Read and Burn With a DVD Drive
While all computers and laptops have a hard disk drive used for storage, some also come with an optical drive that you can use to play a CD or read a DVD. Dell DVD drives are compatible with Dell desktops and laptops, which run on a Windows operating system. They are compatible with a range of different disc formats and can be upgraded to incorporate Blu-ray media technology.
What Is a DVD RW Drive?
With different types of computer drives on the market, it can be confusing to know what each drive does and which one will work for you. A DVD RW is an optical drive normally located on the front upper portion of a desktop computer or along the side of the base of a laptop.
- While you use a hard drive for storage, a DVD RW optical drive reads a CD or DVD. DVD RW stands for DVD Re-Writable, which means it will not only accept, but also burn, CDs and DVDs, as well as erase them.
- A DVD RW is compatible with CD-R and CD-RW CD formats, as well as DVD-R and DVD-RW disc types.
Which Types of DVD RW Drives Are Available?
There are generally two different types of DVD RW drives—a DVD-RW and a DVD+RW.
- A DVD-RW can only burn DVDs to a depth of one layer and has a lower storage capacity.
- A DVD+RW can burn DVDs to a depth of two layers, and therefore, has a larger storage capacity.
What Should You Consider When Buying a New DVD RW Drive?
It’s important when purchasing a new or replacement DVD RW drive that you buy one that’s compatible with your Windows desktop computer or laptop model, so check the model number before purchase.
- When buying a new or replacement DVD RW drive, always compare the read and write speeds, which will tell you how long the drive will take to read and write various different forms of media. Most new models will read a CD or DVD at 16x and write at up to 24x, with the numbers indicating how much faster it will operate compared to a 1x drive.
- Blu-ray is a form of disc storage on the market favored by many for its large storage capabilities and image quality when compared to DVDs. Installing a Blu-ray drive will allow you to watch Blu-ray HD movies and read data discs that use a Blu-ray format, as well as read a regular CD or DVD.