I have a Samsung DVD recorder is not initializing to format

dvd are read only.
dvd-r; dvd+r and dvd-rw are the re-writeable discs. mostly once only.

DVD Media Formats Explained
There are many different types of writable and rewritable DVD media on the market today. These formats include:

• DVD-RAM
• DVD-R
• DVD-RW
• DVD+R
• DVD+RW

There are also "General Purpose" and "Authoring" discs. DO NOT confuse the "Authoring" media with the term for content development (making / editing what eventually goes on the DVD). The most common type of DVDR is the General Purpose type - if you do not know that you have an actual authoring recorder drive then you most likely have the general purpose type.

DVD-R is a write-once recordable format which allows excellent compatibility with both standalone DVD-video players and DVD-ROM drives. There are two main types of 4.7GB DVD-R discs: DVD-R for General Use and DVD-R for Authoring. Most consumer drives use the former cheaper General Use discs, while many higher end professional drives use Authoring discs. The correct media type appropriate for the drive must be used when burning. However, once burned, the discs should be able to be read in either drive type. (General Use DVD-Rs are designed to prevent backup of encrypted commercial DVDs).

DVD-RW uses rewritable discs which are rated at more than 1000 rewrites in ideal situations. Unfortunately, DVD-RW does not enjoy the same excellent compatibility with DVD-ROM drives and standalone DVD-Video players that DVD-R enjoys. Another drawback is that unlike DVD-RAM, one must generally erase a DVD-RW disc before reuse.

Most DVD-RW drives should also be able to record to DVD-R. However, the reverse is not true. Many older and some current DVD-R drives are not capable of writing to DVD-RW discs (but may be able to read burned DVD-RW discs). Some drives can also record to CD-R and CD-RW.

Currently DVD-RW and DVD-R are most popular in the multimedia market as well as the general consumer market. For instance the Apple SuperDrive, found in higher end Mac computers used in multimedia creation, is simply a DVD-R/DVD-RW (and CD-R/CD-RW) capable drive.

DVD+RW, like DVD-RW, is a rewritable 4.7GB DVD format. DVD+RW, however, in some ways offers some technical advantages, which for example include: lossless linking (which in turn more readily allows editing of a disc's contents after an initial write while maintaining integrity of the remaining data), currently slightly faster recording speeds, and optional future Mount Rainier drag-and-drop file access support (also known as DVD+MRW). However, DVD+RW does not have the very high compatibility with standalone DVD-video players and DVD-ROM drives that the DVD-R format enjoys. The level of compatibility of DVD+RW is said to be similar to that of DVD-RW. Also, DVD+RW does not currently have the same level of market acceptance as DVD-R.

DVD+R is a format that only was introduced to the public very recently (early 2002). DVD+R is a write-once 4.7GB format which promises to dramatically increase the compatibility with standalone DVD-Video players and DVD-ROM drives. Whether that claim is fulfilled remains to be seen, but initial reports have been very positive. It must be noted, however, that 1st generation DVD+RW drives do not support DVD+R burning, and it is likely that most cannot be upgraded to do so either. If one wishes to have DVD+R burning functionality, one must purchase a newer drive specifically designed to do so. DVD+R discs currently are somewhat more expensive than DVD-R discs, but prices will likely drop with time. Burners that write to these discs is the HPDVD100i and the DVD-Writer DVD200i drive

Thanks to www.AnandTech.com for this helpful information AnandTech Home

Do you mean it won't format/initialize the disc? Alternative possible problem, when you put in a disc, does it not recognize that a blank disc is in the unit? Only DVD-RAM discs need formatting. DVD-RW discs need to be initialized. DVD-R disc do not need either formatting or initializing. (This unit does not write to DVD+R or DVD+RW discs.)

In the case of DVD-RW discs that can't be initialized. Check if this has already been done (or if you need to unfinalize the disc).

If the new disc is not being recognized as a blank disc, the recorder may not be recognizing the disc (dirt, scratches or manufacturing issue) or the recorder is not focusing on the disc properly. In the first case, clean the disc or try a different type of disc (Samsung claims that their discs will be most compatible). In the second case, the unit may need service.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(usually tracking and focus problems will be seen on both recording and playback (even with commercial discs).)

Hey,
Maybe the format of your recorded movie didnt support your player..check out your manual for the supported formats and check the format of your recorded movie.If any of the format in the manual matches your movie format then it will definitely play..
please rate my suggestion..

the best format to buy is the DVD-R but make sure your disc has been finalised if you reinsert your disc on the functions screen you should see finalise this is essential for compatible playback hope this helps regards Jim

Sony is not a good brand for buying DVD's. One option for you with the sony discs will be to try it in a computer and see whether it reads the disc. Also you can try using formatting using a software program like nero and see whether the samsung can recognize the disc.
Next time buy good quality discs...look up some reviews on the net.

Its because you need a firmware update. The media you are currently using isn't recognized. I stumbled in here with the same problem. I haven't been able to find an update, so I will probably have to try a different brand of disc myself. The burner worked fine until I tried using a new pack of Verbatim discs.

Did the sales guy use the same DVD-RW that you did? Maybe the brand you are using is not of good quality and can not be recognized by the recorder. If he did not use the same disc did you notice if he used DVD-RW or DVD+RW? Some DVD-Recorders only recognize one or the other but this is kind of rare these days. I recommend verbatim brand discs. They should be available for sale at any shop. If you want the ultimate in quality DVDs then go with Taiyo Yuden. This Japanese brand invented recordable media and in addition to that they are obsessed with quality. www.supermediastore.com is always where I get my discs.

Thanks for reading!
Hope this was helpful

I bought DVD-R 1-16xspeed made by TDK which work fine.... it seems to be a bit of a mine field of discs available but I do remember these were recommended by Samsung via a leaflet in the box.

Most DVD players can't play DVD-R or DVD-RW unless it's finalized (if you record to DVD+RW, it may work ok, but fewer DVD players work right with RW format discs).

Obviously, you need to ensure you are actually writing to the DVD (eg, will they play back on the camcorder). You should see if there's a menu for finalizing the DVDs, that might do it. There are occasionally problems with finalizing discs on some of these DVD camcorders... these discs may not be readable on any DVD player, but might still work in a PC.

The other problem is that some camcoders record in DVD-VR format, which is a special "easily edited" format for DVD camcorders only... regular DVD players don't usually support this (well, some new ones might... this is one of those "evolving standard" issues). You'll probably need a PC to read the disc, edit, convert to a conventional DVD, etc. if you're using this format. 

My recorder has stopped accepting NEW DVD-RW discs and ejects them.
There is no problem loading DVD-R (new or recorded)or loading previous recorded DVD-RW, initializing and re-recording
I have tried several different DVD-RW makes. Puzzling??