Using a recordable DVD drive

Using a recordable DVD drive

This guide provides basic information about creating DVDs with your recordable DVD drive. For information about creating CDs, see the guide that came with your writable CDs or see "Using a recordable drive" in your user's guide.

Read this guide to learn how to:

Identify your recordable DVD drive

Identify types of writable DVDs

Create data DVDs

Create video DVDs

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Identifying your recordable DVD drive

Important

The bezel on the Gateway Micro Tower case may hide the drive logo. To find out which drive type is installed in your computer, check your computer's specifications. For more information, see "Finding your specifications" in your user's guide.

Look on the front of the drive for one of the following logos:

DVD-RAM/DVD-R drive

Use a DVD-RAM/DVD-R drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, and recording video and data to DVD-RAM or DVD-R discs. You cannot use this drive to create CDs.

Combination
DVD/DVD-RAM/
DVD-R/CD-RW drive

Use a combination DVD/DVD-RAM/DVD-R/CD-RW drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, accessing data, recording music, video, and data to CD-R or CD-RW discs, and recording video and data to DVD-RAM or DVD-R discs.

Identifying types of writable DVDs

There are two types of writable DVDs:

DVD-R discs are recordable, but not rewritable. If you leave the recording session open when you record a DVD-R disc, you can add additional files to the DVD-R disc in another recording session (only the first video session is playable in a home or car DVD player). You cannot erase a DVD-R disc or record over existing files.

DVD-RAM discs are recordable and rewritable. After you format your DVD-RAM discs, you can use them like you would use 3.5-inch diskettes or a hard drive, recording over or adding to the disc multiple times.

When to use DVD-R discs

When you want to store data that does not need to be changed or erased, use a DVD-R disc. For example, use a DVD-R disc when permanently saving large project files and saving home records, photos, or videos. Also, use a DVD-R disc when recording video for playback in a home or car DVD player. DVD-R discs are typically less expensive than DVD-RAM discs.

When to use DVD-RAM discs

When data may change or need to be erased, use a DVD-RAM disc. For example, use a DVD-RAM disc when saving project files that are a work in progress, erasing files that are outdated or confidential, or updating files that have changed. You cannot create a video DVD with a DVD-RAM disc.

Where to buy writable DVDs

Gateway offers writable DVDs and other computer supplies and accessories for your computer. To view and order products, go to the Accessory Superstore at www.gateway.com or visit a Gateway store. To order supplies and accessories by telephone, call Gateway Add-On Sales at 800-846-2080.

Creating DVDs

You can use writable DVDs to make data DVDs and video DVDs (you cannot make music DVDs). The following table shows the types of writable DVDs to use, depending on your project.

DVD-RAM discs that are not pre-formatted must be formatted before initial use.

To create... Use a...

Data DVDs

DVD-R disc with Roxio Easy CD Creator, My Computer, or Windows Explorer. (If you use My Computer or Windows Explorer, you must format the disc before you copy files to the disc.)

DVD-RAM disc with My Computer or Windows Explorer to format the disc, then use My Computer or Windows Explorer to copy to and erase files from the disc. You cannot use a DVD-RAM disc with Easy CD Creator.

Video DVDs

DVD-R disc with the video authoring and recording program that came with your computer, such as Pinnacle Expression. You cannot use a DVD-RAM disc to create a video DVD.

Important

We recommend that you do not use your computer for other tasks while creating DVDs.

Important

If you record copyrighted material on a CD or DVD, you need permission from the copyright owner. Otherwise, you may be violating copyright law and be subject to payment of damages and other remedies. If you are uncertain about your rights, contact your legal advisor.

To create a data DVD using a DVD-R disc and Roxio Easy CD Creator, see "Creating a data DVD with Roxio Easy CD Creator".

To create a data DVD using a DVD-R or DVD-RAM disc and My Computer, see "Creating a data DVD with My Computer".

To create a video DVD using a DVD-R disc, see "Creating a video DVD".

Creating a data DVD with Roxio Easy CD Creator

To create a data DVD with Easy CD Creator:

Insert a blank, writable DVD-R disc into your recordable DVD drive. You cannot use a DVD-RAM disc with Easy CD Creator.

If a CD Drive dialog box opens, click Create a CD using Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click OK. The Select a Project window opens.

- OR -

If a dialog box does not open, click Start, All Programs, Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click Project Selector. The Select a Project window opens.

Move your pointer over make a data CD, then click dataDVD project. The Easy CD Creator window opens.

Click the arrow button to open the Select Source Files list, then click the drive or folder where the files you want to add to the writable DVD are located. If you do not see the folder you want, browse through the folders in the Source pane.

Click the file you want to record (hold down the Ctrl or Shift key when you click to select multiple files) in the Source pane, then click Add.

After you have added all of your files, click record. The Record CD Setup dialog box opens.

Click Start Recording.

Help and Support

For more information about creating DVDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword creating DVDs in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

Creating a data DVD with My Computer

To create a data DVD with My Computer:

Insert a blank, writable DVD-R or DVD-RAM disc into your recordable DVD drive.

If a CD Drive dialog box opens, click Take no action, then click OK.

Click Start, then click My Computer.

Right-click the recordable DVD drive icon, then click Format.

Format the DVD-R or DVD-RAM disc by following the on-screen instructions.

If you are using a DVD-R disc, copy or move files using My Computer. You cannot delete files.

- OR -

If you are using a DVD-RAM disc, copy, move, and delete files using My Computer, just as you would with a diskette.

Help and
Support

For more information about copying or moving files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword copying files and folders or moving files and folders in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

Creating a video DVD

To create a video DVD:

Insert a blank, writable DVD-R disc into your recordable DVD drive. You cannot use a DVD-RAM disc to create a video DVD.

If a CD Drive dialog box opens, click Take no action, then click OK.

Use your video authoring and recording program, such as Pinnacle Expression, to create video DVDs. For more information about using the program that came with your computer, see its online help.

After you connect your digital camcorder to your computer, creating a video DVD typically consists of three basic steps: capture the video, edit the video, and record the video to a DVD-R disc.

Help resources

Online help

For more information about using Roxio Easy CD Creator, see the Easy CD Creator online help.

To open Easy CD Creator online help:

Click Start, All Programs, Roxio Easy CD Creator, Applications, Easy CD Creator, then click Help.

HelpSpot

Your computer may include HelpSpot^TM, an easily accessible collection of help information, troubleshooters, instructional videos, and automated support. HelpSpot includes a video tutorial about making CDs.

To start the HelpSpot video about CDs:

Click Start, then click Help and Support. HelpSpot opens.

Click Video and Online Tutorials, click Using your computer, then click Making your own CDs. The video starts.

DVD-RAM/DVD-R drive	Use a DVD-RAM/DVD-R drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, and recording video and data to DVD-RAM or DVD-R discs. You cannot use this drive to create CDs.
Combination DVD/DVD-RAM/ DVD-R/CD-RW drive	Use a combination DVD/DVD-RAM/DVD-R/CD-RW drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, accessing data, recording music, video, and data to CD-R or CD-RW discs, and recording video and data to DVD-RAM or DVD-R discs.

To create...	Use a...
Data DVDs	DVD-R disc with Roxio Easy CD Creator, My Computer, or Windows Explorer. (If you use My Computer or Windows Explorer, you must format the disc before you copy files to the disc.) DVD-RAM disc with My Computer or Windows Explorer to format the disc, then use My Computer or Windows Explorer to copy to and erase files from the disc. You cannot use a DVD-RAM disc with Easy CD Creator.
Video DVDs	DVD-R disc with the video authoring and recording program that came with your computer, such as Pinnacle Expression. You cannot use a DVD-RAM disc to create a video DVD.