CDs and DVDs

2
CDs and DVDs
The following presentation is intended for
the layperson who only wants to know how
to use CDs and DVDs.

The primary focus of this presentation will
be CDs although DVDs will be briefly
addressed.
3
CDs and DVDs
History:
The Compact Disc, and more specifically audio
compact disc (CD-DA), was introduced to the
market in 1982 (Japan) by the Philips and Sony
Corporations as an alternative to the vinyl disc
and audio cassette.

Beethovens 5
th
Symphony established the
capacity of the first audio CDs.
4
CDs and DVDs
History: (conti.)
In 1984 both companies extended the
technology so it can be used to store and
retrieve data and so the CD-ROM was born.

In 1990 again Philips and Sony expanded the
technology and created the recordable compact
disc (CD-R). Up to then, the CD-ROMs were
manufactured by industrial stamping with a
master made from the original.
5
CDs and DVDs
History: (conti.)
In 1991 the Pioneer Corporation began development of
a new Digital Video Disc format. During this time
significant advances in software development, specialty
compression algorithms for video applications were
developed so that the CD disk size could be maintained.

In 1995 Sony led a 9 company consortium to introduce
a standard for recordable DVDs. Today, though, the
DVD recordable is not standardized and two types of
systems coexists: DVD-R and DVD+R.
6
CDs and DVDs
CDs and DVDs although they look the same they are all
different.

On each disk is a media descriptor that tells the computer
what type of disk it is.

CD-Rs technically WORMs (Write Once Read Many) are
once written too and are read-only. Approximate capacity
is 80 minutes of audio or 700 MB of data.

CD-RWs are read writeable (or reusable) and with proper
software can be used like a floppy disk. Approximate
capacity is 74 minutes of audio or 650 MB of data.
7
CDs and DVDs
CD Formats:
CD-DA (Compact Disk Digital Audio), the original
format, is a variable length file format and is used
exclusively for audio.
The files (Tracks) are a digital representation of audio.
Its specification is defined in what is called the Red
Book.
8
CDs and DVDs
CD Formats: (conti.)
CD-FS (Compact Disk File System) is also a variable
length file format and is used to store computer data
files.
Its specification is defined in what is called the Yellow
Book.
9
CDs and DVDs
CD Formats: (conti.)
CD-RW (Compact Disk Rewritable) disks, depending on
how they are formatted, can be either a variable file
length, as the CD-R, or a fixed file length (packet) as
floppy disks.
Its specification is defined in what is called the Orange
Book.
Other types of CD formats are VCD (Video CD), PCD
(Photo CD), CD-I and other proprietary formats.
10
CD-RW disk formats:
CD-RW disks can be formatted two ways:
Streaming (variable length) files are added as in
the same way as CD-Rs are. Only erasure of the
entire disk is possible (reusable).
Packet (fixed length) uses the same architecture as
floppy disks and require packet writing software
(UDF) such as Direct CD, CD-In.
11
CDs and DVDs
Equipment:
CD-R drives, the original, will only read CDs.
CD-RW drives, besides reading CDs can also write to
CDs. Making separate drives in a computer redundant.
DVD-R drives will only read CDs and DVDs. Most drives
will read both DVD standards.
DVD-RW drives, will read and write to both CDs and
DVDs.
CD-RW/DVD combo drives, will both read and write to
CDs as well as read DVDs.



12
CDs and DVDs
Equipment: (conti.)
When buying a CD burner or DVD burner make sure it is
Burn Proof or has a write cache. This will minimize
the making of coasters (unusable CDs). Also buy a good
quality unit.
13
CDs and DVDs
Software:
Microsofts Operating System (XP) includes the software
needed to read either CDs and DVDs.
CD and DVD writing (burning) require special software.
Such as:
Nero
Easy Media Creator (formally known as Easy CD
Creator.
NTI