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CD and DVD media life dvdram cdrw

dvd-rw cd-rw

From: Tony Lawrence <tony@pcunix.com>
Subject: Re: media question: DVD vs CD-R/W??
Date: Fri, 07 Feb 2003 10:35:05 GMT

Gordon B. Alley wrote:
> In article <jlohn-746EDF.22041006022003@reader1.panix.com>,
>  jeffrey <jlohn@panix.com> wrote:
> 
> 
>>my girlfriend just got the new 12" G4 power book with the combo optical 
>>drive--  CD-R/W + DVD burn.
>>
>>she asked me(who knows more than her, which is saying very little!) 
>>whats the difference between storing/backing-up files on a DVD disc & a 
>>CD-R/W disc.  is there a difference? are both recommended or is there a 
>>preference?  also, can one store/write fotos onto a CD-R/W disc or only 
>>on a DVD disc?
>>
>>since im not clear on how to accurately answer all of the above, help 
>>would be greatly appreciated!!
> 
> 
> First of all, IIRC, an Apple Combo Drive can burn CDs, but can only read 
> or play DVDs. The SuperDrive can burn both types.
> 
> A DVD can store about 4.7 GB, IIRC, whereas a CD can hold only 650-700 
> MB. But blank CD-Rs are cheaper than blank DVD-Rs.
> 

There's also the issues of reusability and longevity.

DVD-R and CD-R are write once
DVD-RW and CD-RW can be rewritten 1,000 times
DVD-RAM can be rewritten 100,000 times or more.

DVD-RAM has a lifetime of 30 years
CD-R may last 70 years or even longer
CD-RW is 30 years or so.


Of course all of those figures are subject to argument and none of the 
technology is old enough that anyone has a 70 year old recording to 
prove it.

-- 
Tony Lawrence
Free SCO, Mac OS X and  Linux Skills Tests: 
http://aplawrence.com/skillstest.html

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