Difference beween CD-R and CD-RW?

[KRAMER]

What's the difference between CD-R and CD-RW media? I've seen these, but never really new what it meant. And since I just picked up a read-write cdrom, I thought I had better find out. Thanks.

[catcow]

CD-R disk's can only be written to once and once they have been the data cannot be changed or deleted but CD-RW disks can be written to over and over again much like a floppy disk or hard disk drive.

[Ptrper]

I think that a with a CD-R, you can only record onto it, and with the CD-RW, you can burn onto it and erase whatever is on it...

[codybear]

here ya go http://www.cdrom-guide.com/cgi/Ultimate.cgi


the above replies are correct and this link is for those of us with cd burners and questions..

[madthumbs]

holes are burned in cdr (they cannot be filled). on cdrw, the recording substance is altered (crystallized i think) and can be reversed. some cd players will not play cdrw's because they are different like this.

[Warthog]

And...uhhhhh...make sure you have a CD-RW drive first. Regular CD-ROM drive won't work whatesoever with those cds (as far as adding information goes).

Warthog

[Wilan Wong]

Some of the burners can only write on CD-R media while some can write on both. CD-R is a writable CD that can only be written once and you cannot delete it once you place data on it. CD-RW is a re-writable CD that can be written about 1,000 times then it goes away... That means you can't write a CD-RW forever... like a hard drive. But 1,000 times is plenty! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[goombaz]

Hi. I have been trying to burn CDRWs and everything says it works--but when I go to play it I have no sound. It appears to be playing--and it does play in my other (newer) computer--but not this one or any of my 3 stereos. Any ideas? Should I try a different software? or is my burner just a waste of my cash? I hate to burn CDRs as seem to make mostly coasters or frisbees. Help!!!! Mary Jane

[Szech]

CD-RWs will not play in stereos. The material used in them is not reflective enough for the stereo to pick up. You can play CD-Rs in stereos, though, since the material used in CD-Rs has a lot higher reflectivity than CD-RWs. CD-RWs are strictly for computers.

And what's this problem you seem to be having with your CD-Rs? coasters and frisbees? What program are you using? Anyway, I would suggest that you close ALL other programs, and don't run ANYTHING else when you're burning a CD. And don't bump the computer, or the laser will skip.

Happy burning http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[goombaz]

thanks so much for the info. Where did youfind out about stereos not reading CDRWs? I had no clue--of course I can't seem to keep up with anything anymore http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif
Mary Jane

[hd581]

Can you write to a CDRW and read it in a regular CDROM? If so, what program let's you do this?

[daveleau]

You can only read a CD-RW in a Multi-Read CD-ROM (usuallt the front of a MR cd-rom has an icon ont he front of the tray that says it is MR). Otherwise, a cd-rw cannot be read anywhere except in the burner itself. CD-RW's are not very good for music or transfering files.
Dave

[Rickee]

It's kinda odd that CD-RW's won't work on stereos but are more successful on DVD's players. I have a Panasonic DVD and it will not play CD-R's but CD-RW's.

[Warthog]

For my CD-RW disks to work on someone elses computer, I have to first install a tiny piece of software that lets it read the CD-RW.

Warthog