re-writing a re-writable DVD

jhundt · August 29th, 2006, 11:44 AM

how do you do that? just stick it in the drive and record over it, or do you have to erase or something first?

I just got my wife a DVD recorder for a gift. I'm sure she's gonna ask me how it works. Help me be a hero, friends.

and are re-writable CDs the same? Do you just stick 'em in the drive and record something else, or do you have to delete the old stuff? I feel very ancient asking this stuff, but hey! a guy's gotta learn somehow.

Skully · August 29th, 2006, 01:02 PM

Typically, the machine will tell you there's already content on the DVD and ask you if you want to write over it. Just click "yes," and the machine will rewrite the DVD.

timmer · August 29th, 2006, 01:44 PM

Try right-clicking on the drive with the disk in and select Erase.

jhundt · August 29th, 2006, 01:48 PM

thanks friends, now my wife will think I know everything. Or she will think that I think I know everything; or she will think I know that she thinks I know everything but she will think (or think she knows) that I don't. But at least I will be able to tell her how to re-use the DVD's, and that was the point.

denny · August 29th, 2006, 01:59 PM

If you are making a video DVD with menus, you will replace the data. For other types of DVDs and CDs, your burning software may allow you manipulate the playlist. Be aware that re-writeable discs will not work in many standalone DVD/CD players and older computers. If you are making a DVD or CD to give to someone else, use the write-once (R) type.

For data DVDs and CDROMS, your computer will format and use the disc like a drive on your system. You will see folders and files in Windows Explorer or other file manager, and you can copy, delete, and rename just as with any other drive.

One limitation of the re-writeable discs is that you can only write over an area on the disc a few hundred times before the disc becomes corrupted, and you could lose everything on the disc. Re-writeables are good for storage and backup, but not recommended for daily use where the data is changing often.

denny

O- Fender · August 29th, 2006, 09:14 PM

Is this one of the stand alone units? A DVD recorder that hooks up to your tv to record programs? If it is, you'll have to get familiar with the menu buttons. There will be one selection where you can erase a recording and one to format the disc. Formatting the disc erases all programs.
If it is a DVD recorder for your computer, forget what I just wrote and go with what everybody else says.

jhundt · August 30th, 2006, 01:28 AM

looks just like a normal DVD player that you hook up to the TV, only it has a 80 GB hard-drive and a DVD burner as well as play-back

getbent · August 30th, 2006, 01:49 AM

ummmm, go crazy and rtfm.

August 29th, 2006, 11:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
jhundt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Netherlands Age: 54 Posts: 3,005 9 Photos	re-writing a re-writable DVD how do you do that? just stick it in the drive and record over it, or do you have to erase or something first? I just got my wife a DVD recorder for a gift. I'm sure she's gonna ask me how it works. Help me be a hero, friends. and are re-writable CDs the same? Do you just stick 'em in the drive and record something else, or do you have to delete the old stuff? I feel very ancient asking this stuff, but hey! a guy's gotta learn somehow.

August 29th, 2006, 01:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
Skully Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Glamorous NoHo Posts: 3,988	Typically, the machine will tell you there's already content on the DVD and ask you if you want to write over it. Just click "yes," and the machine will rewrite the DVD. __________________ Myspace.com/skullysounds

August 29th, 2006, 01:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
jhundt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Netherlands Age: 54 Posts: 3,005 9 Photos	that's easy enough thanks friends, now my wife will think I know everything. Or she will think that I think I know everything; or she will think I know that she thinks I know everything but she will think (or think she knows) that I don't. But at least I will be able to tell her how to re-use the DVD's, and that was the point.

August 29th, 2006, 09:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
O- Fender Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 452	Is this one of the stand alone units? A DVD recorder that hooks up to your tv to record programs? If it is, you'll have to get familiar with the menu buttons. There will be one selection where you can erase a recording and one to format the disc. Formatting the disc erases all programs. If it is a DVD recorder for your computer, forget what I just wrote and go with what everybody else says. __________________ "Unless you are the lead dog, the scenery doesn't change much." - Kinky Friedman "Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music" - Anon.

August 30th, 2006, 01:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
jhundt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Netherlands Age: 54 Posts: 3,005 9 Photos	it's a stand-alone looks just like a normal DVD player that you hook up to the TV, only it has a 80 GB hard-drive and a DVD burner as well as play-back

August 29th, 2006, 01:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
denny Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North of Dallas Posts: 454	If you are making a video DVD with menus, you will replace the data. For other types of DVDs and CDs, your burning software may allow you manipulate the playlist. Be aware that re-writeable discs will not work in many standalone DVD/CD players and older computers. If you are making a DVD or CD to give to someone else, use the write-once (R) type. For data DVDs and CDROMS, your computer will format and use the disc like a drive on your system. You will see folders and files in Windows Explorer or other file manager, and you can copy, delete, and rename just as with any other drive. One limitation of the re-writeable discs is that you can only write over an area on the disc a few hundred times before the disc becomes corrupted, and you could lose everything on the disc. Re-writeables are good for storage and backup, but not recommended for daily use where the data is changing often. denny

August 30th, 2006, 01:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 10,172 37 Photos	ummmm, go crazy and rtfm. __________________ 'never pet a burning dog'