Imation

So you are not a serious techie, who cares? Here's a quick guide to help you make sense of it all.

DVD-R: The most universal of recordable DVD formats used by DVD burners and many DVRs. DVD-R is a write-once format, much like CD-R, and discs made in this format can be played in most current DVD players. Data is stored permanently and can not be erased.
DVD-RW: Recordable and rewritable format (like CD-RW). Discs are playable in most DVD players, provided they are recorded in the straight video mode and finalized. Disc can be rewritten as needed.
DVD+RW: Recordable and rewritable format. Is claimed to offer a greater degree of compatibility with current DVD technology than DVD-RW. Disc can be rewritten as needed.
DVD+R: A record-once format introduced recently that is claimed to be easier to use than DVD-R, while still playable in most current DVD players. Data is stored permanently and can not be erased.
DVD-RAM: Recordable and rewritable format which is not compatible with current DVD technology and is not compatible with most DVD-ROM computer drives; least compatible with consumer players and DVD-ROM drives.
Double Layer DVD: Available in recordable and rewritable format, Double Layer (DL) media provides twice the capacity of conventional DVD discs using two thin embedded organic dye films. Note that only DVD burners with dual layer compatibility are able to burn the Dual Layer media. Check your burner manufacturer for details regarding available upgrades to burn Dual Layer media.
Printable DVD: Recordable and rewritable format media which allows you print label designs directly to the surface of the media once your data is recorded. With inkjet or thermal media and special inkjet or thermal printers, you can create high-quality, custom-printed duplicate, or screen print designs.

A few words about DVD devices:

There is no guarantee that any DVD you make with your DVR or DVD burner will play in all DVD players. Whether or not you can play a DVD you have made on most current DVD players (manufactured within the last three years) will depend mostly on the format used in recording the DVD.
A DVD recorder (DVR) is a standalone unit that resembles and functions very much like a VCR. All DVD recorders have AV inputs as well as an onboard TV tuner for recording TV shows. They differ from PC-DVD 'burners' hooked up to your computer in that a burner can record video, but can also read and write computer data.
In order to record video and audio onto a PC-DVD burner, video must be put on your computer's hard drive using cable hookups from the source through a video card. The content is then copied from the hard drive onto a blank DVD disc. With a DVR, you can record from video sources in real time, straight to a blank DVD. While certain burners will allow direct burns, this is not a feature universal to PC-attached units.
If you've got an older player or burner, here are a few things to do to reduce incompatibility:

Read the manual for each player and burner to find out what media it will accept.
Experiment with media from your burner in your player.
Check with your friends and relatives about their players if you hope to share content with them.

Remember: The most important element of your DVD system is the ability to burn, play, and share the content you want. Spending a few minutes reading manuals, Web sites, and specifications before making a purchase will save you time — and frustration — later.