Recordable DVD drives

Alternatively referred to as a DVD writer, recordable DVD drivesare disc drives capable of creating DVD discs. Unfortunately, unlike recordable CD drives, any 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-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

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

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 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 when compared with the DVD+R or DVD+RW discs. DVD+R DL are also known as "DVD-9" and "DVD-18" discs.

DVD-RAM

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