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Blank DVD storage Capacity: 4.36 gb??

4K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  Elvandil 
#1 ·
Whenever I try to burn data or video onto a standard DVD, I can only fit about 4.3 to 4.4 GB. Yet, the DVD media claims to have a storage capacity of 4.7 GB. Is there a reason why im not able to use the remaining space on the DVD? Does it have to do with the program im using? Or is this just standard practice in the DVD business, like a powersupply manufacterer claiming 500 watts of output?
 
#4 ·
From some older data on the OSTA.ORG web site:

For 12 cm diameter discs ...

A DVD+R or DVD+RW disc can store exactly 4,700,372,992 Bytes of raw data

A DVD-R or DVD-RW can store a minimum of 4,700,000,000 Bytes of raw data

The page also has information on how logical formating (UDF, FAT, HFS etc.) overhead and any defect management eats up some of that raw data capacity.

--
kiwiguy, your comment reminds of the saying, "There are 10 kinds of people in the world; those that understand binary numbers and those that don't" :D
 
#5 ·
Exactly

4.36GB (binary) x 1.024 x 1.024 x 1.024 = 4.68 GB (Metric)

For some idiotic reason HDD and CD/DVD etc media are sold in metric capacity, while Windows only understands binary.
Maybe not so "idiotic" as I used to think. At least with them, you know the exact amount in bytes without a calculator :D.
 
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