# Do they still make blank 3.95GB DVD-R discs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 1, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-blank-3-95gb-dvd-r-discs/315206 "2005-08-01T21:54:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-blank-3-95gb-dvd-r-discs/315206/1 "2005-08-01T21:54:41Z")
In [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=328038) thread I lamented the fact that a newly-burned DVD-R disc that a friend made me won’t play on my 1999-era personal computer. Well, after hunting around the web I found out that my PC’s DVD drive won’t play today’s 4.7GB DVD-R discs; _it only can play 3.95 GB discs_. Where can I get such an animal? An unsuccessful search of major electronics websites leads me to believe that I’m looking for, in essence, the Dodo bird of DVD-R discs. And even if I were to find one, would my friend’s (modern) burner recognize it, and burn it in such a way that my PC could read it? My web research led me to believe that there are inherent differences between 3.95 and 4.7 GB discs, besides just capacity. Please advise. Thanks all, in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2005, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-blank-3-95gb-dvd-r-discs/315206/2 "2005-08-01T22:37:54Z")
Yes they do. [CD-DVD-Supplies.com](http://cd-dvd-supplies.com/cgi-bin/smart_cart2.cgi?category=3.95%20auth%20dvd%20media&submit_request_button=yes&sc_db_max_rows_returned=25&cart_id=unknown.none.9903708_19020) has them. I’ve bought from them several times and have never had a problem. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2005, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-blank-3-95gb-dvd-r-discs/315206/3 "2005-08-01T23:00:14Z")
Damn. For the price of ten of those discs, you could buy a brand new DVD-ROM drive and still have $40 left over! :eek: That’s probably what you should do. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2005, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-blank-3-95gb-dvd-r-discs/315206/4 "2005-08-01T23:07:22Z")
> [@neutron star](#): > > Damn. For the price of ten of those discs, you could buy a brand new DVD-ROM drive and still have $40 left over! :eek: > > That’s probably what you should do. I didn’t say they were cheap. 🙂 Yeah, I’d go with a new burner that can do dual-layer. Dual layer discs are still a little pricey, but at least you’ll be ready. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2005, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-blank-3-95gb-dvd-r-discs/315206/5 "2005-08-02T00:31:57Z")
:: nods :: Definitely, get a new burner. They’re inexpensive. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2005, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-blank-3-95gb-dvd-r-discs/315206/6 "2005-08-02T00:36:32Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > :: nods :: > Definitely, get a new burner. They’re inexpensive. I bought an LG unit because it could read the DVD-RAM discs from my standalone DVD recorder. After over a year’s service and dozens of DVDs & CDs burned it has been flawless. I’m just saying…