You just have to make sure your family and friends have DVD players on their TV's that read DVD-RAM DVD's. There are several different DVD standards. NO!!!! Of all of the competing standards, you happened to name the one of them that doesn't work in DVD players at all!!!
DVD-R and DVD+R (and the respective +/- RW) are the ones that do 4.7GB of data and will also play in most DVD players. DVD-RAM is the one that is strictly data and will not play in players under any circumstance.
If I had to choose today, I'd get the Sony drive that does both + and - R.
Apologies... I hadn't researched that clearly enough. You are correct. I should have said DVD-R/DVD+R.
There is a website which lists compatibilities and various product numbers for DVD players.
From:
http://www.dvformat.com/2002/03_mar/features/dvd_standards.htm
First, let's divide the formats up. The first thing to note is that DVD-R and DVD+R disks can only be recorded once. You only get one chance to record your DVD movie to this kind of disk It's like pouring cement, once it is done you'll need to destroy it to change it. Further, DVD-R discs come in two types: DVD-R(A), for "authoring," and DVD-R(G), for "general." Both DVD-R and DVD+R discs will play in most DVD players, even older ones. So if you put your movie on this kind of disk there is a high probability that it will play in your living room. However, DVD-R(A) drives can not record to DVD-R(G) disks, and vice versa.
There are also DVD formats that can be recorded more than once. DVD+RW, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM disks can all be recorded thousands of times. If you don' t like how your DVD movie turns out, you can record a new version right on the same disk. These disks are more like painting a wall -- if you don't like the color you just put on a new coat. Each of these rewritable formats are a little different. DVD-RAM, for instance, was created for storage of computer data -- like backing up your hard drive. If you want to get a DVD writer to back up computer data, DVD-RAM is a solid option. However, if you plan to make your own DVD movies, one of the other formats may be better suited for that activity. Most DVD players can't play DVD-RAM disks.
The DVD-RW and DVD+RW formats are both good for making DVD movies but are essentially engaged in a Beta versus VHS-type battle. The consumer market will ultimately determine which format wins or if they end up combining into a single standard, but it is important to understand that neither is yet a universal standard. Another thing to note is that many DVD players won't play any kind of rewritable disk. Most of the newer players will play these kinds of disks, but if you have an older DVD player it may not. In general, the newer your DVD player, the more likely it is to play all the recordable formats. There are web sites like Apple.com, HomeMovie.com and DVDplusRW.org that list compatible players and formats, but these are not unabridged resources either. Use them as a general guide.