1.1
DVD-Video
C DVD-Audio Read-only UDF high quality audio ver 1.2
DVD-Audio
D DVD-R Write once UDF not defined ver 2.0
DVD-R
E DVD-RAM and DV-RW Rewritable UDF not defined ver 2.0
DVD-RAM & DVD-RW
Physical Parameters
The table below summarises the physical parameters of DVD and compares them with those of CD and CD-
ROM.
Parameter CD DVD Comments
# layers 1 single dual see Disc Formats
Disc Formats
Thickness (mm) 1.2 0.6 2 x 0.6 mm
# sides 1 2 DVD substrates bonded
Track pitch 1.6 0.74 microns
Min pit length 0.83 0.4 0.44 microns
Scan velocity 1.3 3.49 3.84 m/sec
Wavelength (nm) 780 635/650 red laser for DVD
Numerical aperture 0.45 0.6
Modulation EFM 8 to 16 EFM is 8 to 17
Error protection CIRC RSPC Block protection for DVD
3rd layer ECC CD- No Not needed for DVD
ROM
Subcode/Tracks Yes No Not needed for DVD
DVD Sector Structure
The data on a DVD disc are organised as sectors of 2048 bytes plus 12 bytes of header data (see below). Blocks
of 16 sectors are error protected using RSPC RS PC (Reed Solomon Product Code), which is block oriented and
is more suitable for re-writable discs (with packet writing) than CIRC which does not use a block format. The PI
and PO data are parity bytes calculated horizontally and vertically over the data bytes.
In addition DVD uses an 8 to 16 modulation scheme giving pit lengths of 3 to 14 (minimum to maximum
length) compared with CD's 3 to 11 with EFM modulation. This is only a small difference but does make the
jitter specification slightly tighter.
Burst Cutting Area
The Burst Cutting Area (BCA) is an annular area within the disc hub where a bar code can be written for
additional information such as serial numbers. The BCA can be written during mastering and will be common
for all discs from that master or, more usually, will be written using a YAG laser to 'cut' the barcode into the
aluminium reflective layer of the finished disc. The data stored in the BCA can be from 12 bytes to 188 bytes in
steps of 16 bytes. The ill-fated Divx format used BCA to uniquely identify every disc. New uses of this or
similar technologies are being developed to use the BCA as a unique, tamper-proof means of identifying
individual discs.
DVD discs come in a range of different physical formats with capacities from 4.7 GB to 17.1 GB
DVD discs have the same physical dimensions as CDs, but each DVD comprises two substrates each 0.6mm
thick and bonded together like a sandwich.
This offers the possibility of discs with up to two sides and up to two layers offering four possible read-only
formats:
Name Capacity (GB) Layers Sides Comments
DVD-5 4.7 1 1 Single side/layer
DVD-5
DVD-9 8.54 2 1 Dual layer
DVD-9
DVD-10 9.4 1 2 Double sided
DVD-10
DVD-18 17.08 2 2 Dual layer/side
DVD-18*
*DVD-18 is difficult to manufacture and, as it is a double-sided format, there is little room for a label and the
disc needs to be turned over to play both sides.
Note that 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes.
DVD Disc Layout
Each layer of a DVD disc contains lead-in, data area and lead-out like a CD. For dual layer (DVD-9 DVD-9)
discs the two layers comprise a single volume, but can be organised in two different ways depending on the
application:
• Parallel Track Path PTP), where the two layers both start at the inside diameter (ID) and end at the
OD with the lead-out. This is suitable for DVD-ROM.
• Opposite Track Path (OTP), where layer 0 starts at the ID and layer 1 starts where layer 0 ends. For
such discs there is one lead-in (on layer 0), one lead-out (on layer 1) and two middle areas. This is
suitable for DVD-Video where a single movie can occupy both layers with a layer break in the middle.
Using OTP allows a near seamless jump from layer 0 to layer 1.
These layouts for single and dual layer discs are illustrated below.
DVD-5 and DVD-10 discs
Single layer, single and double sided disc formats, which are the easiest to make.
DVD-5 (4.7GB) Single Sided/Single Layer
The DVD-5 is the simplest of the family of DVD discs, comprising a single layer with a capacity of 4.7GB.
Only one of the two 0.6mm substrates contains data, the other being a blank disc. The two substrates are bonded
together to form a 1.2mm thick disc.
Single sided discs can be printed on by any conventional method eg screen printing. Alternatively, the blank
substrate can be moulded with an image in its surface and then metalised to make it visible.
DVD-10 (9.4GB) Double Sided/1 Layer
This disc comprises two sides each single layer. It differs from the DVD-5 version in that both substrates contain
data. To read both sides the disc will need to be turned over for most DVD players/readers. The capacity is
9.4GB, twice the single side/single layer version.
Double sided discs cannot be printed except on the hub inside the lead-in area. Labelling is therefore a problem
with such discs.
DVD-9 and DVD-18 discs
Dual layer, single and double sided discs which are more difficult to make.
DVD-9 (8.5GB) Single Sided/Dual Layer
This dual-layer, single sided version has a capacity of 8.5GB which is slightly less than twice the single layer
version, to make it easier for the second layer to be read. Pits on both layers are 10 per cent longer than on a
DVD-5 or DVD-10 disc.
Each layer is moulded in one substrate, the two substrates being joined with an optically transparent bonding
layer. These discs can be printed after bonding in the conventional way.
DVD-18 (17.1GB) Double Sided/2 Layers
This version comprises two sides each with a dual layer format. Both layers of each side must be manufactured
on a single polycarbonate substrate.
It has the largest capacity of the family but is the most difficult and complex to manufacture. Four stampers are
needed to create the four layers.
Hybrid & Combination Formats
Including hybrid DVD and DVD Plus formats
A number of formats that combine different formats on different layers have been developed, although not all
are approved by the DVD Forum.
Combination disc formats
Combination disc formats, for example combining DVD-ROM on one side with DVD-RAM on the other, have
been approved by the DVD Forum. Such discs are double sided discs and are read from both sides.
Hybrid SACD
Hybrid SACD is a format developed by Philips and Sony and combines a SACD (ie physically a DVD layer)
with a CD layer. Both layers are read from the same side, which means that the SACD layer must be reflective
for the red laser but will transmit the infra red CD laser. Such discs can then be played on both a CD player
(which will read the CD layer) and a SACD player.
Hybrid DVD
Hybrid DVD is a similar format to the hybrid SACD and has undergone study and playability tests by the DVD
Forum, but has been rejected for compatibility reasons. The main problem is that many DVD players have been
designed to look for a CD layer first and play that, so ignoring the DVD layer.
DVD Plus
DVD Plus refers to a disc comprising a CD bonded to a DVD substrate. The resulting disc allows both DVD and
CD data to be read from one disc, like a hybrid DVD, but the disc is read from both sides.
Early versions of this format were 1.8 mm thick, but this has been reduced to 1.5 mm. At the time of writing this
format is not approved by the DVD Forum, but may be used instead of the hybrid version to add CD
compatibility to DVD-Audio discs.
DVD File Systems
All DVD discs use the UDF file system, designed for both read-only and recordable discs.
A new file system was chosen for DVD which would suit both read-only and writable versions. This file system
is a subset of UDF (Universal Disk Format) called micro UDF (M-UDF). The main characteristics of UDF are:
• Robust file exchange
• System & vendor independent
• Writable & read-only media
• Based on ISO 13346
UDF has been extended to provide the necessary features for both write-once and rewritable discs. A
combination of UDF and ISO 9660 ISO 9660 (known as UDF Bridge) is used on some DVD discs to provide
compatibility with existing operating systems, including Windows95. Applications can access the data files
using either ISO 9660 or UDF file structures, but the use of UDF is recommended.
Directory Structure
The directory structure of a DVD disc is as shown below, where only the VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS
directories are mandatory. Files which are not for DVD-Video or DVD-Audio are contained in other directories
as required by the application.
• DVD-Video discs use only UDF (not ISO 9660) with all required data specified by UDF and ISO
13346 to allow playing in computer systems. The DVD-Video files must be no larger than 1 GB in size
and be recorded as a single extent (ie in one continuous sequence). The first directory on the disc must
be the VIDEO_TS directory containing all the files. All filenames are 8.3 format. All other files not
included in the DVD-Video specification will be ignored by DVD-Video players.
• DVD-Audio discs also only use UDF and files are contained in the AUDIO_TS directory.
• DVD-ROM discs use UDF (plus ISO 9660 for compatibility with Windows95). The UDF Bridge
specification does not explicitly include the Joliet Joliet extensions for ISO 9660 which are needed for
long filenames.
DVD Copy Protection
Both DVD-Video and DVD-Audio offer digital and analogue copy protection
Copy protection for DVD is only for video and audio content and comprises both digital and analogue methods
for preventing users from making perfect copies of the source material.
Digital copy protection involves scrambling the raw data using certain keys, which are stored on the disc in
encrypted form. In the decoder, the original keys are obtained by inverting the encryption process and the data is
then de-scrambled using the decrypted keys.
• DVD-Video titles can use CSS CSS (Content Scrambling System)
• DVD-Audio titles can use CPPM CPPM (Content Protection for Pre-recorded Media)
• Recordable discs can use CPRM CPRM (Content Protection for Recordable Media).
For DVD-ROM there is no copy protection, but techniques currently used for CD-ROM are being extended to
DVD.
Analogue copy protection APS (APS) makes use of a technique developed by Macrovision, which distorts the
analogue output waveform so that the picture quality is unaffected but it cannot be successfully played back
from VHS tape.
Watermarking systems have been developed for both audio and video content and are undergoing tests. These
systems allow the source and ownership of the audio or video to be verified.
DVD Forum & DVD FLLC
The DVD specifications have been produced and published by the DVD Forum.
The DVD Forum DVD Forum was originally called the DVD Consortium and comprised the following 10
members who were responsible for developing the DVD standards and specifications:
• AOL Time Warner • Philips
• Hitachi • Pioneer
• JVC • Sony
• Matsushita • Thomson
• Mitsubishi • Toshiba
Seven new members were added to these to form the DVD Steering Committee:
• IBM Corporation • LG Electronics
• Industry Technology • NEC Corporation
Research Institute of • Samsung
Taiwan Electronics
• Intel Corporation • Sharp
Corporation
The DVD Forum now has about 230 members, 12% of which are in Europe. General Meetings of the DVD
Forum are held annually and members are entitled to attend. There are two categories of DVD Forum
membership:
• Principal (or 'A') members who can vote at General Meetings
• Associate (or 'B') members who can attend but cannot vote at General Meetings
Disctronics has been an Associate Member of the DVD Forum since December 1997. DVD Forum Working
Groups
The DVD Forum continues to maintain and improve the specifications describing the various standards and to
carry out other related work in support of the formats. This work is carried out by a number of working groups
under the Technical Coordination Group (TCG).
WG1 DVD-Video Create and maintain video application specifications.
WG2 DVD-ROM Create and maintain specifications for DVD Read-Only Disc.
WG3 File systems Create and maintain file system specifications for all types of DVD discs and file system
implementations for specific applications.
WG4 DVD-Audio Create and maintain audio application specifications.
WG5 DVD-RAM Create and maintain the Physical Specifications for the DVD-Rewritable Disc Format.
WG6 DVD-R Create and maintain the Physical Specifications for the DVD-Recordable Disc.
DVD-RW Create and maintain the Physical Specifications for the DVD Re-Recordable Disc.
WG9 Copy Protection Review copy protection proposals and make proposals to the Technical Coordination
Group.
WG10 Professional Use Create DVD application formats for broadcasting and industrial use.
WG11 Blue Laser formats. Study proposals for a next generation blue laser format.
DVD Format/Logo Licensing Corp
In 2000 the DVD Format/Logo Licensing Corp (DVDFLLC DVD FLLC) was established to handle issuing of
the DVD specifications, granting licenses to manufacturers and policing the use of the DVD logos.
All manufacturers of hardware, discs and related DVD products must be licensed and first products verified to
ensure that all players will play all discs. The correct logos must be used for the appropriate products in the
appropriate way.
The DVD FLLC is taking firm action against companies that are manufacturing or selling non-licensed products
or are using the incorrect logos.
