Help! :Writing/backing up to DVD queries (note: I'm a DVD retard, read more inside)

[The Stig]

So over the weekend another family of mine brought some sort of Acer laptop. Not a problem I suppose but he brought the whole thing over for me to set it up, which wasn't very difficult after configuring it/updating it etc.

However I quickly realised in the big box there's not a single CD, and it appears that as expected it's on its own partition (but not hidden, simply the main C drive with a D drive being used for data). Some system pop up (by Acer apps) and asks me to back up my default factory image NOW! I click it and then I quickly realised I can't even write it as an ISO file or image file of some sort, it wants CDs or DVDs.

Now here it says it'll take 13 CDs, so fuck that, but only 2 DVDs, which is better. However, not once in my life have I ever (or needed to) burn stuff to DVD, and I remember back when it first came out drives had stuff like:

DVDRW +
DVDRW +-
DVD±

And assorted DVDs that you had to buy specifically (?) to make it work with the drive.

???

Upon thinking that, it totally confused the hell out of me and I really want to write these files to DVD so if he does anything retarded I can fix it. Sooo, can anyone tell me which DVDs I should buy for my drive which is labelled as:

DVD±R/RW DL (It has blu-ray capabilities too, but I think read only)

The laptop is some sort of slightly above average budget laptop but not the cheapest or the best of the lot. My initial assumption is that DVD is a stable technology now and no matter what laptop I buy with a DVD writer capability all DVDs from shops should work?



EDIT: This site is where my mum works at where she gets quite a bit of discount:

Discs - John Lewis

I've linked to the DVD media page. As described above here's my confusion:

Buy Sony DVD-R Discs, 25DMR47BSP, Pack of 25 online at JohnLewis.com
^ this is the Sony DVD-R discs

Buy TDK DVD+R Discs, Pack of 25 online at JohnLewis.com
^ this is the Sony DVD+R discs

Which one do I need to buy ?? Or does it not matter. I'm not too bothered if it's rewritable or not, just need something real fast to throw a back up image on.

[SephYuyX]

Simply put, - is the older format, + is the newer format. Buy +'s

+'s are more reliable, but really old DVD drives cant read them (pre2004 I think), but you shouldnt have any problem now a days. +'s are also more end user friendly and can be used in standalone DVD players, -'s can not (or are very limited). +'s add alot more stability to -'s.

[The Stig]

Right, thanks a bunch. Gonna get my mum to buy the "+" Sony one 10 or 25 pack tommorow. I only really need 2-3 for backups, and it'll be used for strictly one machine. After that I can get rid of the laptop, it's draining too much time >_<

[Shuemue]

50 pack philips dvd+r 16x speed blank discs: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

£11 delivered, can't go wrong. Order them from CVB Media, I've dealt with them several times.

[The Stig]

Whoa, 50! Nice, I will do that and get it sent to work place.

Also, DVD+R is fine for my "DVD±R/RW DL" drive right? I just need to triple check.

Thanks Shuemue.

[SephYuyX]

DVD±R/RW DL = DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, DVD+RW DL, DVD-RW DL, and same with the different types of CDs. DL = Dual Layer.

[Shuemue]

What Seph is trying to say, is that your drive will handle pretty much all dvd and cd formats, you'll be golden.

[The Stig]

Oh ok, thanks. I just needed double reassurance. Bad experiences with CDs back in the days (and ever since I moved to hard drives, etc for back up) due to how some certain brands don't want to work with my drive (although it's more of the disc issue more than the drive).

Thanks a lot, I'll place an order tommorow and get this over with.

[SephYuyX]

Yeah, crap isnt as picky as it was back in the day.