I searched the site, but could’nt find a thread so I will now ask the question.
What is the difference between a CD-R and a CDR-W?
Which is the best for burning CDs off Napster files?
CD-R = CD recordable - Can only be used once
CD-RW = CD ReWriteable - Can be used over and over agian. Note: CD-RW do not work in a lot on Non Computer -CD Players.
I would use CD-Rs just becuase most CD Players can read them.
If you are asking which disk media to use a CDR disk is less expensive and more reliably read by most CD players.
If you are asking which type of CD recorder to get, a CDRW or CDR, get the CDRW. CDR only recording units are pretty rare nowdays anyway, almost everything (that I’ve seen at retail) is CDRW.
See two good places (there are many)
http://www.onsale.com
http://www.necxdirect.com
http://www.streetprices.com will let you compare prices
More than you ever needed to know: CD-Recordable FAQ
If you’re wanting to get a drive, definitely get a CD-RW drive. CD-RW drives can write to both CD-R (CD-recordable, or non-overwritable) and CD-RW (rewritable CDs). Then, for most things, like burning audio CDs, write to a CD-R disk. For storing non-essential data that you don’t really want mucking up your hard drive, buy a couple of CD-RW disks that you can put stuff on.
The two different types of disks are made out of different materials, and store data either by chemical reaction with the laser light or by burning holes in a thin layer of metal in the disk. The amount of light reflected off of the disk can vary, and the reflectivity of CD-RW disks is very low compared to CD-R, which is why CD-RW disks can rarely be read by ordinary CD players and drives. Overall, I would recommend the CD-RW drive, although most often you would want to use CD-R disks (for compatibility). But it’s nice to have the option to have CDs on which you can store and overwrite data, also.
Sheesh, those streetprices are terrible. Try http://www.pricewatch.com. The interface is not as nice, but the prices are better.