The Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA), the international trade organization for the promotion of recordable optical technologies and products, today announced the online availability of a comprehensive reference guide on DVD recording technologies entitled, "Understanding Recordable and Rewritable DVD."

The 49-page white paper, authored by industry expert Hugh Bennett and available free through OSTA's Web site at http://www.osta.org, answers basic questions about DVD recordable and rewritable technologies using simple language and an easy-to-follow format.

In the continuing evolution of writable optical storage beyond CD-R and CD-RW, recordable and rewritable DVD meets the expanded demands of personal and professional video, as well as still uncharted applications. "Understanding Recordable and Rewritable DVD" is a complement to OSTA's companion reference guide, "Understanding CD-R & CD-RW," a popular reference tool published by the organization in February of 2003 that can be downloaded by accessing http://www.osta.org/technology/cdqa.htm.

"`Understanding Recordable and Rewritable DVD' is another valuable and insightful resource published by OSTA and fact checked by major manufacturers to enhance the consumer electronics industry's recognition of the value and viability of recordable optical disc technologies," said David Bunzel, OSTA president. "OSTA will continue to offer similar reference tools in the future for OEMs, suppliers, and consumers."

The new guide covers a wide range of both basic and technical information about recordable and rewritable DVD technology encompassing all five writable DVD formats (DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM). Highlights include an overview of physical, logical, and application specifications; discussions of recording hardware and speed; physical compatibility; disc size, configuration and capacity; and copying deterrents and content protection. The white paper also addresses the issues of DVD duplication, replication, and publishing, as well as disc labeling, handling, storage, and disposal. Additional chapters cover disc longevity, testing and verification, and disc construction and manufacturing.

A comprehensive appendix includes suggestions of additional print and online informational resources, as well as links to industry periodicals, trade shows, newsgroups, Web sites, industry associations, and manufacturers by product category.