Optical Drive
Several types of optical drives using various media
are currently available. One that can record DVDs is
particularly useful if you need to record large amounts of data, since
a DVD can store up to 4.7 GB of information per layer. All of the recordable
DVD drives work about the same. Each computer company's drive can create
DVDs that will play back on another company's DVD drive. However, older
stand-alone DVD players may have difficulty playing DVD±R/RW
media.
To help you
shop for an optical drive for your computer, the table below summarizes
the various drive types as well as the media that each can play back and
record.
Drive type |
Can record |
Can play back |
| CD-ROM |
none |
CD |
CD-RW/DVD
(Combo drive) |
CD-R
CD-RW |
CD
DVD |
| DVD-R/RW |
CD-R
CD-RW
DVD-R
DVD-RW |
all common removable optical media |
| DVD+R/RW |
CD-R
CD-RW
DVD+R
DVD+RW |
all common removable optical media |
| DVD±R/RW |
CD-R
CD-RW
DVD+R
DVD+RW
DVD-R
DVD-RW |
all common removable optical media |
Last modified
February 14, 2006
by cawalker
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