The DVD-RAM is the only optical disc DVD that allows you to manage multiple applications, digital moving images, still images, data for Pc and much much more together on the same disk. And 'possible to record a TV program on a disk that already contains moving pictures from your camera and JPEG or TIFF image files captured with your digital camera.

The DVD-RAM media is a cutting edge that lets you record and play at the same time, this feature called Time Slip lets you watch a program at any time, even while it is recording something else. You can also activate the fast-forward, fast reverse and pause times during recording and playback. It 'a new way to use video, made possible by the "core technology" of the DVD-RAM, which provides a high data transfer speeds and access to truly random. An additional advantage of DVD-RAM, also, is that there should be finalized after recording.



Technically, the DVD-RAM has a storage capacity of 2.58 billion bytes per side (the double-side stores 5.2 Gb) and uses a phase-change technology phase-change (PD) coupled with some magneto-optical characteristics. Is not compatible with most of the drive and readers (due to the defect management, reflectivity differences, and other small differences in size). A wobbled groove is used to provide clocking data, with marks written in both the groove and the land between the grooves. The grooves and pre-embossed sector headers are molded into the disc during manufacture. The single-sided DVD-RAM discs come with or without cartridges. There are two types of cartridges: type 1 is sealed, type 2 allows the removal of the disc. Discs can only be stored in the cartridge, but can be played without it. The double-sided DVD-RAM discs are available in sealed cartridges only. The dimensions of 124.6mm x 135.5mm x cartridge is 8.0mm. The DVD-RAM can be rewritten about 100,000 times and the discs have a life expectancy of at least 30 years. The DVD-RAM drives appeared in June 1998 (about 6 months late) for $ 500 to $ 800, while the prices of blank discs at about $ 30 for single-sided and $ 45 for double-sided. Since 1998, prices dropped below $ 20, while the retail prices of the drives in November 1999 under $ 250.

The first DVD-ROM drive to read DVD-RAM discs was released by Panasonic in 1999 (SR-8583, 5x DVD-ROM, 32x CD). The Hitachi GD-5000, released in late 1999, also reads DVD-RAM discs. The DVD-RAM virgins are manufactured by Hitachi Maxell, Eastman Kodak, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Ritek, and TDK.

The DVD-RAM version 2.0, with a capacity of 4.7 billion bytes per side, was presented in October 1999. The first drive went out in July 2000 at about the same price as current DVD-RAM 1.0. The DVD-RAM 2.0 also provides 8 cm discs. and cartridges for portable uses such as digital cameras.