The present invention relates to DVDs. According to the present invention, the recording layer is at least partially or entirely positioned at a distance T 7 of less than 0.4 mm with respect to the second surface. Therefore, when the optical recording medium of the present invention is clamped in a drive, the recording layer has a "higher" position than a recording layer of a known DVD. The layer structure of the inventive optical recording medium is a key feature of reducing the thickness of the disc in an area of the recording layer. In particular, a thickness T 1 of only 0.4 to 0.7 mm is possible while remaining the reliability of the optical recording medium (i.e. without reading problems in most or all drives). Further, it is achieved that the optical recording medium may have only one substrate, i.e. only one dies of polycarbonate, whereas the other side of the recording layer is only covered by a protective lacquer. With that, manufacturing of the inventive optical recording medium is facilitated and more cost-efficient.