Maxell DVD-R wont play on other DVD players!?

Question

I can record TV shows on my Pioneer DVD recorder wile using a Maxell DVD-R to record it on and I can play back all of my material but only on the Pioneer. What can I do to be able to play it back on other DVD systems

Answer 1

1. The disc may have to be finalized by the recorder first before other players can read it.

2. In the past, some players are incompatible with DVD-R media, such as vintage Philips DVD players. Others are incompatible with DVD+R media, such as older Pioneer players.  There are older players that can play both, such as Sony.  

Most players sold new today, however, can just about play them all with the possible exception of DVD-RAM.

Answer 2

Through trial and error I have learned that some players accept only -R while others only accept +R, and some accept both.  I would look in the book to see if it specifies which it will use.  Other than that I don't know.