What is the maximum storage on DVD?

Answer 1

It depends on the disc you buy and it should say how many minutes it can hold.

There are many kinds of DVDs with varying capacities. Single layer, double layer, single sided, double sided... Printed on the disk (CD or DVD) there will be a number listing the capacity of that disk - DO NOT BELIEVE IT. The practical storage capacity of the disk is about 93% of that number. You are safe in assuming 10% of that printed number should be lopped off giving you a practical storage capacity. So, a DVD-5 (single sided, single layer, 12cm diameter (regular sized DVD)) says it holds 4.7GB. In practical application that disk actually holds about 4.38GB. WHY? Well, the GB listed there is base 10 (SI units) in that a kilo = 1,000, where in practical computer terms, Kilo-byte, a binary number, is 1,024. That little 24 over 4.x GB adds up making the practical storage of any digital medium about 93% of the base 10 storage capacity printed on the front. Why don't manufacturers list the practical storage capacity instead of the base 10 number? I don't know. Maybe bigger is better? If company A lists a DVD at 4.7GB and company B lists the exact same DVD as 4.38GB, which one would you buy? Even though they store exactly the same amount, consumers want more for their dollar.