DVD-RAM

=**__DVD-RAM__**= DVD RAM (DVD-Random Access Memory), is a disc specification which specifies rewritable DVD-RAM media and the appropriate DVD writers. DVD-RAM media have been used in computers as well as camcorders and personal video recorders since 1998.

DVD-RAM is one of three competing technologies for rewritable DVDs. Its competitors are DVD-RW and DVD+RW. DVD-RAM technology provides excellent data integrity, data retention and damage protection through a number of mechanisms and properties. Therefore, DVD-RAM is perceived by some people to be better than the other DVD technologies for traditional computer usage tasks such as general data storage, and especially data backup and archival.

DVD-RAM has a larger presence in camcorders and set-top boxes than in computers, although the popularity of DVD-RAM in these devices can be explained by its being very easily written to and erased, which for example allows extensive in-camera editing. The on-disc structure of DVD-RAM is closely related to hard disk technology, as it stores data in circular tracks. DVD-RAMs can be accessed just like a hard or floppy disk and usually without any special software. DVD-RAM has numerous rectangles on the disc surface that define the boundaries of data sectors.

DVD-RAM can have a capacity from 2.58GB (Version 1.0, single sided), to 9.4GB (Version 2.0, double sided).