Which DVD to buy ?

I have a :
Sony NEC Optiarc SATA 22x Dual DVD burner 8x dvd + rw, 6x DVD -rw, 8x dvd +/-r DL 12x DVD-RAM .

I want to convert some .avi to DVD playable on standalone units.
1) Which DVDs should I buy to burn to
2) whats the best (preferably freeware) codec converter to convert .avi (and possibly other codecs) into a DVD viewable on standalone players ?

I have Googled, and used the search feature here on MG and came up with some apps that may work, but I would like to hear some opinions of people experienced in this and I want to make sure I buy blank DVDs that will work with my DVD burner.
Thanks !

 

I am not so concerned about brand as I am compatibility. I haven't tried to burn anything to a DVD in years, and the DVD's i bought at that time could not be recognized by my burner (this was on my old, now defunct computer).
I simply haven't had a need to burn DVD's until now .
Also, I'm still trying to get a recommendation on a (preferably free) codec converter .
Thank you for your time!

 

Hi FED UP,

Personally I prefer to use DVD-R's because they are more compatible with stand-alone DVD players than DVD+R's are. You might want to use DVDFlick (available on MG's) for converting and burning avi's to DVD.

 

Thank you. I will look into DVDFlick right now .