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G Man
03-06-2006, 10:55 PM
Hi,

Can anyone please tell me the difference between DVD-R and DVD+R blank discs. Would admin please move if this is in wrong section. Thanks

G Man

jay
03-06-2006, 11:06 PM
Hardly anything, the only reason I can see that you would choose one over the other is if your burning dvd movies and want to play them on a stand alone dvd player

Hunter
03-06-2006, 11:08 PM
- is the standard mate

twobeercans
03-06-2006, 11:22 PM
most stand alones will play + and - R dvd's infact its pretty much only the nasty dvd recorders that must have -R's i myself always use +R's because i find they burn more reliably less failed writes.

G Man
04-06-2006, 09:55 AM
Cheers Lads

This is new to me. Stood looking at them in Tescos while Mrs was shopping and both appeared to have same spec. Will get some + ones.

Regards,
G Man

Shipoftheline
04-06-2006, 11:17 AM
Agree with Hunter and because of this I think you'll find the - media is cheaper because more people use it

merlyn2010uk
15-06-2006, 03:38 PM
+ dvd r's don't burn on old dvd writers...i have a 2x pioneer (very reliable) , but wont burn or even recognise +r's.

hay i should go buy a new one..much faster..stuck in my ways..

The-Wappy-One
15-06-2006, 03:43 PM
Taken from SVP.co.uk

What's the difference between + (plus), - (minus) and DVD-RAM format media?

Currently there are many writeable and rewriteable formats on the market and it can be confusing to the average consumer. These formats include:

* DVD-R
* DVD-RW
* +R
* +RW
* DVD-RAM

Almost all of the latest internal DVD writers now support the first four of these formats, and some of the latest support DVD-RAM recording also. The media you buy must suit your recorder's capabilities or it simply won't work.

DVD-R and DVD-RW (buy media in this format)
DVD-R and DVD-RW are both sanctioned formats of the DVD Forum, a consortium of companies involved in the development of DVD standards. Both formats generally use 4.7 GB discs.
DVD-R is a write-once recordable format which allows excellent compatibility with both standalone DVD players and DVD-ROM drives.

DVD-RW media uses rewriteable discs which are rated for more than 1000 rewrites in ideal situations. The majority of standalone DVD players will play video recorded on DVD-RW discs, but the compatibility is not as high as with DVD-R.

Current DVD-RW recorders also record to DVD-R. However, the reverse is not always true. Some of the older DVD-R recorders are not capable of writing to DVD-RW discs (although some may be able to read DVD-RW discs burned with other drives).

DVD-RAM (buy media in this format)
DVD-RAM is a format originally aimed primarily as a data solution, but it is now becoming popular as a video format used by some brands of standalone (non-PC) DVD recorders (e.g. Panasonic). Current drives use 4.7 GB discs (or double-sided 9.4 GB discs).

DVD-RAM discs are traditionally housed within cartridges which cannot be opened, so that the media is well-protected. Newer Type II and Type IV cartridges can be opened however, an important feature for those who wish to read these discs in DVD-RAM compatible DVD-ROM drives or standalone DVD players. In addition, some DVD-RAM discs are now sold without cartridges.

DVD-RAM is a sanctioned format of the DVD Forum. DVD-RAM is a very robust data storage solution, theoretically allowing greater than 100000 rewrites per disc. In addition to support of the usual DVD UDF formats, DVD-RAM also allows fully integrated OS-level random read/write access similar to a hard drive, in both Windows XP (with FAT32) and Mac OS X (with FAT32 or HFS+), as well as on-the-fly write verification. The main drawback of the DVD-RAM format is its limited read compatibility by DVD-ROM drives and standalone DVD players. DVD-RAM read support with these units is increasing however.

+R and +RW (buy media in this format)
These two formats are backed by the DVD+RW Alliance. While these formats are not sanctioned by the DVD Forum, several members of the DVD+RW Alliance are also members of the DVD Forum. Technically, �DVD� is not to be used in the names for these formats, since they are not approved by the DVD Forum. However, in reality, these discs are very similar to DVD-R and DVD-RW in design, usage, and compatibility.

+RW, like DVD-RW, is a rewriteable 4.7 GB format, and overall it has similar functionality to DVD-RW. One potential future advantage of the +RW format is the optional Mount Rainier drag-and-drop file access support (also known as +MRW) planned for future versions of Windows. However, current drives do not support Mount Rainier on +RW. The level of compatibility of +RW discs in standalone DVD players is similar to that of DVD-RW. The rewritability of +RW is also said to be similar to that of DVD-RW.

+R is a format that was introduced to consumers in early 2002. It must be noted, however, that first generation +RW recorders did not support +R recording, and in most cases cannot be upgraded to do so. If one wishes to have +R burning functionality, one must purchase a recent drive specifically designed to do so. +R discs currently are somewhat more expensive than DVD-R discs, but prices will likely drop with time. Compatibility of +R discs in standalone DVD players is similar to that of DVD-R.

So what hardware should I buy then? (buy hardware)
This is a very difficult question. The choice largely depends on one's usage environment and preferences.

DVD-RAM discs cannot be used in most standalone DVD players and DVD-ROM drives, and this has historically made this format less attractive for the average home user. However, the integrated OS-level drag-and-drop read/write data support of DVD-RAM makes it very attractive for some users, especially now that most current DVD-RAM burners also support DVD-R burning for video applications. DVD-RAM capable PC drives will also be ideal for those whom already own DVD-RAM based camcorders or standalone DVD-RAM recorders.

DVD-R/DVD-RW drives currently have the highest market penetration, both with PCs and Macs. As previously mentioned, DVD-R enjoys high compatibility with standalone DVD players. In addition, the low cost of DVD-RW is attractive to many for backup purposes (with the use of third party software and/or drivers). Furthermore, most standalone DVD players will read DVD-RW as well, although the compatibility rate is significantly lower than with DVD-R.

+R and +RW are beginning to gain market share, and these discs appear to have similar compatibility on standalone DVD players as compared to DVD-R are DVD-RW, respectively. Current functionality with these drives is similar to DVD-R and DVD-RW drives, both for data and for video applications.

Can I have it all?
As explained earlier, combinations of several of the formats are as standard with most modern drives. Pioneer's DVR-109 and the NEC ND-3500 are examples of writers that can burn to DVD-R, DVD-RW, +R and +RW.

Many of the newest range of drives expected to arrive in the Autumn of 2005 will, in addition, have the functionality to record to DVD-RAM discs as well. These have been nicknamed 'Superdrives' by some because they are truly multi-format writers. The LG GSA-4163B was the first such example and is already now available for under �30.

What about external DVD recorders?
Internal drives are cheaper but require you to open up the PC to fit them. There's an article on what's involved elsewhere in this knowledgebase. External drives are quicker to fit and involve less technical know-how. They are highly portable between machines.

Compatibility of external drives is not guaranteed with all software, however. Nero has support.

You can adapt an internal drive for use as an external drive by buying one of our USB2 or Firewire external drive housings. As well as being portable, this solution has the advantage that it needs no free space in the host computer.

Can I record DVDs on my laptop?
Yes! Many newer laptops that are available to buy these days include DVD burners as the primary optical drive. If this is not the case then to record DVD on a laptop one would need to use an external drive, connected to a Firewire or USB 2 port on the laptop. This port can be either built-in or on an add-in PCMCIA adapter card.

Naughty Dog
15-06-2006, 08:23 PM
Thanks as i also wanted to jnow this.


Taken from SVP.co.uk
What's the difference between + (plus), - (minus) and DVD-RAM format media?
Currently there are many writeable and rewriteable formats on the market and it can be confusing to the average consumer. These formats include:
* DVD-R
* DVD-RW
* +R
* +RW
* DVD-RAM
Almost all of the latest internal DVD writers now support the first four of these formats, and some of the latest support DVD-RAM recording also. The media you buy must suit your recorder's capabilities or it simply won't work.
DVD-R and DVD-RW (buy media in this format)
DVD-R and DVD-RW are both sanctioned formats of the DVD Forum, a consortium of companies involved in the development of DVD standards. Both formats generally use 4.7 GB discs.
DVD-R is a write-once recordable format which allows excellent compatibility with both standalone DVD players and DVD-ROM drives.
DVD-RW media uses rewriteable discs which are rated for more than 1000 rewrites in ideal situations. The majority of standalone DVD players will play video recorded on DVD-RW discs, but the compatibility is not as high as with DVD-R.
Current DVD-RW recorders also record to DVD-R. However, the reverse is not always true. Some of the older DVD-R recorders are not capable of writing to DVD-RW discs (although some may be able to read DVD-RW discs burned with other drives).
DVD-RAM (buy media in this format)
DVD-RAM is a format originally aimed primarily as a data solution, but it is now becoming popular as a video format used by some brands of standalone (non-PC) DVD recorders (e.g. Panasonic). Current drives use 4.7 GB discs (or double-sided 9.4 GB discs).
DVD-RAM discs are traditionally housed within cartridges which cannot be opened, so that the media is well-protected. Newer Type II and Type IV cartridges can be opened however, an important feature for those who wish to read these discs in DVD-RAM compatible DVD-ROM drives or standalone DVD players. In addition, some DVD-RAM discs are now sold without cartridges.
DVD-RAM is a sanctioned format of the DVD Forum. DVD-RAM is a very robust data storage solution, theoretically allowing greater than 100000 rewrites per disc. In addition to support of the usual DVD UDF formats, DVD-RAM also allows fully integrated OS-level random read/write access similar to a hard drive, in both Windows XP (with FAT32) and Mac OS X (with FAT32 or HFS+), as well as on-the-fly write verification. The main drawback of the DVD-RAM format is its limited read compatibility by DVD-ROM drives and standalone DVD players. DVD-RAM read support with these units is increasing however.
+R and +RW (buy media in this format)
These two formats are backed by the DVD+RW Alliance. While these formats are not sanctioned by the DVD Forum, several members of the DVD+RW Alliance are also members of the DVD Forum. Technically, �DVD� is not to be used in the names for these formats, since they are not approved by the DVD Forum. However, in reality, these discs are very similar to DVD-R and DVD-RW in design, usage, and compatibility.
+RW, like DVD-RW, is a rewriteable 4.7 GB format, and overall it has similar functionality to DVD-RW. One potential future advantage of the +RW format is the optional Mount Rainier drag-and-drop file access support (also known as +MRW) planned for future versions of Windows. However, current drives do not support Mount Rainier on +RW. The level of compatibility of +RW discs in standalone DVD players is similar to that of DVD-RW. The rewritability of +RW is also said to be similar to that of DVD-RW.
+R is a format that was introduced to consumers in early 2002. It must be noted, however, that first generation +RW recorders did not support +R recording, and in most cases cannot be upgraded to do so. If one wishes to have +R burning functionality, one must purchase a recent drive specifically designed to do so. +R discs currently are somewhat more expensive than DVD-R discs, but prices will likely drop with time. Compatibility of +R discs in standalone DVD players is similar to that of DVD-R.
So what hardware should I buy then? (buy hardware)
This is a very difficult question. The choice largely depends on one's usage environment and preferences.
DVD-RAM discs cannot be used in most standalone DVD players and DVD-ROM drives, and this has historically made this format less attractive for the average home user. However, the integrated OS-level drag-and-drop read/write data support of DVD-RAM makes it very attractive for some users, especially now that most current DVD-RAM burners also support DVD-R burning for video applications. DVD-RAM capable PC drives will also be ideal for those whom already own DVD-RAM based camcorders or standalone DVD-RAM recorders.
DVD-R/DVD-RW drives currently have the highest market penetration, both with PCs and Macs. As previously mentioned, DVD-R enjoys high compatibility with standalone DVD players. In addition, the low cost of DVD-RW is attractive to many for backup purposes (with the use of third party software and/or drivers). Furthermore, most standalone DVD players will read DVD-RW as well, although the compatibility rate is significantly lower than with DVD-R.
+R and +RW are beginning to gain market share, and these discs appear to have similar compatibility on standalone DVD players as compared to DVD-R are DVD-RW, respectively. Current functionality with these drives is similar to DVD-R and DVD-RW drives, both for data and for video applications.
Can I have it all?
As explained earlier, combinations of several of the formats are as standard with most modern drives. Pioneer's DVR-109 and the NEC ND-3500 are examples of writers that can burn to DVD-R, DVD-RW, +R and +RW.
Many of the newest range of drives expected to arrive in the Autumn of 2005 will, in addition, have the functionality to record to DVD-RAM discs as well. These have been nicknamed 'Superdrives' by some because they are truly multi-format writers. The LG GSA-4163B was the first such example and is already now available for under �30.
What about external DVD recorders?
Internal drives are cheaper but require you to open up the PC to fit them. There's an article on what's involved elsewhere in this knowledgebase. External drives are quicker to fit and involve less technical know-how. They are highly portable between machines.
Compatibility of external drives is not guaranteed with all software, however. Nero has support.
You can adapt an internal drive for use as an external drive by buying one of our USB2 or Firewire external drive housings. As well as being portable, this solution has the advantage that it needs no free space in the host computer.
Can I record DVDs on my laptop?
Yes! Many newer laptops that are available to buy these days include DVD burners as the primary optical drive. If this is not the case then to record DVD on a laptop one would need to use an external drive, connected to a Firewire or USB 2 port on the laptop. This port can be either built-in or on an add-in PCMCIA adapter card.