DVD-R Compatibility
DVD-R are the blank, recordable versions of the shiny silver discs you buy in the shops with films on. The DVD-R format is the one approved by the DVD Forum and the majority of modern set-top players support it, especially the cheaper ones, which tend to use more standard components.
Which is not to say that there aren't quite a few teething problems in the system. Here are a few of the variables:
- The different coloured dye used in different DVD-R media
- Different DVD-R laser/drive mechanisms used in the various set-top players
- Different firmware (software) used in the set-top player's computer processor
Before you run away scared though, it's vitally important to understand that current set-top compatibility problems in no way dent the viability of DVD-R discs as a long term medium for your video clips. Remember we're talking about an all-digital medium - if you can read one bit of data then you can read the lot, with perfect integrity. So your DVD video data can be perfectly copied onto other (perhaps differently dyed) DVD-R media in the future with no loss of quality whatsoever. The issues are all to do with the hardware and software in the set-top players and nothing to do with the discs themselves!
Before going ahead with video-to-DVD conversion, your best bet is to do any or all of the below:
- Order a copy of my DVD-R test disc. There's absolutely no substitute for a real test with a real disc. If your current player doesn't support DVD-R, why not take the test disc into a showroom and ask them to show you which current models does play DVD-R?
- Type in your set-top player model name in the interactive table at VCDHelp. This is pretty up-to-date and comprehensive, and contains much user-submitted tips and observations.
- Check your set-top player manual, or with its manufacturer, to see if it claims to support DVD-R. Note that they're sometimes 'lying' though - so take claims with a pinch of salt!
Again, don't be too discouraged by the apparent compatibility maze - things are improving (fast) all the time and there's no reason why all future DVD set-top players shouldn't be fully backwards compatible with DVD-R discs.
Previous visitors to the site may remember we used to offer a DVD-R compatibility table here. From hard-won real world experience, we've realised that a simple yes/no table is horribly simplistic - there are too many variables to give so clear-cut an answer (media/hardware/software). Again, see the notes above and don't forget the test disc!