How to format a dvd with the samsung dvd-vr330

This unit is tricky.
If it doesn't load it to format, it may not like that brand, or the eyeball may need cleaning.
You can try using a cleaner disk, but the only way I've been able to keep mine runnig is to open the box CAREFULLY, and clean the eyeball.

But first if you never disconnected it from power, try that for a few days. Sometimes you can get it to work again - that seems to allow the power to run down inside and allows it to "reboot".

Remove the DVD unit coverplate and with a cotton swab and alcohol, very gently touch the "eye' in a circular meotion. I think you can find instructions and diagrams on the internet.

It takes a little know-how but your average tech will just tell you to buy a new unit.

I had 3 and one by one they became unuseable, so only one will record now, and funny thing somestimes it will even read a DVD-RAM. Often it will read a RAM and allow me to copy it to tape.

A second unit I only use to connect dish to the TV.

I can't say what DVD brand will record on yours but I have used Maxell -RW, Sony-RW, and Memorex -RW.
Oddly, I never had a lot of luck with a -R.

If you get it to format, record something a few seconds - I call that priming. Then view it. But do not remove that disk until you are through with it and then finalize it. I find it likely if it comes out not finalized it will not load again.

If after cleaning, you cannot get a disk to load, well, you have a good tape recorder, and I find tapes most convenient, much less tricky.

BTW, none of my 3 could I get to play a store bought video DVD movie.

I seldom record on mine now, preferring to keep it for just home movies.

Disks are not that reliable. I've found library disks that were filthy and scratched, yet would play, and some almost never checked out would play. If I looked carefully with light at a slant I could see some kind of deposits forming under the surface.

Regards