Difference Between DVD-R and CD-R

DVD-R vs CD-R

DVD-R and CD-R are two devices used to store data. While DVD-R stands for Digital Versatile Discs-Recordable, CD-R stands for Compact Disc-Recordable. The basic difference between the two lies in the amount of data they can store. While a CD is able to store only 700 MB data, a DVD-R can hold up to 4.7 GB of data. Both DVD-R and CD-R can be used to store audio and video. While the capacity of 4.7 GB of a DVD-R translates into 120 minutes of video, 700 MB capacity of a CR-R means you can store about 80 minutes of audio data in them. For backing up your data, DVD-R is preferred because of its capacity and for simple economics also.

DVD’s and CD’s come in blank forms allowing a user to fill data on them. Talking of differences, the data in a DVD is advanced in quality and sharpness and video files in DVD’s are of HD quality, and if you wish to store films, it is better to use a DVD-R instead of a CD-R as not only is the video quality better, more space means you can store up to 5 films in a DVD-R, while a CD-R can hold only one film.

To burn a DVD-R, you require a DVD burner which is software that allows burning of audio or video files onto your DVD-R. This DVD burner also has the capacity to burn a CD. The advantage between the two is visible when you are trying to watch a DVD or CD on your DVD player. It is very much possible as a DVD player can read both CD and DVD but a CD player cannot read a DVD.

Earlier, there was a huge price difference between DVD-R and CD-R. But with advancement of technology, the prices of DVD-R and CD-R have almost become similar. CD’s are still somewhat cheaper than DVD’s and this is the only advantage they hold over DVD’s.

Today there are available both DVD-RW and CD-RW which are rewritable which means you can record and then erase them to use them again for storage. However, even DVD-R and CD-R have limited life and you cannot keep on writing on them.