what type of DVD do i need for my laptop?

Question

I have an HP4030us (bought it in 2005) and I believe it has this LightScribe Technology. I also have a DVD recorder that I use with my tivo. I popped one of those DVDs in and it doesn't appear my laptop will write on it as it appears not to even recognize that it's inserted. Do I need to buy LightScribe DVDs ONLY for this laptop? Besides being able to make labels ON the DVD itself, is it a different type of DVD altogether than the type I use to record TV shows? Is it a data DVD? I know i need to use DATA CDs in the laptop to record music on them, the type I use in my stand-alone CD recorder don't work. So, I'm assuming I need DATA DVDs as well. Do they HAVE to be LightScribe DVDs?

I know this is alot of questions within a question. Any and all help will be appreciated greatly. Thank you.

Answer 1

First, you do not have to have light scribe DVDs and they are very expensive. You need a DVD-, as that is what most of the current writers require. I accidentally bought some DVD+, but they are useless. The disks are readily available, but most burners are for (-) only.
Regarding the labels, there are several cheap programs that you can buy for about $12 and it is a starter pack with the software. Not to hard to learn. On DVDs you can make write data or music. The program will ask you.