MiniDVD

MiniDVD (also Mini DVD or miniDVD) is a DVD disc which is 8 centimetres (3.15 in) in diameter. The most common MiniDVDs are single layered, which can hold 1.46 GB of data, however, there also exists dual layered 2.6 GB versions,[1] dual sided single layer 2.8 GB versions,[2] and dual sided dual layer 5.2 GB versions. The MiniDVD is also known as a "3 inch DVD", referring to its approximate diameter in inches.

This article is about 8 cm DVDs. For other uses, see MiniDVD (disambiguation).
Conventional 12 cm disc (left) compared to 8 cm disc (right)
Optical discs
General
Optical media types
Standards
See also

The 8 cm optical disc format was originally used for music CD singles, hence the commonly used names CD single and miniCD. Similarly, the manufactured 8 cm DVDs were originally used for music videos and as such became known as DVD single.

MiniDVD capacities

Recordable 8 cm discs are commonly used in DVD-based camcorders. The most common MiniDVDs are single layered and hold 1.4 GB of data, but there are variants that can offer up to 5.2 GB of storage space, through a combination of dual layers and dual sides. Mini DVDs are also available in +R, +R DS, +R DL, +R DL DS, +RW, +RW DS, -R, -R DS, -R DL, -R DL DS, -RW, and -RW DS variants, just like their full sized counterparts. (DL=Double Layer, DS=Double Sided). A double sided MiniDVD can hold 2.8 GB of data (1.4 GB x 2), however, a dual-layer MiniDVD can only hold 2.6 GB of data due to the limitations when manufacturing dual layered discs. A double sided dual layered disc can hold 5.2 GB of data (2.6 GB x 2), with the MiniDVD-RAM version of the double sided, dual layer disc being able to hold 5.6 GB of data (2.8GB x 2).

Physical size Single layer capacity Dual/Double layer capacity
12 cm, single sided[3]4.7 GB8.5 GB
12 cm, double sided[3]9.4 GB17.0 GB
8 cm, single sided[4]1.46 GB2.66 GB
8 cm, double sided[4]2.92 GB5.32 GB

Variants of MiniDVD

Nintendo used a very similar disc-based format for the GameCube. This format is also supported by the Wii for backward compatibility with the GameCube, however unofficial homebrew is required to use this feature on later Wii models.

See also

References
  1. "Mini DVD+R DL 2.6GB 2.4X Branded 3pk Jewel Case". Duplication.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  2. "Maxell Mini DVD-RAM VIDEO 60 Minute 2.8 GB". Duplication.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  3. 120 mm DVD - Read-Only Disk (PDF) (Standard) (3rd ed.). ECMA. April 2001. p. 4. 267.
  4. 80 mm DVD - Read-Only Disk (PDF) (Standard) (3rd ed.). ECMA. April 2001. p. 4. 268.
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