Backups

• A single-layer DVD-R disc can hold 4.7 GB of information, while a dual-layer can hold 8.5 GB. That is far more than the 700 MB limit that CD-R discs have. Because of their storage capability, many people use DVD-Rs as a back-up medium, storing documents, photos, music and other important files on the discs.
  
  

Video and Movies

• A DVD-R is identical to the kind of DVDs that are used to play movies, so many people use DVD-R discs to create discs they can play in a DVD player. Videos found online or made at home can be formatted and burned to disc in a way that they will play in almost all DVD players sold today.
  
  

Alternatives

• DVD-R is not the only recordable DVD format that can be used to make backups and movies. DVD+R, a competing format, can also do both these things, as can DVD-RW and DVD+RW, two rewritable disc formats.