DVDs and CDs look very similar, both are the same size, shape and appearance and at first glance may appear to be identical. This is where the confusion probably began. Aside from a slight visual difference the main quality that separates them is the amount of information or data they can hold.
CDs are used for audio only. DVDs are used for video.
CD
A CD can hold up to 700MB of digital information and is a common format used for music, usually in the form of audio CDs, able to store up to about 75 minutes of audio. They can also be used as CDrom discs for storing smaller files. If you have any audio cassettes to put onto a disc, CDs would be the way to go.
CDs can be played on CD, DVD and blu ray players.
DVD
A standard DVD can hold up to 4.7GB (based on a single-layer disc) of digital information and is commonly used for video and movies, storing up to 2 hours of standard definition video. They can also be used as DVDrom discs for storing larger files. If you have any video tapes or 8mm or 16mm movie film you want to convert to disc, then DVDs would be the way to go.
DVDs can be played on DVD and blu ray players.
If you have really important video (or films) you may want to consider putting them onto our Archival Gold DVD. They are designed to last 100 years, much longer than a regular DVD.
Blu ray
A Blu ray disc can hold up to 25GB (based on a single-layer disc) of digital information and is commonly used for video and movies, storing up to 2 hours of high definition video. They can also be used as Blu ray rom discs for storing a lot more data. If you have any hdv tapes or high definition camcorder memory cards you want to convert to disc, then Blu ray discs would be the way to go.
Photos and slides can be saved onto either CD or DVD, it just depends on how much space you need.
If you are planning to have a DVD or CD copied or duplicated you’ll need to know which type of disc to have to determine the cost.
Since video information requires a lot more storage space than audio, you can see why DVDs are usually preferred over CDs. A CD player only plays CDs. DVD player can play both formats. Most blu ray players will play all 3 formats.
Give us a call or stop by, we’ll be happy to help you determine the best format for your project.