CD-RW drives can write to CD recording media only (including high-speed CD-RW) while DVD-writable drives can write to both CD and DVD recording media.
Use blank CD-Rs to record music or permanently store data files. After creating a CD-R, you cannot write to that CD-R again (see the Sonic documentation for more information). Use blank CD-RWs to write to CDs or to erase, rewrite, or update data on CDs.
Blank DVD+/-Rs can be used to permanently store large amounts of information. After you create a DVD+/-R disc, you may not be able to write to that disc again if the disc is "finalized" or "closed" during the final stage of the disc creation process. Use blank DVD+/-RWs if you plan to erase, rewrite, or update information on that disc later.
CD-Writable Drives
Media Type | Read | | Write | | Rewritable | |
| | | | | | |
CD-R | Yes | | Yes | | No | |
| | | | | | |
CD-RW | Yes | | Yes | | Yes | |
| | | | | | |
DVD-Writable Drives | | |
| | | |
Media Type | Read | Write | Rewritable |
| | | |
CD-R | Yes | Yes | No |
| | | |
CD-RW | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| | | |
DVD+R | Yes | Yes | No |
| | | |
DVD-R | Yes | Yes | No |
| | | |
DVD+RW | Yes | Yes | Yes |
DVD-RW | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| | | |
DVD+R DL | Yes | Yes | No |
| | | |
DVD-R DL | Maybe | No | No |
| | | |
DVD-RAM | Maybe | No | No |
| | | | | | |
Helpful Tips
•Use Microsoft® Windows® Explorer to drag and drop files to a CD-R or CD-RW only after you start Sonic DigitalMedia and open a DigitalMedia project.
•Use CD-Rs to burn music CDs that you want to play in regular stereos. CD-RWs do not play in most home or car stereos.
•You cannot create audio DVDs with Sonic DigitalMedia.
•Music MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players or on computers that have MP3 software installed.
•Commercially available DVD players used in home theater systems may not support all available DVD formats. For a list of formats supported by your DVD player, see the documentation provided with your DVD player or contact the manufacturer.
•Do not burn a blank CD-R or CD-RW to its maximum capacity; for example, do not copy a 650-MB file to a blank 650-MB CD. The CD-RW drive needs 1–2 MB of the blank space to finalize the recording.
•Use a blank CD-RW to practice CD recording until you are familiar with CD recording techniques. If you make a mistake, you can erase the data on the CD-RW and try again. You can also use blank CD-RWs to test music file projects before you record the project permanently to a blank CD-R.
•See the Sonic website at www.sonic.com for additional information.
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device
NOTE: Video and audio cables for connecting your computer to a TV or other audio device are not included with your computer and are not available in certain countries. If available in your country, cables may be purchased at most consumer electronics stores or from Dell.
Your computer has an S-video TV-out connector that, together with a standard S-video cable (available from Dell), enables you to connect the computer to a TV.
1S-video TV-out connector
2standard S-video cable connector
Your TV has either an S-video input connector or a composite video-input connector. Depending on what type of connector is available on your TV, you can use a commercially available S-video cable or composite video cable to connect your computer to your TV.
