[header] How to install a dvd drive [title] Learn the different formats. [step] There are a variety of confusing formats for dvd drives, including dvd, dvd + r, dvd-r, dvd +/- r, dvd +/- rw. These all refer to the different read and write capabilities of the drive. 
Generally, all new drives these days will be dvd +/- rw or just dvd rw. This indicates that it can read dvds as well as write to all the types of burnable dvd discs.