Recordable DVD FAQ

This is an FAQ for people who need answers about playing home-made DVDs. It was written in November, 2002 and updated in April, 2004. Hopefully it will seem quaint and obsolete sometime soon.

Somebody wants to send me a home-made DVD, and asked what type I want. How do I answer?: You have to find out what types of DVDs your home player(s) can play. There are four types: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW.
Any given living-room DVD player might support one or more, all, or none of these formats. It's just a fact of life.
How can I tell what types of discs my player will play?: Go to www.dvdrhelp.com and look up your player. Click on "DVD Players" in the left-hand column. Then enter your DVD player's brand name in the "Search by brand" box and click Search. Look in the results for your exact player model number. The entry will show the formats your player can play. Plain text (like "DVD+R") means it's supported. Strikethrough (~~DVD+R~~) means it's not supported. Gray (DVD+R?) means "unknown."
There's a lot more in the entry about what your player will and won't play, but we aren't interested in that right now. If your DVD player isn't listed there, try a Google search and look for your DVD player's brand and model. Look for a page that shows "specifications," listing the media types it will play.
I got a home-made DVD from somebody but it doesn't play in my player.: The disc might be in a format your player doesn't support (see above), or maybe something went wrong when it was made. (It happens.) Media quality varies, and some players are more tolerant than others.
My computer has a DVD-ROM player (or a DVD recorder). What formats will it play?: All of them. DVD-ROM players and DVD burners in computers generally play all of the recordable formats.
You will need DVD player software like WinDVD or PowerDVD. There are free trial versions of those at the web sites. There are also some free players but they can be tricky to install and use.
I got a recorded DVD from somebody. How can I tell which type of disc it is?: Look at the disc or the box it came in: it'll say DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, or DVD+RW. If it doesn't say, it's hard to tell without a computer and software to show the disc type.
How can I shop for a player that plays the most formats?: Once again, go to www.dvdrhelp.com and click on "DVD Players" in the left-side navigation menu. In the search box, put checkmarks by all the formats you want to play and click "search" to narrow the list. Pick out a player based on compatibility, price, features, and the reviews. Check model numbers carefully. For example, Panasonic players generally have good compatibility, but not all their players will play all formats.
Apex brand players will generally play almost anything, and the cheap ones can be under $50 on sale. Look for the Apex AD-1200. It's cheaply made but it will play all DVD formats. So will lots of other, better, more expensive players now on the market.
I am thinking of buying a DVD writer - what should I know?: Get the kind that burns all four types. These are cheap and plentiful, and you won't go wrong.
What about DVD-RAM?: That's a different animal, a format that's strictly for storing computer data. It's not a video format at all.
What about NTSC vs. PAL?: The usual problems apply here. Just like commercial DVDs, home-made DVDs are either NTSC format or PAL format. (Or others?) Most players are designed to play just one format - the one for your part of the world. Some players can play both types. In a computer with a DVD drive and proper software, you can play either kind of DVD.

This page was last edited April 26, 2008.