Newbie - Do I Have To Format DVD-RW ?

[wee haggis]

I am looking at replacing my VCR with a DVD-Recorder.
I know that I have to format DVD-RW 's on my compter.....but do I have to format (before each use),a DVD-RW being recorded in a DVD REcorder ?
Thanks

[samijubal]

The first time it needs formatted. If you just delete titles after that, it won't need formatted again.

[RabidDog]

With some drives "pre" formatting is not required (see MT rainier)

[Frobozz]

Pioneer calls it initializing which happens automatically the first time you insert a blank DVD-RW. After that you can just delete any titles recorded to the disc to free up more space.

[wee haggis]

Pioneer calls it initializing which happens automatically the first time you insert a blank DVD-RW. After that you can just delete any titles recorded to the disc to free up more space.

So...to be clear what you are saying.............If (for example) I set the recorder to record a soap opera every day,after watching it on the Monday I would have to do a simple delete of the title before using it on the Tuesday etc,etc ?....and if you didn't delete it,it would record the Tuesday show right after the already recorded Monday show ?

[tweedledee]

[quote="............If (for example) I set the recorder to record a soap opera every day,after watching it on the Monday I would have to do a simple delete of the title before using it on the Tuesday etc,etc ?....and if you didn't delete it,it would record the Tuesday show right after the already recorded Monday show ?[/quote]

That's correct.

[wee haggis]

Thanks Guys !
One more question.
I thought I read somewhere that if I use a DVD-RW disk that has already been formatted on a computer DVD drive,that I will not intialize on a standalone DVD Recorder ?
So I would have to use a brand new,un-formatted disk ?

[samijubal]

If it's been used on a PC it just needs to be formatted on the standalone, it doesn't make it incompatible with it.