Recordable DVD drives

Updated: 04/30/2020 by Computer Hope

Alternatively called a DVD writer, recordable DVD drives are disc drives capable of creating DVD (digital versatile disc) discs. Unfortunately, unlike recordable CD (compact disc) drives, many competing standards exist for creating DVDs. For example, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD+R DL (DVD+R9), and DVD-RAM are all distinct DVD standards. Below is a brief explanation of these standards and related links to each.

DVD-R

Short for digital versatile disc recordable, DVD-R is a drive capable of recording once to a disc and then reading multiple times after it is created. DVD-R is an approved standard by DVD Forum, and the drives can record to DVD-R discs, also known as "DVD-5" and "DVD-10" discs.

Note

DVD-R discs are compatible with most DVD players and computer DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc read-only memory) drives.

DVD-RW (DVD-R/W)

Short for digital versatile disc read/write, DVD-RW is an approved standard by DVD Forum. Like CD-RW (compact disc re-writable), it's a technology that enables users to read and write to a DVD-RW or DVD-R disc multiple times. DVD-RW drives can record to DVD-R and DVD-RW discs, also known as "DVD-5" and "DVD-10" discs.

Note

DVD-RW discs are compatible with most stand-alone DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives.

DVD+R

Short for digital versatile disc recordable, DVD+R is a DVD+RW Alliance disc standard. DVD+R is a technology that enables users to read and write to a DVD+RW or DVD+R disc several times. DVD+RW drives can record DVD+R discs, also known as "DVD-5" or "DVD-10" discs.

Note

DVD+R discs are compatible with most stand-alone DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives.

DVD+RW

Short for digital versatile disc read/write, DVD+R is a DVD+RW Alliance standard, much like CD-RW and DVD-R. With DVD+RW, you can read and write to a DVD+RW or DVD+R disc several times. DVD+RW drives can record to DVD+R and DVD+RW discs, also known as "DVD-5" or "DVD-10" discs.

Note

DVD+RW discs are compatible with most stand-alone DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives.

DVD+R DL (DVD+R9)

Short for digital versatile disc recordable dual layer, DVD+R DL is a DVD+RW Alliance standard that almost doubles the capacity of a DVD compared with the DVD+R or DVD+RW discs. DVD+R DL are also called "DVD-9" and "DVD-18" discs.

Note

DVD+R DL discs are compatible with most stand-alone DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives.

DVD-RAM

Short for digital versatile disc random access memory, DVD-RAM drives are a DVD+RW Alliance standard similar to CD-RW, enabling users to read and write to a disc several times.

Note

Unlike competing standards of DVD recordable discs, DVD-RAM discs cannot be read in most stand-alone DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives.

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