Question about DVD-R and DVD+R burners

[khaymen]

I am looking around to buy my first DVD burner and was told I should get one that has _R and +R compatabilty.

What is the difference between the two? Is one backwards compatible? Or are they completely different?

Obviously, i want to be able to play what I burn on my stand alone DVD player (need to look at manual when I get home to see what all it will play).

I plan on burning home movie captures, and video I have D/L'd from web.

Sorry if this is in the guide section somewhere, I looked around a while ago and hadn't seen anything.

[hoyboy]

Just look to you left, and you will see a what is guide to dvdr. click on that and it will tell you all you need to know (for now at least)about the different formats.

[AarontheRipper]

The two formats are nearly identical..., but completely incompatable with each other. Both play in about the same percentage of standalone DVD players, and both can be burned using the same programs. Check the DVD Players section to see what your player is compatable with. Most likely, it will be both. -R media is slightly cheaper when bought in bulk than +R, and that, aside from some slight technical matters, is about the only difference right now. My drive only burns -R, and a majority of those who have dual format drives burn -R a majority of the time anyway. If the budget is tight, I'd probably go with one format (-R). If it's not so tight, get a dual format.

[poopyhead]

Both play in about the same percentage of standalone DVD players, and both can be burned using the same programs.

-R has a slightly higher compatibility than +R

maybe 5%...someone said even as high as 12%??

btw, you ready for a war...

[SIRCOOKS]

i totally agree...in canada they sold all kinda dvd+r and the dvd players were all -r compatible....to hell with the +r format get a -r for your investment

[Bob W]

I have three DVD burners, a Sony, Pioneer, and the NEC ND-1100a. At this time I would recommend getting the NEC ND-1300a DVD +/-RW dual format burner for a mere $169 at this link.
http://avlogic.com/product.cgi?code=18030059

[khaymen]

Thanks everyone, B-Day is Monday and the money will be collected shortly after...LOL


I'll check out that link next. The lowest I have seen one is $189 and that was a no name brand I don't like much. I haven't had any problem with NEC stuff i have bought in the past.

[indolikaa]

btw, you ready for a war...

Bring it on, Spice Boy!

[Dennis1968]

the only advantage is the DVD+VR recording format. other than that, just get a combo drive and buy the blanks that are on sale.