difference between DVD-R & DVD+R

[MACCA350]

Hi all,
I searched for some answers but could not find any.

Someone wrote in another forum that:-
DVD-R has a CBR(constant bit-rate)
DVD+R has a VBR(variable bit-rate)

Now I thaught that the bit-rate was set when the video is encoded and has nothing to do with the media.
Does anyone know if what they wrote has any substance or is it just crap?
Also are there any other major differences between the media formats?

I have always used DVD-R, not because I like it any more than DVD+R but simply 'cause thats all there was when I started burning them and I have had no probs with DVD-R

Anyway if anyone has any info or links to info please step forward.
I DO NOT WANT TO START A FLAME WAR or continue an old one!

By the way I would like to thank those who setup this site and everyone who has shared their knowledge in this forum. I am grateful for all the information and guides made available to those of us who need it. This site helped me through VCD, SVCD, DVD among other things.
So I tip my hat to all

[lordsmurf]

Someone wrote in another forum that:-
DVD-R has a CBR(constant bit-rate)
DVD+R has a VBR(variable bit-rate)

Then "someone" is just some newbie with screwed-up facts. Bad info.

Read this:
http://www.digitalfaq.com/othervideo/dvdformats.htm

[MACCA350]

Thanks lordsmurf, that site has some useful info.

[Faustus]

The difference? One ASCII code.

[naturalzinc]

ya everyone knows (-) was first and forum supported, like that really matters now.

it sure looks like (+) is out in front as far as speed and DL. thats a key difference to me, especially since media prices are often interchangable for the 2 formats.

i really could care less tho cuz my drive burns both

i go for which ever is cheaper and faster which is usually (+)

me2c

[lordsmurf]

Compatibility is the key here. DVD-R, no matter what you do to any other format, is most compatible. If you are a business (large or small), this is a detail of dire importance. If for yourself only, maybe not as much.

You can buy 8x and burn 8x media for both formats.

DVD-R is by far the best media for budget-minded people (the word "cheap" not used because some people take that to mean "low quality" which is not the case here). This is true in bulk especially. With online vendors even more.

Look at the media grade class listing at www.nomorecoasters.com and note how almost no DVD+R media is on the 1ST class chart, and no DVD+RW or DVD-RW is there either (except founder Pioneer DVD-RW). DVD-RAM is not included there (not much choice anyway).

Both dual-layer formats are in R&D right now, so a moot point to argue over.

[naturalzinc]

Look at the media grade class listing at www.nomorecoasters.com and note how almost no DVD+R media is on the 1ST class chart

is that because you are the one who made the chart and are partial to DVD-R?

[jeex]

dvd-r will hold a few more MB than than dvd+r.

Compatibility is the key here. DVD-R, no matter what you do to any other format, is most compatible. If you are a business (large or small), this is a detail of dire importance. If for yourself only, maybe not as much.

wouldnt a high quality dvd+r with a booktype of DVD-ROM be more compatible than a high quality dvd-r?

[naturalzinc]

a few more things...this doesn't seem to be R&D to me: http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/9708 ...we will have to wait for discs tho


an old but technical article that might provide some info: http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/113

[boden11]

I bought a Sony DRU-500a before reading about the whole +/- thing. I bought a few different types of + media and - media and have come to the conclusion that DVD-R is just superior for playback compatability. My Liteon 163d (newest firmware installed and yes DMA and all that is fine) has problems reading +R discs past 3.7 gigs and I've had stuttering with + discs in my standalone. Also combined with the fact that it's hard to find ANY quality +R discs (HP's have been CMC Magnetics, Memorex and Maxell have also not worked well with me) and the answer is clear. I get the smoothest cleanest Nero CD-Speed read graphs from -R media and the best dvd standalone playback from -R.

I can consistently purchase high quality Taiyo Yuden -R's for a reasonable price (yes I know they now make +R's but why switch if I've never had 1 issue with their -R media?)

Also the whole speed issue is kinda moot. If I'm backing up a movie which I hope is going to last at least 5-7 yrs, saving 8 minutes of burning time is pretty pointless. I'd rather write the data at a reliable speed (4x) than worry about playback problems down the road. Same with +R DL, I'll wait for -R DL.

[MACCA350]

Thanks all for your views,
I've been using Ritek G04 for a while and have been happy with their results. Although I've found the most compatible results when burned at 2x.

If I burn at 4x my denon DVD2200(I've found very picky) has freezing issues about half way through (about 1 out of 4 burns but more often with other media), but they play perfect on my other 2 players and the computer. Burn them at 2x and the denon plays every one perfect.

This may be a prob with my burner (Pioneer 106 with fimware v1.08) but its was told it was too late to exchange it. Or it could be the denon is just fussier then most. Its funny how most of the cheaper players will play anything you throw at them, and the more expensive players (denon cost me AU$1,200) tend to be more touchy when it comes to burnt media.

Ive read a few other people having similar issues, so I just burn at 2x. I haven't found any Taiyo Yuden -R yet, I'd like to see how they go in the denon.

[boden11]

If you're looking for Taiyo's I've had the best experience with Rima.com. They just recently dropped their price on the 4x -R's to something like $1.30/ea in the 50-pack and $1.25/ea in the 90 or 100 pack. Awesome quality--gotten a 4x burn with *NO* problems every time.

I think it's funny how 'quality' companies like TDK which when DVD recordable was first public had these awesome medias and then used sleight of hand to switch to the WORST media (CMC) without letting anyone know. What a farking joke.

[lordsmurf]

dvd-r will hold a few more MB than than dvd+r.

Compatibility is the key here. DVD-R, no matter what you do to any other format, is most compatible. If you are a business (large or small), this is a detail of dire importance. If for yourself only, maybe not as much.

wouldnt a high quality dvd+r with a booktype of DVD-ROM be more compatible than a high quality dvd-r?

No.

[mamoranto]

i have a lite-on drive and changed my booktype settings to DVD-ROM and now even my 2nd generation magnavox DVD player will play on my DVD+R while any attempt to burn a DVD-R never yielded a result. I am now a DVD+R convert because now, even my oldest DVD player (8+ years) will play a converted DVD+R media. YEAH!!! (THE TRICK, CHANGE THE BOOKTYPE SETTINGS)

[mamoranto]

..

[lenti_75]

dvd-r will hold a few more MB than than dvd+r.

Compatibility is the key here. DVD-R, no matter what you do to any other format, is most compatible. If you are a business (large or small), this is a detail of dire importance. If for yourself only, maybe not as much.

wouldnt a high quality dvd+r with a booktype of DVD-ROM be more compatible than a high quality dvd-r?

No.

YOu SURE ???? I play them in players, that they are not even supposed to play -R, NOT to mention +RW or +R....

if u don't use it, don't say anything......

Think twice......dude

[lordsmurf]

In general, taking ALL POSSIBLE SITUATIONS into account, bitsetting does not make the DVD+R disc more compatible than a DVD-R. Here and there, sure it works, but THE BIG PICTURE is not that way.