Constant Linear Velocity

Laserdisc format in which the disc is spun at varying speeds or revolutions per second to allow the laser to maintain a constant speed over the surface of the disc resulting in the ability to maximize data storage (compared to a CAV disc). Compact discs are also constant linear velocity discs. he inner data track of the disc spins faster than the outer track of the disc. Since the distance around the outer track is longer than that of the inner track (with intermediate tracks becoming larger as they move out toward a disc’s outer edge), the disc must travel slower in order for the laser to cover the same distance. If it did not travel slower for the outer tracks, the outer tracks would zip by above the laser at too great a speed resulting in the laser not reading as much information. LV laserdiscs are not able to produce “special effects” such as slow motion or stop motion like CAV laserdiscs; however, laserdisc players with digital field memories are able to create the special effects on CLV discs using special memory storage ability. CLV discs result in the disc spinning at varying revolutions but data moving over the laser at a constant speed resulting in maximized data storage (60 minutes per side for a CLV laserdisc versus 30 minutes for a CAV laserdisc).