Re: the DVD-RW medium

[Goodluck Jonathan]

Hi,

I was just wondering wether I can use DVD-RW discs (rather than DVD-R) when burning DIVX- and AVI files onto a DVD for viewing in a standalone DVD-player.

I know that this would present no problem in a PC, but as I don't have a DVD-player to test in I am putting the question to you folks.

Thank you.

[hech54]

Hi,

I was just wondering wether I can use DVD-RW discs (rather than DVD-R) when burning DIVX- and AVI files onto a DVD for viewing in a standalone DVD-player.

Yes
No
You'll need to be more specific.
Does your DVD player play Divx/Avi files at all?

[jman98]

You can, but...

1) It depends on whether your DVD players plays Xvid/Divx or not.
2) It depends on whether your DVD player supports the plus or minus type of re-writable DVD disc. Older players may only support one but any player made in the last 3 years should support both.
3) It depends on the brand you use. Verbatim is the ONLY reliable re-writable DVD brand. Period. You use anything else and it may or may not work on your player.

Finally, note that RW discs are NOT intended as permanent storage and eventually their phase change material will start to degrade and what you burned won't play any more, but you should be able to re-format the disc and reuse it. Whether this happens in one year or ten is hard to say, but it will eventually happen.

[Goodluck Jonathan]

Thanks jman for your comprehensive, informed answer.

1) I was thinking of converting back to DVD-format (.vob) from AVI/DIVX. Yes, yes, I know quality issue - but I want to make as sure as possible that the recipient will be able to play the DVD in their player and he doesn't care about quality reduction as compared to the original, store-bought DVD.

2) I assume, without knowing, that it's a player no older than that.

3) Then Verbatim it shall be.

Yes, I have learned the hard way (lost backup) not to trust RW discs with important data, al least not long-term.

Again thanks for your reply.