Alternatively called a DVD writer, recordable DVD drives are disc drives capable of creating DVD discs. Unfortunately, unlike recordable CD drives, many competing standards exist for creating DVD discs. For example, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD+R DL (DVD+R9), and DVD-RAM are all distinct DVD standards. Below is a brief explanation of each of these standards and related links to each of these standards.

DVD-R

Short for digital versatile disc recordable, DVD-R is a drive capable of recording once to a disc and reading many times after it is created. DVD-R is an approved standard by DVD Forum and the drives are capable of recording to DVD-R discs, also known as “DVD-5” and “DVD-10” discs.

  • DVD-R
  • DVD-RW (DVD-R/W)
  • DVD+R
  • DVD+RW
  • DVD+R DL (DVD+R9)
  • DVD-RAM
  • Related information

DVD-RW (DVD-R/W)

Short for digital versatile disc read/write, DVD-RW is an approved standard by DVD Forum. Similar to CD-RW, it’s a technology that enables a user to read and write to a DVD-RW or DVD-R disc multiple times. DVD-RW drives are capable of recording to DVD-R and DVD-RW discs and are also known as “DVD-5” and “DVD-10” discs.

DVD-R discs are compatible with most stand alone DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives.

DVD+R

Short for digital versatile disc recordable, DVD+R is DVD+RW Alliance standard of disc. DVD+R is a technology that enables a user to read and write to a DVD+RW or DVD+R disc several times. DVD+RW drives are capable of recording DVD+R discs, also known as “DVD-5” or “DVD-10” discs.

DVD-RW discs are compatible with most stand-alone DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives.

DVD+RW

Short for digital versatile disc read/write, DVD+R is a DVD+RW Alliance standard much like CD-RW and DVD-R. With DVD+RW you can read and write to a DVD+RW or DVD+R disc several times. DVD+RW drives are capable of recording DVD+R and DVD+RW discs, also known as “DVD-5” or “DVD-10” discs.

DVD+R discs are compatible with most stand-alone DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives.

DVD+R DL (DVD+R9)

Short for digital versatile disc recordable dual layer, DVD+R DL is a DVD+RW Alliance standard that almost doubles the capacity of a DVD compared with the DVD+R or DVD+RW discs. DVD+R DL are also known as “DVD-9” and “DVD-18” discs.

DVD+RW discs are compatible with most stand-alone DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives.

DVD-RAM

Short for digital versatile disc random access memory, DVD-RAM drives are a DVD+RW Alliance standard similar to CD-RW in that they enable users to read and write to a disc several times.

DVD+R DL discs are compatible with most stand-alone DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives.

Burner, Computer abbreviations, DVD, DVD Forum, DVD+RW Alliance, DVD terms, Storage device

Unlike competing standards of DVD recordable discs, DVD-RAM discs cannot be read in most stand-alone DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives.

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