DVD Media Types

When recording on DVD media, you must pay close attention to the DVD media type supported by your DVD recorder. Most DVD recorders record in only one or two media types, although some multi-recorders work in multiple formats, and super-multi recorders record all DVD media types. The standard size for a DVD disc of any format is 4.7GB, although some formats support additional storage up to 8.5GB. Not all DVD players are compatible with home-recorded DVD discs.

DVD-R
Pronounced "DVD-dash-R," DVD-R discs record in DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD Multi recorders, and most DVD players can read them. DVD-R formats come in two varieties: DVD-R(A) for authoring discs designed for use in professional or commercial applications, and DVD-R(G) for general discs designed for home use. You can only record once on a DVD-R disc.

DVD+R
Like DVD-R, DVD+R discs are designed for single-use recording. DVD+R discs only record in DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD Multi recorders. The only practical difference between DVD-R and DVD+R discs is that DVD+R discs record faster than DVD-R. Both discs perform equally well in playback and movie-watching functions.

DVD-RW
DVD-RW is the rewritable equivalent of DVD-R discs. You can record sequentially on DVD-RW discs until you finalize them, giving you the option to add content on an ongoing basis, but you'll have to finalize them before playing them in most DVD drives. Some DVD players have more difficulty playing DVD-RW media because the recording method is slightly different, leaving the DVD players unable to find the content or recognize the disc.

DVD+RW
DVD+RW is the rewritable version of DVD+R discs. Like DVD-RW, you can rerecord data up to 1,000 times, including recording in multiple sessions. However, once you finalize the disc, you must erase and reformat it prior to recording new information. DVD+RW discs record faster than DVD-RW discs, making them more practical for high-volume recording.

DVD-RAM
DVD-RAM discs are the most difficult to match in terms of compatibility. Only super-multi drives can record on DVD-RAM discs. DVD-RAM discs have the benefit of not needing to be finalized after recording, making it possible to record and access data in many sessions without losing the use of the disc or requiring you to erase previous data. However, not all DVD drives are compatible with DVD-RAM, so they're really only useful as a file storage and retrieval system.

Single-, Double- and Dual-Layer Discs
Not only do you have to worry about the + or - in your DVD media, but you also have to consider whether to use a single-, double- or dual-layer disc. Dual- and double-layer discs support 8.5GB of storage, rather than the 4.7GB in a single-layer disc. DVD-R/RW formats use dual-layer discs, while DVD+R/RW formats use double-layer discs. You can only record dual-layer or double-layer discs in compatible drives; older DVD burners only record in single-layer disc formats.