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General Video Info
DVD Video Recording (VR) Format

A DVD’s large storage capacity makes it ideal for producing high-quality movies. However, the process of burning a DVD is relatively slow compared to burning a CD. In addition you might not use up the total 4.7GB capacity at one time. So what if you wanted to add more video to that DVD or maybe edit content already on that disc? Normally re-editing your DVD movie is time-consuming because you have to import the video to your computer and go through the burning process again. The DVD Video Recording (VR) format provides a solution to this problem.


What is the DVD VR format?
DVD VR (Video Recording) format basically lets you create a DVD disc that you can re-edit. This saves you time because the edits are made directly to the disc without needing to import the video content back to your computer. You can add additional videos directly to your disc, trim or delete videos on the disc, add chapter points and revise your menus.


How can I use the DVD VR format?
You can capture your own home video with your digital camcorder and use DVD MovieFactory to create a DVD VR formatted disc. So you can capture your baby’s first words, put it on the disc, then months later, capture your baby’s first steps and put that video footage on the same disc, while at the same time re-editing the first video or changing your menu layout and music – with all the editing done directly on the disc, saving you time.

In addition, home DVD player/recorders are now on the market, which use the DVD VR format to let you record and re-record TV programs using the same re-writable disc. You can then use DVD MovieFactory to quickly remove all the commercials or design a nice menu to arrange your shows.


Limitations of the DVD VR format


There are some limitations with the DVD VR format. Firstly there are two different DVD VR formats today: DVD-VR and DVD+VR. Each of these flavors of DVD VR has its own set of limitations in terms of editing and playback compatibility. For example when you delete a video from a disc using the DVD+VR format, you will not necessarily be able to immediately re-use that space, while with DVD-VR you will be able to. On the other hand a DVD-VR formatted disc will only playback on a DVD-VR aware device such as a home DVD Recorder that supports DVD-RW or DVD-RAM. A DVD+VR formatted disc will play on most DVD players. Also DVD-VR uses playlists instead of the navigation menus you are used to seeing on a DVD, while DVD+VR uses regular menus (with a 30MB space limitation for menus, menu video and menu music). Finally, each format is compatible with certain types of DVD media. In general, DVD-VR format is used with DVD-RW and DVD-RAM discs, while DVD+VR should be used with DVD+RW discs. See the chart below for an overview of the different DVD formats and their behaviors.
DVD Formats and Their Behaviors
Format DVD-Video DVD-Video Fast re-editable (Ulead-only format) DVD-VR DVD+VR
Media type DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW discs DVD-RW, DVD+RW discs DVD-RW, DVD-RAM discs DVD+RW, DVD-RW discs (Ulead only)
Add video Must move all titles to HDD and re-burn entire project
 Appends the title directly Appends the title directly Appends the title directly
Delete video Must move all titles to HDD and re-burn entire project Title is deleted, leaving new space to combine with adjacent space only Title is deleted, leaving new space on the disc that can be used in conjuction with any other free space Title is deleted, leaving new space to combine with adjacent space only
Trim video Must move all assets to HDD and re-burn entire project Must move the edited title to HDD and re-burns that title Title is trimmed on-disc, leaving new space on the disc Title is trimmed on-disc, leaving new space on the disc
Cut video Must move all assets to HDD and re-burn entire project Must move the edited title to HDD and re-burn that title Title is cut on-disc Title is cut on-disc
Direct-to-disc capture N/A Captures video directly to disc, bypassing HDD Captures video directly to disc, bypassing HDD Captures video directly to disc, bypassing HDD
Interface style Menu Menu Playlist Menu
Menu space handling Menu space is as large as menus need Menu space is pre-allocated at formating No menus - only playlists 30 MB menu space limitation
Format Playback Compatibility* Format compatible with most DVD Playback devices Format compatible with most DVD Playback devices Format compatible with -VR aware devices (-VR Recorders and newer -R/RW DVD Players) Format compatible with +VR aware devices and many other DVD playback devices

NOTE: This is for Format playback compatibility only. Media type used will also affect playback compatibility.



DVD VR and DVD MovieFactory

Again, you can take advantage of the DVD VR technology using DVD MovieFactory. Output your DVD projects in VR format and then do further editing using the Edit DVD feature. You can also transfer a DVD movie encoded in the DVD-VR format to a standard DVD-Video disc that is compatible with most home DVD players. Refer to the following links below to learn how to use DVD MovieFactory’s DVD VR features:

Editing discs created from set-top recorders (DVD Video Recording)
Transfer DVD-VR to DVD-Video for home DVD players