DVD-RAM?

ram in random access memory.. you can format dvdrw to act like a momory device and increase the application performance.. it depends in the type of software you are using Advantages of DVD-RAM Long life — without physical damage, data is retained for 30 years minimum. However it is suspected that this is just a theoretical claim without firm proof.[citation needed] Can be rewritten over 100,000 times (DVD±RW can be rewritten approx. 1,000 times). Faster DVD-RAMs support fewer rewrites (3x speed: 100,000, 5x speed: 10,000) , but still more than DVD±RW. (Remember, these are theoretical numbers. In practice they could be smaller depending on the drive, the treatment of the disc and the file system.) Reliable writing of discs. Verification done in hardware by the drive, so post-write verification by software is unnecessary. Disc defect management safeguards data. Write speed twice as fast (when verification not enabled) as DVD+-RW (Note: 12x DVD-RAM spec = 16 DVD-+RW spec. As of 7/24/06, DVD+-RW write speed was at 8x (DVD+-RW specification) while DVD-RAM is at 12x (DVD-RAM speed specification)). DVD burning software may not be required – discs can be used and accessed like a removable hard disk. Mac OS (8.6 or later) supports DVD-RAM directly. Windows XP supports DVD-RAM directly only for FAT32-formatted discs. Device drivers or other software are needed for earlier versions of Windows or if one wants to use the decidedly better UDF format rather than FAT32. Easier to use than other DVD technology. Very fast access of smaller files on the disc. 2 KB disc block size wastes less space when writing small files. Finalization not necessary Media available with or without protective cartridges. In video recorders, DVD-RAM can be written to and watched (even separate programs) at the same time, much like TiVO. Supports time slip recording and recording without border in/out writing [edit] Disadvantages of DVD-RAM 12x media is not readily available in the USA and will not be available in the US and Europe in the near future due to low market demand. 16x media may not be available anywhere except manufacturers' R&D laboratories. DVD-RAM media is more expensive than other DVD types. 12x media is expected to cost almost $9 per disc, at least initially, but this price will fall as production ramps up. DVD-RAM writing will be slower than DVD+RW and DVD-RW until 12x DVD-RAM media becomes available. If write verification is enabled, the writing speed is decreased by about half. Using FAT32 instead of UDF may also slow DVD-RAM performance

Currently there are three competing technologies for rewritable DVDs: DVD-RAM, DVD+RW and DVD-RW. DVD-RAM is considered a highly reliable format, as the discs have built-in error control and a defect management system. Therefore, DVD-RAM is perceived to be better than the other DVD technologies for traditional computer usage tasks such as general data storage, backup and archival, though the Mt. Rainier standard for DVD+RW lessens this somewhat. Curiously, DVD-RAM has a larger presence in camcorders and set-top boxes than in computers. The on-disc structure of DVD-RAMs is closely related to hard disk and floppy disk technology, as it stores data in concentric tracks. DVD-RAMs can be accessed just like a hard or floppy disk and usually without any special software. DVD-RWs and DVD+RWs, on the other hand, store data in one long spiral track and require special packet reading/writing software to read and write data discs. It is a common misconception that DVD-RAM uses magneto-optical (MO) technologies: DVD-RAM is a pure phase change medium, similar to CD-RW or DVD-RW.