Authoring Conventions

Introduction: I am going to give a detailed description of authoring conventions, covering, R; +RW

R; -RW; dual layer; writing speed; audio; video; menus. I will also be including illustration.

DVD+R: The DVD+R format was developed in 2002 by a coalition of corporations now known as the
DVD+RW Alliancing. A DVD+R disc holds 4.7 GB of storage. DVD+R discs carry up to 8.5 GB of data,
virtually the same as DVD-R. From 2006, the market for recordable DVD technology shows little sign
of settling down in favour of either the DVD R or DVD R+ formats, which is mostly the result of the
increasing numbers of dual format devices that can record to both formats. It is now very difficult to
find new computer drives that can only record to one of the formats, DVD Video recorders still favour
R- over R+. The difference between DVD-R and DVD+R is not important for DVD players because
virtually all players use both formats to play their DVD the difference is important in DVD recorders.
often providing restrictions on what the R+ format will do. However, because the DVD-R format has
been in use since 1997, it has had a five-year lead on DVD+R. As such, older or cheaper DVD players
up to 2004 vintage are more likely to favour the DVD-R standard exclusively. A
DVD+R is a recordable disc which data can be placed onto. However, when
burned onto the disc it is permanent and cannot be replaced like on a DVD
rewritable. This is an upgrade for the DVD-R which was replaced by this one due
to the increase in writing speed. They hold a maximum storage of 4.7 GB and are used for storing
non-volatile data.

DVD +RW: The format was developed by Pioneer in November 1999. The
DVD+RW format is divergent from the DVD-RW format. DVD+RW must be
formatted before recording by a DVD recorder. There are a number of
significant technical differences between the dash and the plus format,
although most users would not notice the difference. These slight changes
play a pivotal part in different formats speed and quality. These are the exact
same as a DVD+R in terms of format and how they work. However, data can be recorded over
DVD+R rather than DVD+R. This means that once you have placed data onto an RW it can be
recorded over with different data.

DVD-R: DVD-R is a digital optical disc storage format. The DVD-R format was developed by Pioneer in
1997 It is supported by DVD players and is approved by the DVD Forum. A DVD-R typically has a
storage capacity of 4.7 GB. Pioneer has also developed an 8.5 GB dual layer version, DVD-R DL, which
appeared on the market in 2005. In 2011, JVC announced an archival DVD recording media
manufactured with quality control and inspection frequencies techniques greater than is traditionally
used in media manufacturing and using specially developed silver alloy as a reflective layer and
organic dye with in house developed additives to secure long-term data storage. This is the older
version DVD-R which is now seen superior to its predecessor This is because of the improved and
more accurate writing speed which comes with the DVD+R in comparison to the -R. The -R is more
susceptible to errors.
DVD-RW: A mini DVD-RW holds 1.5 GB data. The data on a DVD-RW disc can be erased and recorded
over numerous times without damaging the medium. DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM are supported
by Panasonic, Toshiba, Apple Computer, Hitachi, NEC, Pioneer, Samsung and Sharp. These formats
are also supported by the DVD Forum. This is practically the same as a DVD+RW however the writing
speed is not as fast or accurate.

Dual Layer: Dual layer refers to a DVD recording technology that provides users with 8.5-GB of
recording space (as opposed to 4.7GB of space) on a standard DVD+R discs). The additional recording
space is the direct result of dual layer technology. As the name suggests, dual layer technology
provides two individual recordable layers on a single sided DVD disc. To take advantage of dual layer
technology when recording DVDs, you must use a dual layer enabled DVD burner and dual layer DVD
media. Dual layer technology media can be read once recorded by most DVD drives and players
currently on the market. Dual layer technology has been used for many years in the production of
commercial DVD movies but is now available for home and business recording as well. The recording
speed is much lower on a dual layered DVD than that of a single layered.

Writing Speed: Writing speed refers to the time in which it takes for media or data to be burnt onto a
DVD or CD. Generally, this does not affect the quality of the media rather just effects how fast the
data is recorded onto the disc. However, it is thought that if too high of a writing speed is used then
this can damage the optical properties of the DVD. if a DVD is written to fast it can make it less
reflective due to the speed the laser has hit it when recording. Therefore, this could result in the
media jumping or unwanted audio such as clicks a muffled sound. This means that, it is important to
choose the correct speed which suits the disc and the media or data you are burning onto it.
Audio: Audio is sound within the acoustic range available to humans. In terms of DVD disks, It is
possible to put audio on DVD discs however they are rarely used. Audio will be used to supplement
the data or existing media on the disc. Audio within the files of a film or the audio in the background
of a menu screen. Audio files are usually compressed for storage or faster transmission. Audio files
can be sent in short stand-alone segments - for example, as files in the Wave file format. In order for
users to receive sound in real-time for a multimedia effect, listening to music, or in order to take part
in an audio or video conference, sound must be delivered as streaming sound but Audio is especially
used on DVDS and plays a pivotal part towards it.

Video: The DVD-Video is a simple but effective process of the DVD in general. The consumer video
format used to store digital video on DVD discs, a video format for displaying full-length digital
movies. A number of manufacturers are just beginning to sell DVD-Video players, which attach to a
television just like a video player.

Menus: Menus is where you are generally directed too upon loading up a DVD disc. A menu will
usually be the homepage of the DVD which allows you to navigate to specific aspects of media and
data with ease. For example, chapter selection or special features. I have chosen the Star Trek menus
as and it is colourful and set out well, as you can see, a usual menu will include a Play Button, usually
at the top. It will also feature, Audio, Subtitles, special features and screen selection, so you can pick
and choose when necessary.