Play DVD recordable media in home DVD player?

Infopackets Readers Joel and Barbara G. write:

" Hi Dennis!

We read every issue of the newsletter and have got some very good tips and help. I have a question about DVD discs. I see that there many different types DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD RAM, and DVD RW. I am new to DVD burning and don't know which of the R types to use, the + or the -? I'm planning to copy all my old camcorder tapes to DVD so that I can play them on my home DVD player. What can you suggest? PS: Thanks for the great newsletters. "

My response:

Recall: As I mentioned in Saturday's newsletter, DVD media (+R or -R) can be played in most home DVD players.

According to the rep at a local computer store, DVD-R is the most widely supported DVD media for DVD players -- but that doesn't necessarily mean that *your* DVD player will play DVD-R media.

To determine which media type(s) are compatible with your DVD recorder, check your owners manual. After that, you'll need to establish which DVD media is compatible with your home DVD player -- unfortunately, this piece of information will most likely not be present in your DVD player manual, as DVD recordable media is still a fairly new technology.

To test which media type will work with your home DVD player, do a "test burn" using DVD mastering software (like DVD X Maker or DVD X Copy). When the disc is complete, pop it into your home DVD player to see if it plays.