which DVD recorder format should I buy...? DVD+R DVD-R what...? what is going to play the burned DVD on my home stereo DVD player...? Help... to many standards...

all depends on how much money you have to spend. go for the gold get the best out there sony makes a very fine one and so does panasonic.

the -r format appears to be the format that is going to become the standard. Seems like the VHS v's Beta format in VCR's. the Beta format was the better format but was more expensive so VHS won the battle. It seems from what I read the +r fomat is the better format but -R is cheaper and seems to be winning. AFAIK - Sony make a drive that is -r-rw +r+rw so you have both formats but as expected, the drive costs more. I do not know the model number. The short answer   -R HTH

The SONY DRU-510a is about $330 from Tech Depot. It can use all the popular dvd formats, and is rated #1 by PC World and some other websites. The Pioneer Drive is used by APPLE in their MAC computers. APPLE then calls it the super-drive, but it cannot handle all the dvd formats like the SONY. Take care and all the best!

THe dual format (DVD+R RW -R RW) is definately the best way to go. You can then pick the cheapest media every time you need media. There are currently many different companies selling the dual format drives. Sony, LiteON, NEC, Cendyne. I personally prefer the Sony or LiteOn. They are both available from newegg.com. The Liteon is selling for $290 and is supposed to be the same drive as the Sony which sells for more. The NEC goes for around $249 at newegg but I think it is OEM. Make your own choice but the dual format appears to be the winner!

Hi Michael. The Sony DVD burner comes as an internal and external version. The external is USB 2.0 / Firewire and about $399.00 in stores. Do a search and you will find lower prices for both versions. The internal version is less. Having the option to burn either -R or +R or -RW or +RW allows you to switch to the other type of disk if one doesn't work on your desktop DVD player. They also burn CDs. Here is Sony's site with the DVD descriptions. http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start;sid=VaOEfHbKA1WEfEgU0KyOdznHMASevFBEoyg=?CatalogCategoryID=2DoKC0%2eN9SQAAAD1dilin4zn&Dept=cpu Take care, Linda