Introduction to Burning DVDs

by John James 

Understand the Media

Blank DVDs come in a variety of forms and the ones you will most likely use are, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW and DVD-RW. There are also double-layer DVDs and burners capable of burning them, the principle is much the same but the following relates to the standard 4.7 GB DVD disk.

You should first determine what your burner will accept and what your DVD player will accept. The more recent burners will burn both + and – DVDs but check the compatibility between your player and burner before you buy. Not much good having a burner that will only burn DVD+ and a player which will only play DVD- or vice versa. Also some DVD players will not play any burned DVDs.

I have been told that DVD players do not accept burned DVD RW discs and that was my experience. I got sound but no video.

Blank DVDs have their burning speeds indicated by 2x, 4x, 8x etc.  With DVDs the “x” refers to 1,250 Kbps. You cannot normally burn DVDs faster than the maximum burning speed of your blank DVD and it is suggested that you burn at half that speed until you are sure that you can safely do otherwise..  

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