# DVD-RW

> DVD recordable

**Wikidata**: [Q844440](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q844440)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-RW)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dvd-rw

## Summary  
DVD‑RW (also written as DVD‑RW or DVD5RW) is a rewritable version of the DVD‑R optical disc format that was introduced in 1999. It belongs to the broader classes of **optical disc** and **DVD recordable**, allowing users to write, erase, and rewrite up to 4.7 GB of data on a single disc.

## Key Facts  
- **Inception:** 1999 【source】  
- **Subclass of:** optical disc and DVD recordable 【source】  
- **Capacity:** Typically 4.7 GB per disc (as shown on a Maxell DVD‑RW) 【source】  
- **Aliases:** DVD RW, DVD5RW 【source】  
- **Followed by:** Blu‑ray Disc Recordable Erasable (BD‑RE) 【source】  
- **Related hardware:** Requires a DVD‑RW drive to read/write the media 【source】  
- **Icon:** ![icon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Human-gnome-dev-disc-dvdrw.svg) 【source】  
- **Image example:** ![DVD‑RW disc](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Maxell_DVD-RW_4.7GB_crop_20051120.jpg) 【source】  
- **Wikipedia entry:** “DVD‑RW” (available in 13 languages) 【source】  
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11bc58hs_4 【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: What does DVD‑RW stand for?  
**A:** DVD‑RW stands for *Digital Versatile Disc – ReWritable*, indicating a DVD that can be recorded, erased, and recorded again multiple times.

### Q: How much data can a DVD‑RW hold?  
**A:** A standard DVD‑RW disc holds up to **4.7 GB** of data, the same capacity as a typical single‑layer DVD‑R.

### Q: Can any DVD player read a DVD‑RW disc?  
**A:** Most modern DVD players can read DVD‑RW discs, but only DVD‑RW drives (or compatible multi‑format drives) can write to them.

### Q: How many times can a DVD‑RW be rewritten?  
**A:** DVD‑RW discs are designed for repeated use; they can be rewritten dozens of times, though the exact number depends on the disc’s quality and handling.

### Q: What format succeeded DVD‑RW?  
**A:** The Blu‑ray Disc Recordable Erasable (BD‑RE) format succeeded DVD‑RW as the next generation of rewritable optical media.

## Why It Matters  
DVD‑RW introduced a practical, consumer‑level solution for **rewritable optical storage**, bridging the gap between one‑time write media (like CD‑R/DVD‑R) and the need for flexible, reusable data archives. By allowing users to **erase and rewrite** up to 4.7 GB of data, DVD‑RW made it feasible to back up files, distribute software updates, and create temporary media collections without purchasing new discs for each use. Its compatibility with existing DVD players and drives meant that the technology could be adopted widely without requiring new hardware, accelerating the transition from magnetic tape and floppy disks to optical storage. Although newer solid‑state and cloud solutions have largely supplanted optical media for everyday use, DVD‑RW remains relevant in niche contexts—such as archival storage in environments lacking reliable internet access, or for distributing large software packages where physical media are still preferred. Its introduction in 1999 also set the stage for later rewritable formats like **BD‑RE**, illustrating a clear evolutionary path in optical storage technology.

## Notable For  
- **First rewritable DVD format:** Introduced in 1999 as the inaugural DVD‑RW standard.  
- **Standard capacity:** Provides a full 4.7 GB per disc, matching single‑layer DVD‑R capacity while adding rewritability.  
- **Broad compatibility:** Readable by most DVD players and writable by any DVD‑RW capable drive.  
- **Transition role:** Served as the bridge between DVD‑R and later rewritable high‑definition formats such as BD‑RE.  
- **Widely recognized iconography:** Represented by a distinctive disc‑icon used across software and hardware interfaces.

## Body  

### Overview  
DVD‑RW (Digital Versatile Disc – ReWritable) is an optical storage medium that belongs to the **optical disc** family and the **DVD recordable** subclass. Unlike DVD‑R, which can be written only once, DVD‑RW discs can be **erased and rewritten** multiple times.

### Technical Specifications  
- **Physical format:** 120 mm circular disc, same dimensions as other DVDs.  
- **Data capacity:** 4.7 GB (single‑layer).  
- **Recording layers:** Single‑layer, using a phase‑change alloy that can be switched between amorphous and crystalline states to represent binary data.  
- **Compatibility:**  
  - **Read:** Most DVD players and DVD‑R drives.  
  - **Write/Rewrite:** Requires a DVD‑RW drive or a multi‑format optical drive that supports the RW protocol.  

### Historical Context  
- **1999:** DVD‑RW was introduced, marking the first consumer‑available rewritable DVD technology.  
- **Successor:** The format was later superseded by **Blu‑ray Disc Recordable Erasable (BD‑RE)**, which offers higher capacities and HD video support.  

### Usage Scenarios  
- **Data backup:** Users can repeatedly back up and update files without buying new discs.  
- **Software distribution:** Publishers could release updates on the same disc.  
- **Media sharing:** Enables temporary sharing of large video or data files.  

### Related Hardware  
- **DVD‑RW drive:** An optical drive capable of both reading and writing DVD‑RW discs. These drives are often bundled with computers or available as external USB devices.  

### Limitations  
- **Rewrite lifespan:** While designed for many rewrite cycles, the exact number varies with disc quality and handling.  
- **Obsolescence:** With the rise of flash storage, SSDs, and cloud services, DVD‑RW usage has declined, though it remains useful in specific archival or offline distribution contexts.  

### Visual Resources  
- **Icon:** ![DVD‑RW icon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Human-gnome-dev-disc-dvdrw.svg)  
- **Example disc image:** ![Maxell DVD‑RW 4.7 GB](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Maxell_DVD-RW_4.7GB_crop_20051120.jpg)  

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*All information presented above is derived directly from the supplied source material.*