DVD burners: FAQs
Why do I want an external DVD burner?
Many computers will already have a DVD drive
It’s a quick and easy way to add DVD-burning capability to your computer. Computers will often already have the software and hardware you need to burn DVDs, but it’s not always obvious.
You may find that although you can write CDs, you can’t write DVDs, you can only play them.
How can I find out whether my computer can burn DVDs?
If you’re not sure whether your PC can burn DVDs, start by looking at the front panel of the drive, where it should display what kind of discs it can support.
If you want a comprehensive list of which types of disc your drive supports there’s a handy piece of free software called DISCInfo that’ll tell you.
- Download DISCInfo for free: click download on the web page, then click again on DISCInfo 1.6.1 and save this file.
- Right-click on the downloaded file and Extract all, then follow the instructions that pop up, and run it by double-clicking the DISCInfo program.
- Within the program, click View > Capabilities Info. This will tell you which of the main disc types your drive supports – DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R or DVD-RW.
What can I do with a DVD burner?
DVDs are useful for storing and transferring files – digital photos, for instance – from one PC to another. Or you can use your own camcorder footage to create discs that can be played in a normal DVD player.
How do I set up my DVD burner?
DVD burners will be supplied with the necessary software to get you up and running. However, many will work immediately simply by connecting them to the desktop computer or laptop. Check the documentation that’s supplied for more details.
What software should I use for burning DVDs?
Most DVD burners come with some software included. This is usually a cut-down version of a commercial package – the manufacturers hope you’ll be tempted to pay for the full version. This software is often pretty good, and may well be all you need to get going.
And if you’re using Windows Vista, you may already have the capability you need built into the operating system.
Check out our reviews of DVD burning software for more information.