DVD Sizes: What’s the Relation Between DVD Sizes and Its Capacities?

The dimension of optical discs is always fixed in 12 cm (4.7 inches) and 8 cm (3.1 inches) with 1.2 mm thick, but the DVD capacity varies from 2.5G, 4.7G, to 8.5G. Is there any relation between the DVD size and capacity? Read this post to know more about the technicalities of optical storage. Whether you're safeguarding memories or optimizing your media collection, understanding DVD formats is essential. Get to know DVD size and bonus tips to rip DVD for easier saving.

DVD Size Dimensions and Affecting Factors

DVD Size:

As for the DVD size, the standard diameter is 120mm (4.7 in) with a thickness of 1.2mm (0.047 in), which is both for single-layer and double-layer CD/DVD/Blu-ray discs (there still some differences between DVD and Blu-ray discs).

An alternative, the Mini DVD/CD, boasts dimensions of 80mm (3.149 in) in diameter and a 1.2mm (0.047 in) thickness, sharing a 15mm inner diameter with its standard counterpart.

While a typical, single-layer, recordable DVD with normal size stores 4.7 GB, equivalent to approximately 2 hours (120 minutes) of DVD-quality video, advancements since the DVD's 1995 inception have led to formats offering vastly expanded storage capacities.

Standard DVD disc:

• Diameter: 120mm (4.72 inches)
• Thickness: 1.2mm (0.047 inches)
• Inner hub diameter: 15mm (0.59 inches)

Mini DVD disc:

• Diameter: 80mm (3.15 inches)
• Thickness: 1.2mm (0.047 inches)
• Inner hub diameter: 15mm (0.59 inches)
• Capacity: approximately 1.4GB (single-layer) or 2.6GB (dual-layer)

Important: The physical disc diameter tells you nothing about how much data it holds. A DVD-5 and a DVD-9 are both 120mm discs. Capacity is determined by layers and sides - not the disc's physical size.

Does DVD Size Affect the Capacity?

The physical DVD sizes in inches don't inherently determine a DVD's data storage. The pivotal factors are the number of sides (single or double) and layers (single or double). Double-layer, also known as dual-layer, and double-sided DVDs naturally accommodate more content than their standard single-sided, single-layer counterparts. Many contemporary DVD burners facilitate the creation of double-sided and double-layer DVDs for enhanced data storage.

In essence, the inch-based DVD sizes merely outline the physical characteristics, whereas a DVD's data capacity is intricately tied to its sides and layers. For instance, a single-sided, single-layer DVD holds 4.7 GB, while a single-sided, dual-layer DVD can expand its capacity to 8.5 GB. This trend continues, offering varying sizes based on combinations of sides and layers. Delve deeper into the detailed breakdown of DVD capacities for a comprehensive understanding.

DVD Formats and Due Capacities

Now, you know that the DVD size will influence the capacity. Thus, before copying and backing up DVD, you can learn more about the intricate world of DVD formats, each designed to cater to diverse storage needs.

DVD capacity is determined by two factors: how many sides the disc uses, and how many recording layers each side has.

The naming convention (DVD-5, DVD-9, etc.) roughly reflects the total capacity in gigabytes.But uses marketing gigabytes (decimal), not the binary gigabytes your computer displays. More on that below.

The Complete DVD Format Table

DVD-5: The Standard Blank DVD

DVD-5 is the single-sided, single-layer disc sold at every store. When you buy a spindle of blank DVDs, you're buying DVD-5 discs.

• Marketed capacity: 4.7 GB
• Real capacity (what your computer shows): ~4.37 GiB
• Video runtime: 120-133 minutes of MPEG-2 at standard DVD bitrate
• Compatible with: virtually all DVD players, game consoles, and computers

DVD-5 is the default for most commercial movies under 2 hours and nearly all software discs.

DVD-9: Dual-Layer, Single-Sided

DVD-9 adds a second recording layer on the same side. The laser reads layer 0, then refocuses through it to read layer 1 below.

• Marketed capacity: 8.5 GB
• Real capacity: ~7.95 GiB
• Video runtime: ~240 minutes

Bonus: How to Rip a DVD for a Widely Playing

Even the largest DVD size can only contain 17G data, so you may need to shrink the DVD videos to save more with 4Easysoft DVD Ripper. In this way, you can also unlock the full potential of DVD content and make it effortless to play them widely. This professional software is designed to cater to your diverse needs by converting different sizes of DVD content into various formats for widespread playback. During the process, you can compress the ripped movies to any size without losing quality. Now, follow the step-by-step guides below to rip a DVD of any size as a free way to save DVD to computers.

Step 1Launch the 4Easysoft DVD Ripper and click the "Load DVD" button to open the DVD disc after you insert the DVD of any size into the DVD drive on your computer. The main title of your DVD will now be shown.

Step 2Now, click the "Full Title List" button to load the selected titles. You can click the titles you want to add. Once you’re satisfied with your choice, click the "OK" button.

Step 3Click the "Rip All to" button to customize the output settings and choose the output format for any digital formats, such as MP4, MOV, WMV, MP3, and so on. Finally, click the "Rip All" button to save the ripped file of any DVD size.

Step 4To save the storage space, you should go to the "Toolbox" and click the "Video Compressor" button. After adding your video, you can freely adjust the file size as you like without losing quality.

The GB vs. GiB Gap - Why Your Computer Shows Less Space

How DVD manufacturers measure: Decimal system - 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. Result: 4.7 GB.

The math: 4,700,000,000 bytes ÷ 1,073,741,824 = 4.376 GiB

How your computer measures: Binary system - 1 GiB = 1,073,741,824 bytes.

Practical impact: If your DVD project folder is 4.5 GB as shown by Windows, it may not fit on a single DVD-5. The actual usable space is only ~4.37 GiB in binary terms. A safe working limit is 4.3 GiB as displayed by your OS - this leaves a safety margin and reduces write errors near the disc's outer edge, which is physically the least stable zone.

This is why experienced DVD authors on VideoHelp forum recommend setting DVD Shrink's target to 4.2 GB rather than pushing to the full limit.

FAQs About DVD Sizes & Capacities

• What's the difference between DVD-5 and DVD-9?

  There are many differences concerning sides, layers, and length: DVD-5 is single-sided, single-layer; DVD-9 is single-sided, double-layer, offering more storage.

• Can I play a DVD of any size with different formats on any player?

  No. The compatibility varies from different DVD sizes or other factors; ensure your player supports the specific DVD format for playback.

• How does DVD size affect the video?

  DVD size influences many aspects including storage capacity, impacting video duration and, to some extent, quality.

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