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Getting started
First, determine which disc formats are compatible with your PC or DVD burner. Next, decide if you want permanent storage (R format) or the ability to add more files later (RW format).
Terms
LightScribe: HP's direct disc labeling technology that allows you to create and burn custom labels onto CDs and DVDs using the same drive that burns data. Special LightScribe discs and a LightScribe-enabled drive are required.
+R and -R: Recordable discs that can be burned once. Perfect for permanent storage. +R is superior in quality to -R.
+RW and -RW: Rewritable discs that can be burned multiple times (up to 1,000 times for DVDs), allowing you to continually add more data. +RW is superior in quality to -RW.
DVD-RAM: An optical, high-speed, rewritable disc that can store video with or without using a DVD burner. It's more robust than a traditional DVD, better protects data integrity, and can be rerecorded up to 100,000 times. DVD-RAM comes in two versions: a specially coated disc or a disc cartridge.
Compact discs hold 700MB of data (equivalent to 80 minutes of audio, hundreds of high-quality digital images, and small video files). Unlike DVDs, CDs are not yet available in double-sided or dual-layer formats.
Digital video discs have a significantly higher storage capacity than CDs and offer a fuller, multi-channel sound (such as surround-sound) experience.
There are four types of DVDs:
Single-sided discs that hold one layer of data
Double-sided discs that hold one layer of data on each side
Single-layer discs that hold two layers of data
Double-sided discs that hold two layers of data on each side
To utilize dual-layer technology, you must have both a compatible disc writer and dual-layer media. The actual number of files you can archive (or burn) on a disc varies depending on the quality level of saved files.
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