HP dv4-2045dx manual Selecting the right disc, CD-R discs

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Selecting the right disc

An optical drive supports optical discs (CDs and DVDs). CDs, used to store digital data, are also used for commercial audio recordings and are convenient for your personal storage needs. DVDs are used primarily for movies, software, and data backup purposes. DVDs are the same form factor as CDs but have 6 to 7 times the 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

Keeping permanent archives of computer files and scanned home records

Offloading files from your hard drive to free up disk space

After data is recorded, it cannot be erased or written over.

CD-RW discs

Use a CD-RW disc (a rewritable version of a CD) to store large projects that must be updated frequently. Typical uses include the following:

Developing and maintaining large documents and project files

Transporting work files

Making weekly backups of hard drive files

Updating photos, video, audio, and data continuously

DVD±R discs

Use blank DVD±R discs to permanently store large amounts of information. After data is recorded, it cannot be erased or written over.

DVD±RW discs

Use DVD±RW discs if you want to be able to erase or write over data that you saved earlier. This type of disc is ideal for testing audio or video recordings before you burn them to a CD or DVD that cannot be changed.

16 Chapter 5 Optical drive

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Contents Multimedia Product notice Table of contents Troubleshooting Multimedia features Identifying your multimedia components Component DescriptionUsing the MediaSmart button select models only Adjusting the volume Using the media activity hotkeys Using HP MediaSmart software Multimedia softwareUsing other preinstalled multimedia software Installing multimedia software from a discAudio Connecting external audio devices Checking your audio functionsConnecting an external monitor or projector VideoConnecting an Hdmi device Configuring audio for Hdmi Watching TV select models onlyPage Identifying the installed optical drive Optical driveUsing optical discs DVD±RW/RSelecting the right disc CD-R discsLightScribe DVD+R discs Playing music Watching a movie Changing DVD region settings Creating or burning a CD or DVD Removing an optical disc CD or DVD Webcam Troubleshooting Optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD orComputer does not detect the optical drive Disc does not playDisc does not play automatically DVD movie stops, skips, or plays erraticallyDVD movie is not visible on an external display Device driver must be reinstalled Obtaining the latest HP device drivers Index DVD