For the UK
you will need disks that are recorded for Region 2 in the PAL format.
If you have
a multi-region player then you can use disks meant for other regions,
but also check if your TV can use the NTSC system if rquired.
If you buy
a film on dvd it will be on a DVD ROM - no need to worry about different
formats.
However if you want to record your own or use one recorded by great auntie
Lil then you will need to know a bit more.
Many players
nowadays are multi format as well as multi region, but check the specs.
DVD-ROM
(Read Only Memory - all players)
A disc that is physically the same size as the CD-ROM, or Compact Disc,
but can store information at much higher densities giving a greater capacity.
DVD-ROMs can currently be made in four physical formats named DVD-5, DVD-9,
DVD-10 and DVD-18. DVD-5 has a 4.7GB storage capacity (versus the 650MB
standard for a CD-ROM) and stores the data on one side of the disc in
a single layer. This data can be in the form of software, video (DVD-Video)
or audio (DVD-Audio). The DVD-9 format stores data in dual layers on a
single side of the disc while the DVD-10 and DVD-18 formats use both sides
of the disc to store data in single and dual layers respectively. DVD-ROM
discs can be accessed in set top DVD players and computers equipped with
DVD-ROM drives. These discs cannot be written to by the user
DVD-R
(Recordable - most players)
A disc that is equivalent to the DVD-ROM but it can also be recorded to.
The Pioneer DVR-A05U drive can record on 4.7GB single-sided and 9.4GB
double-sided DVD-R discs. DVD-R discs can be accessed in set top DVD players
and computers equipped with DVD-ROM drives. These discs can only be written
to once by the user.
DVD+R
(Recordable - most players)
A specification put forward by the DVD+RW Alliance to complement the DVD+RW
format. DVD+R discs can be recorded in 4.7GB capacities. These discs can
only be written to once by the user. DVD+R discs can be accessed in set
top DVD players and computers equipped with DVD-ROM drives
DVD-RW
( Re-writable - most players)
A version of the write-once DVD-R format that can be written to up to
1,000 times. The Pioneer DVR-A05U drives can record on single-sided 4.7GB
DVD-RW discs. DVD-RW discs can be accessed in set top DVD players and
computers equipped with DVD-ROM drives.
DVD+RW
( Re-writable - most players)
A different version of a re-writable DVD-R format that is designed to
be more suitable for both real-time video recording and random data recording.
DVD+RW discs can be recorded in 4.7GB capacities. DVD+RW discs can be
accessed in set top DVD players and computers equipped with DVD-ROM drives
DVD-RAM
(Random Access Memory - very few players)
Differs from the DVD-R in that it is re-writable many times. Discs are
available in capacities of 2.6GB or 4.7GB for single sided discs and 5.2GB
or 9.4GB for double sided discs. . DVD-RAM discs can only be accessed
in a DVD-RAM drive. They cannot be used in set top DVD players or computers
equipped with DVD-ROM drives.
Place your mouse over the image so see details - double click
for further info
