Using optical discs (CDs, DVDs, and BDs)
An optical drive, such as a DVD-ROM drive, supports optical discs (CDs and DVDs). These discs
store information, such as music, photos, and movies. DVDs have a higher storage capacity than
CDs.
Your optical drive can read standard CD and DVD discs. If your optical drive is a Blu-ray Disc (BD)
drive, it can also read BDs.
NOTE: Some of the optical drives listed may not be supported by your computer. The listed drives
are not necessarily all of the supported optical drives.
Some optical drives can also write to optical discs, as described in the following table.
Optical drive type Write to CD-
RW
Write to
DVD±RW/
R
Write to DVD±R DL Write label to
LightScribe CD or
DVD ±RW/R
Write to BD R/RE
DVD-ROM Drive No No No No No
DVD±R SuperMulti DL
LightScribe Drive*
†
Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Blu-ray ROM DVD±R
SuperMulti DL Drive*
Yes Yes Yes No No
Blu-ray R/RE DVD+/-
RW SuperMulti DL
Drive*
Yes Yes Yes No Yes
*Double-layer discs can store more data than single-layer discs. However, double-layer discs burned with this drive may not
be compatible with many single-layer DVD drivers and players.
†
LightScribe discs must be purchased separately. LightScribe creates a grayscale image similar to black-and-white
photography.
CAUTION: To prevent possible audio and video degradation, loss of information, or loss of audio or
video playback functionality, do not initiate Sleep or Hibernation while reading a CD, DVD, or BD, or
writing to a CD or DVD.
Selecting the right disc (CDs, DVDs, and BDs)
An optical drive supports optical discs (CDs, DVDs, and BDs). CDs, used to store digital data, are
also used for commercial audio recordings and are convenient for your personal storage needs.
DVDs and BDs are used primarily for movies, software, and data backup purposes. DVDs and BDs
are the same form factor as CDs, but have a much higher storage capacity.
NOTE: The optical drive on your computer may not support all the types of optical discs discussed
in this section.
CD-R discs
Use CD-R (write-once) discs to create permanent archives and to share files with virtually anyone.
Typical uses include the following:
●
Distributing large presentations
●
Sharing scanned and digital photos, video clips, and written data
●
Making your own music CDs
Optical drive 39
