# Toshiba DVD recorder problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 15, 2014, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toshiba-dvd-recorder-problem/678862 "2014-01-15T11:06:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bmasters1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@bmasters1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmasters1)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toshiba-dvd-recorder-problem/678862/1 "2014-01-15T11:06:54Z")
I’ve got a problem: I have a Toshiba DVD recorder (I think it’s a DR430 model), and I am allowed to record on old discs that have been used over and over again, but when I put in a fresh disc, it rejects it and has an error message. The discs I’m using (old and new) are Memorex DVD+RW. Why will it let me record on used discs, but reject new ones? What could be my problem? ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toshiba-dvd-recorder-problem/678862/2 "2014-01-15T12:26:18Z")
New discs not formatted properly? ---
**Author:** ![bmasters1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@bmasters1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmasters1)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toshiba-dvd-recorder-problem/678862/3 "2014-01-15T12:44:59Z")
> [@racer72](#): > > New discs not formatted properly? It won’t even let me format them! It tries to format the new disc, and that’s when the error message comes up. ---
**Author:** ![williamweigand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b3f665/32.png) [@williamweigand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/williamweigand)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toshiba-dvd-recorder-problem/678862/4 "2014-01-15T12:57:27Z")
If it’s anything like my Toshiba DVD recorder you have to use DVD-RW discs. It’s the only kind that, AFAIK, can be recorded on over and over. I’ve mistakenly bought DVD+RW discs, once or twice. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toshiba-dvd-recorder-problem/678862/5 "2014-01-15T13:18:50Z")
it might have trouble with a particular batch of a brand. off load your discs that are working, mark them as good, use them. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toshiba-dvd-recorder-problem/678862/6 "2014-01-15T13:41:26Z")
> [@williamweigand](#): > > If it’s anything like my Toshiba DVD recorder you have to use DVD-RW discs. It’s the only kind that, AFAIK, can be recorded on over and over. I’ve mistakenly bought DVD+RW discs, once or twice. No, both DVD-RW and DVD+RW can be recorded on repeatedly. It’s DVD-R and DVD+R that are single-use. The difference between the - and + formats is [more technical](http://www.askdavetaylor.com/whats_the_difference_between_dvdr_dvdr_dvdrw_dvdrw_and_dvdram/), but basically the + format is newer, and some older DVD recorders don’t like them. ---
**Author:** ![bmasters1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@bmasters1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmasters1)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2014, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toshiba-dvd-recorder-problem/678862/7 "2014-01-16T11:02:29Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > No, both DVD-RW and DVD+RW can be recorded on repeatedly. It’s DVD-R and DVD+R that are single-use. > > The difference between the - and + formats is [more technical](http://www.askdavetaylor.com/whats_the_difference_between_dvdr_dvdr_dvdrw_dvdrw_and_dvdram/), but basically the + format is newer, and some older DVD recorders don’t like them. That’s what we found out, the hard way. Fortunately, we got a pack of the DVD-RWs yesterday at the Radio Shack; we tried one, and it worked. So, in essence, you’re right-- problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toshiba-dvd-recorder-problem/678862/8 "2014-01-16T23:57:23Z")
Just curious, given how cheap that single use DVD-R discs are why even bother with the reusable DVD-RWs? I haven’t bought one of those in like 15 years!