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A DVD burner is and easy way to back up files or transfer them. If you’ve bought a DivX DVD player to watch downloaded shows on your TV then you’ll need a burner too.

It is REALLY easy to do. First, check what you already have. If you have a DVD drive that reads CDs too and you have another slot below that drive to add another, then all you need is a DVD burner. If there is only room for one drive then you’ll need a DVD burner that also reads CDs. If you don’t fancy opening up your computer then you’ll need an external DVD burner.

DVD burners are called DVD-RW drives. They are almost always covered with weird numbers like 16x or 48x. These refer to how quickly it can read and write various discs. Unfortunately there are actually loads of different DVD discs, but thankfully modern DVD writers will work with all of them, so the 6 pack of DVD discs at the Poundshop will work!

Quick note about writing speeds: try and get one that writes to DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD-R and DVD+R at a speed of at least 16x. If it can’t do it for all types then that’s ok, but if it’s less than 8x then it’s going to take ages to burn a DVD!

Once you’ve made your choice then you simply take out your existing drive and add the new one. If you are adding the drive alongside your existing one then look at the cables stuck in the back of the existing drive. There will be more plugs on the same cable that you can fit onto your new drive, so that it is connected with your existing one. This is a little more difficult than simply replacing a drive so don’t do this unless you can follow the manufacturer’s advice on setting the drive as a slave or secondary drive.

Ensure you get a DVD with burning software (e.g. Nero). Unlike CD burners and floppy drives you cannot add a file using cut and paste, you need burning software.

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