CLV Clarified

It helps to remember that CLV stands for constant linear velocity. Because the inner tracks are shorter than the outer tracks (and because the pit spacing -- which must fall within very tight parameters -- is constant), they contain less data. Rather, the laser sees less data during a revolution of the disc. Therefore, the drive has to spin the disc faster, exposing more pits to the laser, to maintain a constant bit rate on the inner tracks. -- Tom R. Halfhill, senior editor