The DVD-R recording format was first released in 1997 with only had a 3.5GB disc capacity. As the format developed (by creators DVD Forum), it eventually settled to the current disc capacity of 4.7GB. DVD-Rs (pronounced "DVD R", not "DVD dash R") are often used as general use recordables, due to the great compatible across many DVD players and relatively large capacity (that wasn't surpassed until the arrival of HD-DVD and Blu-ray. In addition to a variety of brands and formats, also find speciality DVD-Rs such as ink printable DVD-R, thermal printable DVD-R, and LightScribe DVD-R.