Blu-ray recording is still far from becoming a household commodity. As such Sony Optiarc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony, is set to debut a new line of CD and DVD optical disc drives, the AD-7260S and the DRX-S77U with improved functionality, portability, and speed.

The internal half-height AD-7260S CD/DVD burner builds on the Sony predecessor the AD-7240S by offering 2MB buffer and supports 24X max DVD+/-R recording, 12X DVD+/-R Double/Dual layer recording, 12X DVD-RAM, and 48X CD-R recording. The product also features auto write functionality. And with Sony’s LightScribe technology AD-7260S users can customize each disc label.

With USB 2.0 connectivity, the external interface DRX-S77U boasts 8x DVD +/-R recording speeds, holding up to 4.7 GB of video, data, music or images. But it doesn’t tap out there, the new lightweight device can also record on 8.5 GB DVD+/-R Double/Dual layer and 4.7 GB DVD-RW discs at 6X speed, as well as DVD+RW at 8X speed, DVD-RAM at 5X speed, and CD-R/RW at 24X.

To increase keep up with the new trend in colored netbooks, Sony is offering the DRX-S77U in a variety of colors, including black, white, pink, and gold. And has released the device with Windows 7 compatibility, as well as in a bundle with Nero 9 DVD/CD mastering software suite.

Sony has yet to release pricing on the two new devices but both products are set to debut in stores soon.

DVD±9 format, Double Layer recording technology, also known as Dual Layer DVD, allows for more data to be stored on a single DVD disc – up to 8.55 GB in total-disc capacity, almost double that of 4.7 GB single-disc capacity. Since DVD±9 inception, double layer use has increased steadily over the years, especially as prices dropped.

Sidenote: Which format should I use + or -? With Double Layer blank media, DVD+R DL is by far the most used format. With Single Layer blank media, DVD-R is the most popular format.

So how does Double Layer recording technology work?

In simple terms, dual layer discs are formed with a second physical layer within the disc. The DVD disc reader or player is able to access the second layer of data by shining a laser through the first, transparent layer.

In more technical terms, dual layer discs are formed with two organic dye-recording layers (L0 and L1), which are separated by a single transparent spacing layer. Unlike single layer recordings, with dual layer discs each recording layer has its own wobble pre-groove that’s molded into the polycarbonate base, allowing for individualized control of the disc rotation speed and addressing scheme.  The table of contents in dual layer recording is always embedded in the L0, the first recordable layer.

Two modes exist for dual-layer orientation. The parallel track path (PTP) is used for DVD-ROM. Data is laid down in PTP mode from beginning of the first layer to the end of the first layer and then from the beginning of the second layer to the end. Sequencing for the other dual-layer orientation, Opposite Track Path (OTP), begins with the first layer to the end of the first layer, but then moves from the end of the second layer to the beginning of the second layer.

*Source: Burnworld.com

Disc Capacity Comparison

For comparison, the table below shows storage capacities of the four most common DVD recordable media, excluding DVD-RAM. (SL) stands for standard single-layer discs, while DL denotes the dual-layer variants.

*Chart source: Wikipedia

Most people who know anything about computers know that they are able to record and store their files on CDs and DVDs. They may even know that different kinds of storage media work better for different files. However, they may not know exactly what a dual layer disc is or why it is beneficial.

First, you need to understand how a dual layer disc is different from a regular recordable DVD. The dual layer discs have a second layer (thus the name), that is on the disc. When you have a drive that is able to read and record on the discs, the drive will shine its laser through the first layer to reach the second layer.

The Dual Layer DVD-R and DVD+R can store far more data than one of the regular DVD-Rs or DVD+Rs. The single layer discs that you might have lying around your office can hold 4.7 gigabytes worth of data. While this might seem like quite a lot of space to have on your disc, the dual layer discs can hole twice as much at 8.54 gigabytes.

Recordable DVD has two formats, plus R (+R) and minus R (-R).  Typically minus R (-R) is the most widely used for format single layer DVD, however plus R (+R) is the most widely used format for DVD DL or dual layer DVD. So…….. stick with +R for dual layer DVD and -R for single layer DVD. We get that question alot.

The cost of the dual layer discs can be much higher than single layered discs, and considering the extra amount of space that you have for storage, they are certainly worth the price difference. If you have a lot of data that you want to keep in one place rather than storing it on several discs, then the dual layer discs might be just the thing you need.

However, while they can hold extra data, it does take longer to write to these discs. If this is a factor, then you may wish to continue using the single layer discs.

Most of the DVD recorders and drives on the market today are compatible with these dual layer discs, so you don’t have to worry about using something that your drive won’t be able to read. You should have no trouble, but you might want to do a test run and buy just one disc to make sure that everything works fine.

Something that you should note is that you might get a pause when the laser changes layers. This is something that happens with all of these dual layer discs and it isn’t something you need to worry about and it isn’t a problem with your disc or your drive.

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Dual layer DVD, DVD+R DL technology is changing the way businesses, consumers, and home users can archive and store their data. Dual layer DVD (DVD+R9) technology first debuted in October 2003 and got released to the popular markets about a year later.

What makes dual layer DVD recording different? Essentially, with single layer discs, you’re limited to storing data on just one layer. With dual layered discs, on the other hand, you can store information on both a first layer (which is semi transparent) AND an underlying second layer. In other words, you almost double the capacity of the DVD+R. The industry standard single layer DVD+R, for instance, holds 4.7 GB; whereas a dual layer disc has a capacity of 8.55 GB.

Most popular DVD recorders and players are compatible with dual layer DVD technology. However, if your computer or optical disc drive is relatively old (2004), you may have some compatibility issues. Check equipment manuals for DVD+R DL compatibility before you purchase dual layer DVD discs.

A little confusion from time-to-time causes customers to ask “which version do I chose +R (plus) or –R (minus)?” With dual layer DVD the +R (plus) format is the more popular version, whereas with single layer DVD, the –R (minus) format is the more popular version. As for the brands, Verbatim tends to be the most popular for DVD+R DL (Dual Layer) and both Taiyo Yuden and Verbatim brands are the most popular for DVD-R (single layer).

Given that the dual layer recording layers are not continuous (obviously), there can be a very slight delay when you transition from the first layer to the second layer. This pause is completely normal and does not mean that the disc is not working. The laser that reads and writes the data will actually focus on the different layers and that is what causes the delay. Most packaging will explain this upfront.

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