Are all DVD-Rs the same format?

I tried to do a back-up of my pics on a "100 year archival" DVD and get the error message "this disc not formatted for this drive"

I thought all DVD-Rs were the same. Is this correct?

There are many different problems possible here.

Non-re-writable DVDs come in at least 3 forms, DVD-R, DVD+R and DVD RAM.

My burners are generally sensitive to whether they like -R or +R.

Then we have the issue of re-writable blanks, DVD-RW and DVD+RW.

If you are trying to write to a DVD-R when you are using the software that writes to DVD-RW, then naturally it will refuse.

Not really 100% sure of which of these problem areas you are falling under.

So it is not a hardware problem, it's the program that I am trying to use?

I may be wrong but feel certain that DVD RAM is a re-writable disc.

Make sure you have the current firmware for your DVD burner. They update the burner to add data for different brand discs as well as speed, etc. Your manufacturer may also have a "recommended" DVd brand and type that will burn best on their website.

That depends!
You haven't clarified anything beyond your original post.

The problem can be in hardware or software or both. Your problem is so called compatibility problem. Only the vendor can quickly solve for you.

Guys DVD RAM is most certainly a re-recordable media and is the best of any on the market. The only problem is a lot of drives are not compatible with DVD-RAM.

Did I actually group DVD-RAM in with the non-rewritable media?
Good Heavens! Sorry about that!

I use DVD-RAM for my main archive (incremental) as it is supposed to have a better life expectancy and I use cheap DVD-Rs for a second and third archive (full backup each time) I have an LG drive that handles everything...

Theoretically speaking, you are right. DVD Random Access Memory is of course re-writeable per defination. Access means READ, WRITE, which also implies CODING, DECODING, FORMATING….

In fact, to resolve your question is simple:
(1) Clean your drive. The reader or writer is dust-sensitive.
(2) Make sure your DVDs are nearly dust-free and compatible to Drive/software
In most case, you problem looks like is caused by minor hardware malfunction or software has been infected.

You cannot give that solution without knowing what his drive's capabilities are or what software is being used -- and to this point the OP has not stated such. It could simply be that the media being written to is not supported by the drive.

Easy mistake Robert haha

That'll cost you 1,000 posts!