DVD larger than 4GB?

[ouimetnick]

So I have a previous thread about making a spare copy of a disk. The disk is a DVD, and my Mac has a super drive. From my understanding, DVDs hold up to 4GB. Problem is the sims 3 is 5.96GB and is a DVD. I didn't know that there ate DVDs later than 4GB. It seems that my blank DVDs hold upto 4. Something GB. Are there DVDs larger than 4GB for retail? Will my mac be able to burn a 5GB image? Also are these larger DVDs called duo layer or something? Can I buy a pack at Staples or the Apple Store?

Thanks for clearing the confusion.

-ouimetnick.

 

[dukebound85]

yes, they are called dual layer dvds and can hold ~8.5gigs

You can buy blank ones, yes. Be sure your mac can burn DL DVDs though as they tend to be a lil pricy compared to SL DVDs

 

[ouimetnick]

A mid 2010 MBP 13" with a super drive that can burn regular DVDs should be able to burn the double layer ones right? Also when I'm at the store, what do I look for? What will the packaging me labled? DVD-DL?

 

[dukebound85]

A mid 2010 MBP 13" with a super drive that can burn regular DVDs should be able to burn the double layer ones right? Also when I'm at the store, what do I look for? What will the packaging me labled? DVD-DL?

It should. To be safe, check in the about this mac, then look under optical drives to see its capabilities

I tend to prefer the DVD+DL as opposed to the DVD-DL

 

[ouimetnick]

It should. To be safe, check in the about this mac, then look under optical drives to see its capabilities

I tend to prefer the DVD+DL as opposed to the DVD-DL

What are the differences between those two? Also it seems like the disks are called DVD+R DL.

 

[GSMiller]

What are the differences between those two? Also it seems like the disks are called DVD+R DL.

From dvdripperwizard.com:

DVD-R and DVD+R are two competing technologies that use different formats. No single company owns either DVD format and both technologies have their advantages.

DVD-R/RW was developed by Pioneer. Based on CD-RW technology, it uses a similar pitch of the helix, mark length of the 'burn' for data, and rotation control. DVD-R/RW is supported by the DVD Forum, an industry-wide group of hardware and software developers, and computer peripheral manufacturers. The DVD-R format has been standardized in ECMA-279 by the Forum, but this is a private standard, not an 'industry' ISO standard like the CD-R/RW Red Book or Orange Book standard.

DVD+R/RW is also based on CD-RW technology. DVD+R/RW is supported by Sony, Philips, HP, Dell, Ricoh,Yamaha, and others, and has recently been endorsed by Microsoft. DVD+R/RW is not supported by the DVD Forum, but the Forum has no power to set industry standards, so it becomes a market-driven issue.

Some people say they have better luck burning on one or the other, but I have never noticed a difference. It's also commonly said that one is cheaper than the other (cannot remember which one), but when I purchased a 50 pack a few weeks ago both had the same sale price ($15.99).

 

[ouimetnick]

Seems like the drive will work.