The main difference between DVD+/-R and DVD+/-RW is that the R is a write-once format. Data can be burned on the DVD only once. On the other hand, an RW disc can be erased and rewritten hundreds of times.

Comparison chart

DVD-R versus DVD-RW comparison chart
Edit this comparison chartDVD-RDVD-RW
Layers Both single and dual layer DVD-R discs are available but there is less variety in the marketplace for double layer DVD-R discs compared to DVD+R. Single
Pronunciation DVD Dash R DVD Dash R W
Drag & Drop No, not supported. No, not supported.
Backed by DVD Forum (Apple, Pioneer , Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Time Warner etc.) DVD Forum (Apple, Pioneer , Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Time Warner etc.)

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Nick Jasuja

Nick Jasuja has over 15 years of technology industry experience, including at Amazon in Seattle. He is an expert at building websites, developing software programs in PHP and JavaScript, maintaining MySQL and PostgreSQL databases, and running Linux servers for serving high-traffic websites. He has a bachelor's degree in Computer Science & Engineering.

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"DVD-R vs DVD-RW." Diffen.com. Diffen LLC, n.d. Web. 5 Sep 2025. < >