MiniDVD
MiniDVD (Mini DVD or miniDVD) is an 80 mm diameter DVD disc. In normal recording (standard DVD quality), it holds 30 minutes of video or 1.4 GB of data. Under SLP mode, comparable to VHS quality, it can hold 120 minutes of video. It's commonly used in camcorders, but the 80mm size was originally used for music CD singles. It can be played back in most DVD players that are tray loaded. The trays on players and DVD drives have an inner ring where the 80mm disc in centered for loading in the player. Slot loading players cannot use this format.
The format is also known as a video-single, or DVD single, being analogous to the CD single (miniCD) in being a singles format for music videos.
MiniDVDs (80 mm) are known also as "3 inch DVDs," referring to their approximate diameter in inches.
Mini DVD-R/-RW media are available and are marketed for use in some newer, DVD-based camcorders that record directly to the 80 mm DVD disc. Typically, these cameras offer three quality settings in varying bitrates: XP (20 minutes), SP (30 minutes), and LP (60 minutes).
Single Sided Dual Layer DVD+R and DVD-R forms of this media are now available. Released in Q2 of 2006 they boast 2.66 GB of data storage and hold up to 55 mins of continuous, Standard Definition video with recording speeds on a par with DVD-9 DL discs.
Although working out at around £1 (US$2) per gigabyte, they are aimed at the Camcorder market where they will nearly double the length of recording time but are also compatible with DVD players and drives that support dual layer media.
Physical size Single layer capacity Dual/Double layer capacity
12 cm, single sided 4.7 GB 8.5 GB
12 cm, double sided 9.4 GB 17 GB
8 cm, single sided 1.4 GB 2.66 GB
8 cm, double sided 2.8 GB 5.2 GB