What exactly is DVD R/RW or DVD R DL or DVD RAM formats?

[Lachesis00]

I know what R/RW is, but what type of DVD format is DVD R DL and DVD RAM?

I am getting hacked off. I tried to back up my photos to DVD today with a -R DVD and it got kicked back giving me an error that it needs a DVD R/RW or DVD R DL or DVD RAM.

I must be getting old. I use to know everything about computers, now I know nothing :scared: I really thought I was on top of technology. Apparently not :confused3

Can you guys explain the differences and are these new formatted DVDs expensive? Does this mean (I am guessing yes LOL) I can't use my -R DVDs any more :confused: I am really cheesed off man!!

[ukcatfan]

Most drives can use both + and - but some can only use one or the other. The DL and RAW are double the space, but the disks currently are more than double the cost. If DVD-R is not working, then try the +.

Kevin

[Groucho]

Theoretically DVD-RAM is best due to built-in error correction and defect management (estimated to last 30 years w/o physical damage), and they're all re-writable. They come in single and dual-layer format and store the same amount as other DVD formats.

All the "-" formats are "official" DVD forum-spec, while the "+" are unofficial. (This doesn't matter much in the real world, but that's why there's the two.) -Rs hold very slightly more data.

The -R and +Rs are regular single-layer 4.7g write-once discs. The -RW and +RW are rewritable single-layer discs. The DL discs are dual-layer and hold a little less than half the amount of data - about 8.5 gigs.

Some older burners could only write to one or the other of the common +/- formats. It sounds like you've got a burner that will only burn +R discs, so the -Rs aren't accepted.

If you have a desktop PC, you can upgrade to a modern 16-18x burner that'll burn all three formats for just over $30. If you have a laptop, then you may or may not be able to find an affordable upgrade, or use an external burner, though you'll want to have USB2 in order to write data quickly enough.

[Lachesis00]

Kind of stinks. We just bought this computer 2 weeks ago. It is top notch except for this DVD issue. :( You'd think it could do the +/- R formats :( I am glad to hear the RAWs are not much more $$$ wise.

[Groucho]

If you just bought the computer, I'd almost guarantee that it can do both +/- formats. I don't think anyone has made a one-format-only drive in a few years. What was the exact error message you got, and what program gave the error? And what was the exact type of media you were using?

Also, it's DVD-RAM, not -RAW. Those blanks are around $6-8 each, so they are significantly more expensive than the usual +/- blank (about 25 cents) or even dual-layer media ($1.50-2).

[ktulu]

What kind of computer did you buy (dell, hp, etc), and what is the brand of the DVD's? Cheap media can cause issues as well.

[dpuck1998]

Like ktulu said, I'd bet it was bad media. If your computer is new chances are VERY HIGH that it can record to -R or +R. I'd try some other discs or even others in the same spindle. I've had cheap media where half the spindle didn't work.