Unless your DVD player is really old or something, you shouldn't need to format the CD. Just put it in your DVD player. If that doesn't work, then maybe your DVD player just doesn't support burned CDRs. You could try another CDR brand if that's the case. at www.dvdrhelp.com there's DVD comparison charts and stuff, and just look up your player's model number and it will tell you what it can and can't play.