DVD-R Format

• The first generation of DVD-R discs held 3.95 billion bytes--later expanding to 4.7 billion bytes in order to match the capacity of DVD-ROM discs.
  
  

DVD-RW Format

• Similar to DVD-R discs, these DVD-RW discs hold up to 4.7 billion bytes; however, they are are rewritable up to approximately 1,000 times.
  
  

DVD+RW and DVD+R Formats

• Both the DVD+R and DVD+RW formats were originally designed to be data-only discs, but were soon adapted to play in standard DVD players. They both hold 4.7 billion bytes with the primary distinction being the DVD+RW format is rewritable up to 1,000 times.
  
  

DVD-RAM Media

• DVD-RAM was launched with a storage capacity of 2.58 billion bytes and later enhanced to 4.7 billion bytes. DVD-RAM discs operate best in computer drives when compared to other formats.
  
  

Dual-Layer Discs

• Dual-layer discs are also on the market, allowing users to record up to 8.5 billion bytes on a single disc. These are the latest technology as of December 2009 and are highly compatible, working in most standard players.