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DVD capacity depends on how many sides and data layers a disc has: a DVD-5 holds 4.7 GB, a DVD-9 8.5 GB, a DVD-10 9.4 GB, and a DVD-18 17 GB. These are nominal decimal gigabyte figures. A computer may show a smaller number in binary gibibytes (GiB), and video runtime varies with encoding and bitrate.
DVD capacity by format
The number in a DVD format name identifies its general capacity class; the disc’s sides and layers explain how that capacity is arranged. The figures below are nominal capacities in decimal GB.
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| Format | Sides | Data layers | Nominal capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| DVD-5 | 1 | 1 | 4.7 GB |
| DVD-9 | 1 | 2 | 8.5 GB |
| DVD-10 | 2 | 1 per side | 9.4 GB total |
| DVD-18 | 2 | 2 per side | 17 GB total |
NASA’s Planetary Data System lists DVD-5, DVD-9 and DVD-10 capacities in its 2003 media-format reference. Sony’s DVD capacity table gives the four listed capacities, including DVD-18. The U.S. Government Printing Office’s 1999 introduction to DVD also lists these format classes.
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What the format names mean
DVD-5: one side, one layer
A DVD-5 has a single data layer on one side and a nominal capacity of 4.7 GB. It is the standard single-layer capacity class.
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- 4.7GB OR 120-MINUTE CAPACITY: Each DVD-R disc stores up to 4.7GB of data or 120 minutes of DVD-quality video.
- UP TO 16X WRITE SPEED: Supports recording speeds up to 16X for fast, efficient burning with compatible DVD-R hardware.
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DVD-9: one side, two layers
A DVD-9 holds 8.5 GB on two data layers on one side. It is dual-layer, not double-sided: both layers are read from the same side of the disc.
DVD-10: two sides, one layer on each
A DVD-10 has a single data layer on each of its two sides, for 9.4 GB total. To access the other side, the disc must be flipped.
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DVD-18: two sides, two layers on each
A DVD-18 has two layers on each of its two sides and a nominal total capacity of 17 GB. It combines double-sided and dual-layer construction.
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Disc capacity labels commonly use decimal units: 1 GB is 1,000,000,000 bytes. Some computer software instead reports binary gibibytes, where 1 GiB is 1,073,741,824 bytes. The same byte capacity therefore appears as a smaller number when displayed in GiB; it has not disappeared.
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- 4.7GB OR 120-MINUTE CAPACITY: Each DVD-R disc stores up to 4.7GB of data or 120 minutes of DVD-quality video.
- UP TO 16X WRITE SPEED: Record a complete disc in approximately five minutes using compatible 16X DVD-R hardware.
- WIDE DVD COMPATIBILITY: Read compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD video players and supports DVD-R writers from leading manufacturers.
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For example, Primera Technology gives these conversions: 4.7 GB is approximately 4.38 GiB, and 8.5 GB is approximately 7.92 GiB. The displayed value depends on the unit the software uses. See Primera’s capacity explanation.
Does a DVD hold a fixed amount of video?
No. Capacity alone does not set the number of minutes or hours a DVD can hold. Video encoding and compression determine how much space the video uses; bitrate, menus, audio tracks and other authored content also affect how much fits. A lower bitrate can fit more runtime in the same space, usually with a trade-off in picture or sound quality.
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- 4.7GB OR 120-MINUTE CAPACITY: Each DVD-R disc stores up to 4.7GB of data or 120 minutes of DVD-quality video.
- UP TO 16X WRITE SPEED: Supports recording speeds up to 16X for fast, efficient burning with compatible DVD-R hardware.
- WRITE-ONCE RECORDING: Provides reliable storage for photos, videos, documents, backups, and other important digital content.
- AZO AND HARDCOAT PROTECTION: AZO technology resists UV light, while the water-resistant HardCoat surface guards against scratches, fingerprints, dust, temperature, and humidity.
- 10-PACK MATTE SILVER DISCS: Includes 10 matte-silver DVD-R discs designed to last up to 100 years when stored properly and backed by a Verbatim Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Any minutes-per-disc figure should be treated as an estimate tied to its compression assumptions, not a format definition or guarantee. CD Baby Manufacturing likewise qualifies its DVD runtime estimates by compression.
Choosing a capacity class for recording
For blank data discs, match the recording media to the burner: a dual-layer DVD requires media and a drive that support the specific dual-layer format, such as DVD+R DL or DVD-R DL. Capacity labels do not establish compatibility with a particular drive, so check the drive’s specifications before recording.
Quick Recap
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- Verbatim has been a leader in data storage technology since 1969, and guarantees this product with a limited lifetime warranty and technical support
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