How to Burn a DVD-R

The DVD-R is the most commonly used consumer level DVD recording format and is compatible with more than 90% of the standalone DVD players on the market. The DVD-R comes in two basic versions: the standard DVD-R, which holds up to 4.38 gigabytes of data and is also referred to as DVD-5 or single-layer DVD; and the DVD-R DL, which holds almost 8 gigabytes of data and is sometimes referred to as DVD-9 or double-layer DVD. There are a number of options for authoring a DVD-R.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with a DVD-R compatible burner installed or attached. Blank DVD-R disk Nero burning software or similar DVD-burning program

1. Insert your blank DVD-R disk into your DVD burner.

2. Run Nero (or similar DVD-burning software), and select the type of DVD you want to burn. If you want to burn a DVD-R DL, you need a compatible disk and burner. If you want to burn a DVD video disk, select the "Burn DVD Video" button.

3. Click the "Add" button on your DVD-burning software and select the content from your hard drive you want to burn onto your DVD-R. If you are burning a DVD video disk, you will only be able to add video content to your blank disk.

4. Click the "Finished" button and proceed to the next screen. Here you need to select the write speed for your project. Most burning programs will automatically cap your options at your disk's or burner's maximum write speed (whichever is lower).

5. Click the "Burn Now" button to begin the burning process. Depending on the amount of data, whether the disk is single- of double-layered, and the write speed, the job can take anywhere from a few minutes to a half hour.

Tips & Warnings

• It's often best to choose a write speed slightly under the maximum write speed your disk. This can help ensure a stable burning process and prevent problems resulting in unusable disks.
• Any copyrighted content being burned to a DVD disk should be done so solely for backup purposes by the owner and not for any type of distribution.

References

• A great place to lean and ask questions about DVD burning.
• More specifics about DVD burning.
• Free DVD burning software.

Resources

• An excellent source of DVD format and authoring information.