DVD-RAM
Borders of the hard sectors are visible on the data side of a type 2 DVD-RAM disc | |
| Media type | Optical disc |
|---|---|
| Capacity |
|
| Block size | 2 KiB |
| Read mechanism | 300–650 nm laser |
| Write mechanism | 650 nm laser |
| Dimensions | 12 cm (5"), 8 cm (3") |
| Extended from | DVD, Phase-change Dual |
| Released | 1996 |
| Discontinued | 2019 |
| Optical discs |
|---|
DVD-RAM (DVD Random Access Memory) is a DVD-based disc specification presented in 1996 by the DVD Forum, which specifies rewritable DVD-RAM media and the appropriate DVD writers. DVD-RAM media have been used in computers as well as camcorders and personal video recorders since 1998.
In May 2019, Panasonic, the only remaining manufacturer of DVD-RAM discs, announced that it would end production of DVD-RAM media by the end of that month, citing shrinking demand as the primary motivation. Panasonic made these discs under its own brand name and also under the Verbatim brand.
The "RAM" in its name is related to random-access memory that computers use as main memory, not in the technology but in sense that it can be used as a random-access memory unit rather than a sequential-access memory unit such as a magnetic tape drive.