How to Buy Blank DVDs
Blank DVDs can be purchased from just about any computer or consumer electronics store and are usually found in the computer department. It's important to pay attention to the format of your DVD recorder. DVDs can be bought in DVD +R or DVD --R format. The format is displayed on the packaging. Another element to pay attention to is whether the blank DVD you are about to purchase is intended for data or video use only.
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Instructions
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Determine the format of your recorder. DVDs come in two different formats: DVD --R and DVD +R. If your DVD recorder records in --R, you need to purchase DVDs that are also --R. The +R blank DVDs will not work in a --R recorder. Your DVD recorder may have a label that indicates the type of DVDs it records with. If it doesn't, check the user manual.
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Determine what will be recorded. If you are burning data to disc, purchase DVDs that are specified for data use. If you will be recording video, check for DVDs that are specifically made for video use only.
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Determine whether you want the option to re-record over your DVDs. You may purchase DVDs designated as +RW or --RW, which means that they are rewritable and you can continue to record over them.
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Determine the brand of DVDs. Stick with major brands such as Verbatim or Taiyo Yuden. These brands have been known to be of high quality. Some brands tend to produce DVDs that will skip.
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Tips & Warnings
Today, most DVD records can record in both DVD --R and DVD +R formats. Verify with your DVD recorder manual to make sure. DVD players may also be specific to the format that they play in. Today, most DVD players will play DVDs of both the DVD --R and DVD +R formats; however, older players may not. The DVD +R format is supported by Philips, HP, Dell, Sony, Yamaha and others. The DVD --R format is supported by Apple, Toshiba, Panasonic, Hitachi, Sharp, Samsung and others.
References
- Photo Credit Daniel Hedrick (flickr.com) under Creative Commons 2.0 Attribution License.
