Why Not Use DVD DL (8GB)?

[EViS]

I've noticed that everyone here is burning their DVD's onto single layer 4.7GB DVD-R's, why are Dual Layer DVD-R's not used and video's are simply compressed more?

[AlanHK]

Because DLs are 3 or 4 times more expensive than single layer, so on a $/minute scale, (if you're compiling several short features) they lose to SL. Also, your average 2 or even 3 hour movie can fit on a SL with excellent quality, after you strip out the useless stuff, most commercial features fit with little or no extra compression.

[noki]

compatibility issues. 30% chance the burned DL DVDR will NOT play properly on any given system. I believe the stated compatibility of a known HI_QUALITY media-ID single is about 99%.

[EViS]

Other than cost of the media and the 30% of DVD players not being compatible with DL DVDR, are there any other issues?

[hech54]

If you disect a Hollywood DVD...you'll find that the movie only usually fits to a single layer DVD even without transcoding it.

[psx_pirate]

High Quality dvdr-dl (dual layer) =uk £1.00 - £1.50
High quality dvdr (single layer) = uk £0.20 - £0.25

Apart from the obvious price difference there are also compatibility issues ... many dvd players won't play dual layer dvdr's

Stick with single layer dvdr's for maximum compatibility and you save a small fortune too

The only other issue is that it takes longer to burn 8.5gb compared to 4.7gb ... ok not really an issue but worth considering ... i look at it like this ... the longer the burning proccess the more likely a chance of a failed burn ... at £1.50 thats an expensive coaster :P

[EViS]

hech54: "you'll find that the movie only usually fits to a single layer DVD even without transcoding it" First I've heard ...

psx_pirate: "... many dvd players won't play dual layer dvdr's"... So how do those DVD players play DL retail pressed discs? Or is it because pressed discs behave differently to ones with dye on them?

[psx_pirate]

psx_pirate:... "many dvd players won't play dual layer dvdr's"... So how do those DVD players play DL retail pressed discs? Or is it because pressed discs behave differently to ones with dye on them?

The same way that many years ago when cd-r's first came out many cd players couldn't play them ....and when dvdr's first came out many dvd players couldn't play them .... pressed and recordable disks are not the same.

Many newer dvd players will play dvdr dl disks because the software (firmware) of these players is designed to play them ... but older (and indeed some new) dvd players can't

[EViS]

Thanks for the advice !

I'm still intrigued by hollywood films only using up half a DL DVD however...

Can anyone back this source up please?

[Jim44]

Many newer dvd players will play dvdr dl disks because the software (firmware) of these players is designed to play them ... but older (and indeed some new) dvd players can't

Define "older" My 6-7 year old Panasonic will play burned DL DVDs just fine.

Just one data point,
Jim

[psx_pirate]

Thanks for the advice !

I'm still intrigued by hollywood films only using up half a DL DVD however...

Can anyone back this source up please?

They don't use half a dvd dl ... however the movie can often (but not always) be made to fit on a single layer dvdr ... this is done by ripping the dvd and then removing unwanted stuff such as the extra features, trailers, foriegn soundtracks, directors commets etc and subtitles ... this leaves just the movie with the desired soundtrack (such as english 5.1) and this will often fit on a single layer dvdr without the need to compress

[ZippyP.]

Can anyone back this source up please?

Only most people on this board. It's a fact, most movies will fit on a single layer disk with little or no compression after removing all the "special features."

[psx_pirate]

Define "older" My 6-7 year old Panasonic will play burned DL DVDs just fine.

Just one data point,
Jim

Yes this is possible .... even a very few "older" models can play dvdr dl ... it seems that some manufacturers anticipated that dvdr dl would someday be available and designed their players to accept them ... however this is limited to a very few older players and the majority will not play dvdr dl

[MOVIEGEEK]

Can anyone back this source up please?

Only most people on this board. It's a fact, most movies will fit on a single layer disk with little or no compression after removing all the "special features."

I wouldn't say most movies but somewhere around 50%,movies that are over 2hrs and Sony 'Superbit' DVD's usually have to be compressed.

[VegasBud]

EViS,

In your first post in this thread you asked about "Dual Layer DVD-R's". It's probably just a typo, but just to make absolutely certain, you should only use "Dual Layer DVD+Rs" (preferably Verbatim) for dvd-video. The -RDLs lead to coaster city (for dvd-video).

[EViS]

It wasn't a typo . Thanks for that advice, has been noted! .

[EViS]

I understand this would be the same with Single Layer DVDR's? DVD+R all the way?

[hech54]

Thanks for the advice !

I'm still intrigued by hollywood films only using up half a DL DVD however...

Can anyone back this source up please?

"Movie Only"....reauthoring the disc...taking off useless crap like 7 languages and subtitles, silly games, etc etc etc. The Dual Layer Hollywood disc is full to the brim...but in MANY cases the movie only will fit to a regular single layer recordable.

[hyksoss]

I understand this would be the same with Single Layer DVDR's? DVD+R all the way?

I would say that probably most people use dvd-r when using single layer.
We always say these are more compatible but there is not a big difference.

"
DVD-R/DVD-RW drives currently have the highest market penetration, both with PCs and Macs. As previously mentioned, DVD-R enjoys high compatibility with standalone DVD players. In addition, the low cost of DVD-RW is attractive to many for backup purposes. Furthermore, most standalone DVD players will read DVD-RW as well, although the compatibility rate is lower than with DVD-R.

DVD+R/DVD+RW is gaining market share, and these discs appear to have similar compatibility on standalone DVD players as DVD-R/DVD-RW discs. Similarly, current functionality with these drives is similar to DVD-R/DVD-RW drives, both for data and for video applications, and they likely are equally reliable.
"

But it's a good question I guess, why do we use dvd-r? there is probably less and less good reasons as time pass. Anyone?

But could somebody develop as to why DL dvd+r are better than dl dvd-r for video purposes?
Why is it so?

thx

[VegasBud]

EViS,

No, it's only on the dual layer that the -Rs suck. For single layer I mostly use -R, but there's nothing wrong with the +R single layer. For single layer, use whichever format you like best, or have on hand.

[VegasBud]

hyksoss,

If you're asking why they made the -RDL so dvd-video unfriendly, I've wondered the same thing myself. With all the time, effort and money they put into developing it, you'd think someone in the team, somewhere along the way, would have noticed the problem, and said something.

If you're asking why the -RDLs aren't well suited for dvd-video, it comes down to how the layer break is handled. +RDLs have a flexible layer break, and -RDLs have a fixed layer break. -RDLs must completely fill the first layer before moving on to the second layer, which means the outer edge of the disk, which is the most susceptible to errors, is always used (with -RDL). +RDLs put the layer break about half way through the data, so it can draw back from the disk's edge as far as possible, and be more stable. Plus there's the whole issue of a -RDL having a narrower window where a layer break can occur, which limits your choices when selecting the layer break point. Then throw in the greater compatibility problem with many players for -RDL versus +RDL. Finally, -RDLs cost a lot more than +RDLs.

[bmiller]

I have been using verbatim dual layer discs for 2 years now and have not encountered a dvd player that will not play them.The burn program can be a major problem as well as a burner that does not tag dl discs as dvd-rom.Mine have played on about 30 dvd players without a hitch so far.
About half the movies i come across can fit on a single layer.
I can get verbatims for $1.50 canadian when they come on sale,and the odd time a little cheaper.2 years ago they were $5-$7 each.