DVD-RWs... How do they work?

[Jimplication]

This post kind of goes alongside my other post here regarding Comcast DVRs.

As I stated there, I often use my DVD recorder to record programs I watch once and discard, and as a result am acquiring an impressive stack of "wasted" DVDs that can't be re-written or used again.

I've been thinking about alternatives to this. One was a Comcast DVR, and the other is a DVD-RW.

How exactly do DVD-RW (re-writable) discs work? Does the quality lessen with repeated recordings? Is the storage capacity of the DVD-RW disc lessened after each "overwrite"?

Depending on the answers to the questions above, this might be a more financially viable option than a DVR from Comcast.

Thanks!

[HungryBologna]

Re: DVD-RWs... How do they work?

I use them all the time and haven't noticed any of that you mentioned. They work exactly like DVDRs, only.. you can rewrite them.

[Jimplication]

Re: DVD-RWs... How do they work?

I use them all the time and haven't noticed any of that you mentioned. They work exactly like DVDRs, only.. you can rewrite them.

Sounds good, thanks for the reply.

My DVD player requires I finalize discs to make the compatible with all DVD players (un-finalized can only be viewed on mine). Are RWs still finalized, or once done, does that prevent them from being used again?

Also, do you have any recommendations regarding brands, etc.? I've been using Memorex for DVD-R and CD-Rs, but after briefly checking out Amazon, it seems some people really ripped their DVD-RW discs.

Again, thanks for the reply. I may end up checking the DVD-RW route out first, as it's likely cheaper and less of a runaround to get going.

[Rodster]

Re: DVD-RWs... How do they work?

This post kind of goes alongside my other post here regarding Comcast DVRs.

As I stated there, I often use my DVD recorder to record programs I watch once and discard, and as a result am acquiring an impressive stack of "wasted" DVDs that can't be re-written or used again.

I've been thinking about alternatives to this. One was a Comcast DVR, and the other is a DVD-RW.

How exactly do DVD-RW (re-writable) discs work? Does the quality lessen with repeated recordings? Is the storage capacity of the DVD-RW disc lessened after each "overwrite"?

Depending on the answers to the questions above, this might be a more financially viable option than a DVR from Comcast.

Thanks!

I know the basics of using re-writable DVD-RW's. The quality stays the same but you only have so many rewrites. I believe that number is in the range of 1000 re-writes total. The storage capacity is decreased somewhat as the formula is similar to that of a HDD. Once you format a drive the OS reserves a small portion of the HDD for files it needs to use. The amount is much smaller when it comes to CD/RW's or DVD/RW's.

My DVD/RW drive came with Nero 6. What I prefer to do is a complete format when backing up data files files to my DVD/RW disc. A complete format writes zero's in each location of the disc.

You can also do an erase which just erases the File Allocation Table(might be called something else). The rest of the data stays intact until you need to write data in that location and then it gets over written.

I find doing a complete format cuts down on disc errors. I hope I was able to answer some of your questions.