GEAR PRO DVD has been specially designed for new technologies, being optimized for fast data transfer rates while ensuring data integrity. In addition to creating the large 3.95 GB and 4.7 GB DVD (Digital Versatile Discs) in UDF (Universal Disc Format), GEAR PRO DVD will support your needs, enabling you to erase the contents of your CD-RW disc and take advantage of this new medium over and over again. GEAR PRO DVD supports the recording of DVD-R media using DVD recorders like the Pioneer DVD-R S101. To master your DVD-ROM title, GEAR PRO DVD supports the creation of a pre master tape, optionally in DDP format. Tape output can be performed to DLT tape units, Exabyte 8 mm tape drives or DAT. To format your data for a DVD-ROM title, GEAR PRO DVD supports the standard UDF file system. UDF can be combined with the regular ISO 9660 file system (ISO/UDF hybrid) for backwards compatibility. 

What is DVD-RAM? 
DVD-RAM is a high-capacity, high-performance optical disk that allows data to be read, written and erased. It is designed to work exactly like a floppy disk, allowing users to copy and delete files from it, and use it to run programs. DVD-RAM offers all of the benefits of DVD — including high capacity and compatibility with CD formats — combined with enhanced rewriteability. With current capacities of 2.6GB to 5.2 GB per disk, DVD-RAM offers up to eight times the storage of a rewriteable CD. The growth path for DVD-RAM takes capacities even higher to 9.4GB per disk. In addition, DVD-RAM is much cheaper than conventional magneto-optical drives. At less than one penny per megabyte, it is the most economical rewriteable medium available today. Also, it can read all of the CD and DVD formats including CD-ROM, CD-Audio, CD-R , CD-RW, DVD-ROM and DVD-R, making it an ideal choice for high-density data storage and exchange. This information, along with many more details can be found at Toshiba.

Sounds like a hard drive doesn’t it? The main differences are slower speed, and less capacity, but it has terrific portability. The international group setting a universal “standard” for this format is in something of a battle similar to the old Betamax vs. VHS. The proposed specifications use a 27GB disk, along with a Blu-ray laser for recording/playback. Not all members are on the same page, and the Blu-ray is apparently not backwards compatible with all existing formats. There is an excellent article by Yoshiko Hara detailing the specifications. After reading all the above, and checking out pricing, I think I’ll wait until they finalize specifications, bring out conforming recorders, and the price comes down. I checked out prices on a few recorders, and the lowest price for a name brand was $291.89 for  Panasonic LF-D311. Problem was, it is not on the list of approved (working) recorders on Gear’s Web site. Go to GEAR’s Web site and check to see if your DVD, or a DVD you are interested in, is listed: It probably is, as the list is extensive. I did find very reasonably priced media. As this is written (June), you can get a 4.7GB DVD-R-GOLD-2 disk with plain jewel case for $2.15 from Geek's Outlet .

The capabilities of this application appear to be greater than that found in other DVD recording applications available at your local store. One feature I really wanted to try was the CPMI. I don’t know exactly what these letters stand for, because it only has a passing reference to it in the included PDF file in the help section. No joy on the ‘net either. I do know it has to do with copy protection. You can set your disk to allow no copying, unlimited copying, first generation copying, or no copyrighted material. This is another example of why this is not a simple CD-DVD creator, but a professional level application for mass copying.I really wanted to check out the functionality of this item, but will have to wait until I get my new DVD burner.

No such problem for CD’s. I normally use Linux for almost all my computing needs, but this version is for Windows. (There is a version for UNIX). My usual CD burner is a Yamaha SCSI 16x hooked into my Linux machine, so I used another older computer running a HP 4x4x24 CD-RW under Windows 98. Easy money! The graphical interface is easy to understand and begin using immediately. There was one, no, make that several differences from my usual CD burner software; OPTIONS! I tried to make a data storage file of almost 700MB, and Gear said I did not have enough space. Seeing as the disk was a 700MB blank, I checked to find the source of the problem. Inside the options-preferences menu, there are multiple content settings. More indications this is GEARED (pun) toward the professional. Resetting the default 650MB to the desired 700MB solved the problem. Smoke ‘m if ya got ‘m. One CD completed and fully operational.

This application is much more than I expected. It does everything I want, and has capabilities that I cannot even use yet. I plan to remedy that soon. The package is probably too pricey for those who want to simply make back up disks, store data, or create home videos to share with Grandma, but it is sort of a Swiss army knife of CD-DVD creators. Good package!

Since DVD Pro is beyond a throw in with a new CD burner, I was unable to find it locally. You can order it direct from GEAR for $699.00. You can also download demo versions from their Web site and try them before you buy. You can also get more information about DVD’s from DVD Forum. 

System requirements
Pentium class CPU of 166MHz or faster, Windows 95 or newer, or UNIX, CDRW, DVD/CD_RW, 250 MB minimum space for DVD Pro, Sufficient space for creating a disk
12ms or faster hard drive.
 

Gear Software, Inc.
1061 East Indiantown Road
Suite 500, Jupiter, FL 33477
Phone: 561-575-4327.