DVD+RW FAQ's -
info taken from the DVD+RW Alliance FAQ.
Q1. When
will DVD+RW products be available?
A1: We anticipate
products will be available by summer/fall 2001. Individual DVD+RW Alliance
member companies will provide more detail on their product availability
plans throughout the year.
Q2. What
are the primary use models for DVD+RW?
A2. The primary
use models for DVD+RW are data storage and recording digital video onto
a 4.7 GB DVD disc, offering a complete solution for rewritable DVD.
Q3. What
is the primary benefit of DVD+RW?
A3. The primary
benefit of DVD+RW is that it offers two-way compatibility, meaning that
DVD+RW media can be played in the majority of existing DVD-Video players
and DVD-ROM drives. Therefore, DVD+RW media is compatible with most of
the current installed base of more than 35 million DVD-Video players and
DVD-ROM drives (source: IDC) currently in use throughout home and business
environments.
Q4. What
discs can be played and written in a DVD+RW drive?
A4. Playback
and writing of different discs are specific to each DVD+RW product. We
can anticipate that DVD+RW drives will be able to read CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW,
DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD Video, DVD Audio and CD-Audio discs.
Q5. Can
DVD+RW media be written on both sides?
A5. The DVD+RW
format book has the double-sided media specification. This will be a product
decision made by each manufacturer.
Q6. What
do DVD video player manufacturers need to do to make future DVD video
players +RW compatible?
A6. With
DVD+RW, the burden of compatibility is on the recorder, not the player.
Therefore, manufacturers can ensure compatibility with virtually no additional
development or cost.
Q7. What
is the difference between a DVD+RW drive that is designed for personal
computing (PC) versus consumer electronics (CE)?
A7. DVD+RW
drives intended for personal computing use will be designed to work with
a personal computer and will be controlled by software running under popular
operating systems like Windows and Macintosh. Consumer electronics-focused
DVD+RW products are designed for use similar to the current video cassette
recorder (VCR). The DVD+RW products will provide recording and play back
functionality for video programs from a variety of different sources for
enjoyment on television or home theatre systems. In addition, they will
play the tens of thousands of DVD movies currently available.
Q8. Have
you received interest in your format from any of the key CE or PC manufacturers,
software developers or content developers for your drive?
A8. Yes.
We are in contact with a variety of partners from each of these areas
and have received much support and interest in the format. Currently,
DVD+RW Alliance member companies include HP, MCC/Verbatim, Ricoh, Philips,
Sony, Thomson Multimedia, and Yamaha. Other companies have pledged support
for DVD+RW including: Ahead, BHA, Dazzle Digital Video Products, Funai,
GEAR Software, LG Electronics, MedioStream Inc., MGI, NEC, NewTech Infosystems
Inc., Pinnacle Systems, Quantized Systems, Ravisent Technologies Inc.,
Roxio Inc., Software Architects Inc., Sonic Solutions, Spruce Technologies
Inc., Toolex International N.V., Ulead Systems Inc., Veritas Software
Corporation, VITEC Multimedia, Inc., and Zapex Technologies Inc.
Q9. What
about the DVD Forum? Do they need to approve DVD standards before they
can be accepted in the marketplace?
A9. The DVD
Forum is not a DVD governing standards group. Instead, it is a group of
companies that work together to define and support DVD formats. The DVD+RW
Alliance believes that ultimately the consumer will define the winning
industry standard for recordable/rewritable DVD. DVD+R/RW does not need
the approval of this forum to succeed in the market place.
dvdrw.com
