Is DVD-Ram dead?

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I thought it was until I discovered the Panasonic angle. There seems to be a number of new consumer video recording devices that have embrassed the format (cameras, set top recorders, and new devices recently released for recording mobile video) . Any opinions?

I've been playing around with the format and have been suprised by its versitility.

[vitualis]

DEAD...

DVD-RAM is very good (sort of works like a huge floppy) but it doesn't play on anything...

Regards.

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This looks interesting:

Long URL -- edited by vitualis

Plus at a recent electronics trade show I was suprised at all of the gadgets that catered to dvd-ram.

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Been looking at the vro file format and the new stuff. Not so sure about the dead comment. Can confirm it is not a VCD player format though.

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http://www.smr-home-theatre.org/ces2003/sources/image_004.shtml

My only point is that if this stuff goes to the set top box then dvd-ram is a natural.

I've been right before.

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http://www.consumerdvreviews.com/news/0103/01102003_02.asp

Smelling something here. Not advocating a position but if you have an e-30 (or something similiar) then dvd-ram solutions tend to pop up on the radar screen.

[vitualis]

As I said, DVD-RAM is actually very good -- especially for stand-alone type applications where it can do random read/write.

However, the technology is hamstrung by the fact that your average DVD player is not going to be able to read DVD-RAM discs.

IMHO, it's a dead end tech.

Regards.

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Micheal.... so true. I agree.

Keep an eye on it though. It may suprise. Like I said I've been playing around with it and have been impressed. I orginally thought it was just a data storage format. But now I feel its more than that.

Perhaps because I've been able to run a few vro files through some authoring software. Like I said I'm not an advocate but I'm keeping my eyes open.

My interest was raised because I started to see some new products released around the format. They may fail but I had to take a look.

Plus I've been playing with a panasonic 521 which does dvd-ram and dvd-r. I never like the panasonic product but who knows I may change my mind.

[KTH]

Actually I am hoping that one of the companies that make DVD authoring software would come out with an option that would convert video on your DVD-RAM (Recorded on a E20, E30) to DVD-R. They could use a menu that looks like the Direct Navigator menu (it doesn't have to be fancy) and hopefully it would convert your Markers on the disc to chapters. Is this asking too much?

[jsnkc1]

Why don't you just record to DVD-R in the first place.

[vitualis]

Because you don't get the menus then...

DVD-RAM is a very flexible format. DVD-R is somewhat more limited.

Regards.

[RAAGAAman]

RAM is not Dead if you live in Asia. This is a very big format in Japan. RAM might make a comeback in the US when Panasonic gets set top recorders that are around $299.00 or less out. I see that within the next year. I have an old E10 and I love it for recording TV programs.

RG

[andydd]

DVD RAM on the Panny recorders is very cool, mainly due to its record and play at same time function (something that you cant do if u use a DVD-R). If a film is on TV i want, I record it on a DVD RAM then put it in my PC and edit out the ads, make a menu n then burn it onto a DVD-R.

On another note i Recently had new Panny DVD writer and was very doissapointed..didnt even recognise a lot of my blank DVD-Rs including Datawrite nor most of my Official panasonic DVD RAM discs (which it claims to support) but i did manage to burn a DVD movie onto a DVD RAM disc using Nero and i then tried to play this in my Panny DMR E30 and hey presto...Unknown Format , you would of thought thet the Panny DMR E30 and the panny DVD writer would be perfect mates for each other and very compatible but it appears thet they were made by different companies on different planets....anyway the Panny DVD writer went back and was replaced by a good old faithfull Pioneer 104.

[yongkuk]

RAM is Panasonics baby and they are still plugging it hard. They are going to start and build support for RAM in some of their kit. There is already a portable DVD-TV which has RAM support.

[disturbed1]

DVD Forum is trying to hype it up too.

All future players will already support the VRO format on DVD-RW.

If the set top makers want that spiffy new DVD-Multi logo, they'll have to support DVD-RAM also.

DVD-RAM discs out sold DVD+R and DVD+RW discs last year, and are already slightly ahead in sales this year.

Many corporations use this media for data, it's more convient than tape, has a better shelf life, and more rewrites.

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I am becoming more convinced every day. But superior formats have failed in the past. If more consumer products are released that support the format then it may have a chance.

[atb]

DVD-RAM still alive, and when u use it with data/video storge is every good. lots of panasonic dvd-player could read dvd-ram, even their entry level dvd player DVD-S35s or DVD-S31s (only $89 bucks at costco) can read it too. DVD-RAM won't die soon, it lives on!

[txpharoah]

Great format for the niche market, similar to Betacam SP, S-VHS, computer tape backup, etc. Not popular, but not dead because it's liable to have industrial/professional uses that consumers rarely see.