How to Identify DVD-5 and DVD-R

by Stephen Lilley
DVDs may look the same but may be quite different.

DVDs may look the same but may be quite different.

DVD image by vashistha pathak from Fotolia.com

Not all DVDs are created equal. A DVD-5 is a standard, read-only DVD. This disc can hold 4.7 GB of data, which is a drastic improvement over the 700 to 800 MB capacity of a standard CD. A DVD-R is a recordable disc that can hold up to 4.7 GB of data. You can burn content on this disc using a standard DVD burner.

Step 1

Hold the DVD in your hand, with the label side of the disc facing up.

Step 2

Look on the disc's label for the "DVD-R" logo. If this logo is present, you are holding a DVD-R disc. If the label side of your disc is blank, look on the oroginal product packaging.

Step 3

Look on the disc label for the "dual layer" logo. If the disc is not writable, it is not a DVD-R. If the disc is single layered (meaning the "DL" logo is not present on the label), then you are holding a DVD-5. If the label side of your disc is blank, look on the original packaging.

About the Author

Stephen Lilley is a freelance writer who hopes to one day make a career writing for film and television. His articles have appeared on a variety of websites. Lilley holds a Bachelor of Arts in film and video production from the University of Toledo in Ohio.

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