If you are making a DVD, then yes, you will need an actual DVD to burn. However, let me tell you the difference. CD-R (CD-Rom) is a disk that can usually only be used once (as in burning). Once the content has been burned into the disk, you can only add, update, and view the disk. CD-RW (CD-Rom Rewritable) these disks can be rewritten. They can be viewed and files can be added, deleted, and modified. Hope this clears up any more questions.