Using DVD-R

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dianne Aldridge
  • Start date Start date
D

Dianne Aldridge

I'm trying to burn a copy of my PP lessons to a DVD-R (CompUSA brand)
using Sonic's RecordNow! software but my DVD+RW will not accept the
disc; when I press 'Burn' the computer ejects the disc and asks for a
blank one. I'm guessing that the DVD-R needs to be formatted, but the
RecordNow! software does not provide a way to format the disc. Are
there any other programs that will format the disc and still allowed it
to be used in RecordNow!?

Thanks --
 
There are two formats for DVDs: + and -. From your message, it appears that
you have a + burner and a - DVD. You should check out the documentation for
your DVD burner to find out what kind of disks it takes. If it only takes +
disks, you'll have to get some DVD+R disks.

By the way, I'm not sure what "genius" came up with the idea that two
different formats should be designated by + or -. That seems like a
distinction that is a bit too subtle for most people to notice. What will
they think of next: a \ format and a / format?

--David

David Marcovitz
Micorosoft PowerPoint MVP
Author of _Powerful PowerPoint for Educators_
http://www.loyola.edu/education/PowerfulPowerPoint/
 
Hey! That was me. I spilled Mountan Dew on my keyboard and the only two
keys left that worked were '+' and '-'. Obviously I have a new keyboard
now.
 
What are the pluses and minuses of using + and - ?
More seriously, I'm assuming that the DVD is being used to record
video, or can it be used just to store a lot of regular computer data,
i.e. if I really need 4+ gigabytes to store my PPT files, would I use one of
these?
(This question may be important in about 5 years!)
 
What are the pluses and minuses of using + and - ?
Click to expand...

<g>

It's more a matter of compatibility than anything else. Some recorders can
only write to one or the other, some to both. Mine writes to both but if I use
+ DVD blanks, one of the older computers with a CDwriter/DVDreader can't play
them back. Apparently it has a negative attitude and will eat only - cds.
More seriously, I'm assuming that the DVD is being used to record
video, or can it be used just to store a lot of regular computer data,
Click to expand...

Either. You can also use them like very very big CDs. <g>
I got mine mostly to back up data. Never met a tape backup unit I liked, and
tape units are of limited use anyhow. This way I can have my backups and watch
movies too.
 
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