DVD media? Dual Layer?

I'm finally getting some DVD media for my z61t and can't remember if the drive I ordered was dual layer or not. And for the life of me I can't figure out how to tell. From parts lookup, I know the MFR# is 39T2678 and the FRU# is 39T2679. Can anyone give me some input on what I know is kind of a ridiculous question?!

And while I'm asking stupid questions, I've never actually had a DVD burner. Any recommendations on +R vs -R media? What what brand media are people using? If I do have a double-layer burner, can I used double layer discs to burn videos for a standard DVD player?

Thanks for the help.

 

Well that I can answer. Yes you can as long as you burn it as a video dvd.

 

...the only difference would just be the "amount" of DVD playback content you could burn, correct?

 

Nero has a built in program I believe called DriveInfo or InfoTool, it should be able to tell you if it can do dual layer. If your laptop is fairly new, though, it probably is a dual layer.

 

I am not an expert on this, but a while ago, weren't there a lot of buzz about computer grade dual layer DVD discs couldn't be played in a lot of standalone DVD players? Unless before burning the disc, you fiddle with your DVD burning program to set some info on the disc to 0, so the standalone DVD player will recognize the burned disc as a DVD video disc and not a computer DVD disc.

 

waste of money to be burning on dual layer discs IMO but to each his own

 

For practical purposes, there isn't much difference between +R and -R. I personally use +R, but -R works just as well. The quality of the media is probably more important. Taiyo Yudens are widely considered to be the best blank discs. Verbatims are usually a good second choice. For dual layer discs, Verbatims are the only way to go. If you have a T43 or higher more than likely it is a dual layer burner. I would agree unless you have a specific need dual layer discs are too expensive for every day use, assuming you don't have a trust fund.

Lastly, most laptop burners are OK burners. If you plan to do a lot of burning, an external desktop drive will offer better quality and speed.

 

There is only one difference between +R and -R
-R is seems to be more compatible with different devices than +R.
Let's say you can burn DVD and watch it on different DVD players

 

This is only true if you have an older DVD player, like at least five years old. Most newer DVD players will play both. Some DVD+R burners have the capability to mark the burned disc as a DVD-ROM making them nearly 100% compatible. You see this mostly on desktop drives though some laptop drives can do it on DL media.