does anybody actually like DVD-RW format ???

[lordsmurf]

NOTE: This is for the
RE-WRITEABLE FORMATS ONLY
(-RW)(+RW)(-RAM)

This is NOT about WRITE ONCE FORMATS (-R)(+R)

Anyway, I NEVER liked DVD-RW ... at 1x it was slow and took forever to close off. The 2x media was not much better. Still slower than the 2.4x DVD+RW by 10+ minutes (partially from 0.4x increase, partly for other reasons).

Most -RW media died after as few as 2-5 uses. With DVD+RW, I'm using the discs up to 10+ times now, with zero side effects seen to date.

I just today threw away or gave away all my DVD-RW media. Waste of space to keep it around. I don't need it, use it, or want it.

There were also SO FEW choices for good DVD-RW media. Also harder to find, and very expensive.

With DVD+RW, I'll never look back. The +RW Alliance has something to be proud of in this.

The RAM was never an option. No video, special ROM drives, pricey, etc.

Again, the DVD-R and DVD+R is not the topic of discussion.

Like the topic said...
Does anybody REALLY like DVD-RW (DASH RW) format?

[Tommyknocker]

Yep, I use it. Never had any problems with it, so never had a reason to change. Be advised, I never used the "+" format, so I have nothing to compare it with.

[Stas]

I have Plextor 708A burner and never had problems with +RW media. Not the same with Ritek -RW media. With them I have only 50% sucessful burns! At this moment I don't like -RW media, but my experience is only with Riteks.

[Rookie64]

I only used a few RWs so far and they've been +RW
I never had any trouble with them...and still no problems with -R either


Ritek and Sony are what I've tried so far

[glockjs]

in the little experience i've had in the rw world i've had better luck with +...pretty much all i know so thats all i can say

[VR-HOS]

I prefer using the +RW instead of -RW because of the speed.

[rhegedus]

Yep - I use it to transfer between my set-top recorder and PC.

No problems.

For all other re-writable needs I use +RW because it is cheaper and faster (2.4x vs 2x).

Most -RW media died after as few as 2-5 uses. With DVD+RW, I'm using the discs up to 10+ times now, with zero side effects seen to date.

I use TDK -RW and Philips +RW. They last as long as eachother i.e. I havem't had one fail on me yet despite each being used at least once a day.

As I stated in a previous post, according to Ricoh and Fuji, RW can be re-written about a 1000 times (+/- resp.).

Let's cut the unreliability crap now, shall we?

[fritzi93]

I prefer using the +RW instead of -RW because of the speed.

Yes, me too. I have a few DVD-RWs, haven't used them much because of the speed difference. Threw away my first Verbatim +RW the other day after perhaps 100 burns, although I kept no records on it. But it was for an impossible-to-repair scratch, not for any other reason.

[nick1977]

I am happy using DVD-RW, as it's the only rewriteable format my Pioneer drive will write to! Seriously though, it's been very useful for me to do test discs as my standalone player will read them. So far I have used two DVD-RW. The first one seems to have problems erasing now (although still play and records fine after warning message). That one lasted about 50 re-writes. My current disc is approaching 20 re-writes and is still going strong.
I don't consider it a perfect format by any means, but it's sufficient for what I need it for.

DVD-RAM seems the best for standalone recorders (like the Panasonic one I've got) given the timeslip capability, so that's what I've voted for!

Nick

[rhegedus]

I think you can timeslip with any RW media just so long as it can be written to at 2x or above.

[Sugar]

Only used "-" so far.
Use my DVD-RW alot to test my videos on TV. Takes a long time, about 45 min, tu burn a 4GB video.

Used Maxwell DVD-RW 1x. Used them more than 10x. When a problem, I do a full format.
I just wait for release to upgrade my Pioneer A104 to either DL or BR.

[Punkydefrag]

Used "-" for a long time until I noticed that it was just to slow to burn anything! Also I used the"-" because it was more compatible with my standalone players. Most of the players I own play "-" better than "+". I own four player, one for playing CDs, one for playing DVD, the other to are for checking to make sure the disk are playable!

[jimmalenko]

Yep, I use it. Never had any problems with it, so never had a reason to change. Be advised, I never used the "+" format, so I have nothing to compare it with.

Same.

I use mine mainly for transporting data (I have two computers in two different locations about 2 hours apart ).

[spiffy]

I have no idea -RW's lifespan is that short! I found an Optodisc -RW that I like, not too expensive, and no errors; so I actually just bought a 25 pack spindle a few days ago (they were on sale). I'm hoping to re-use them for a long time!

I like -RWs because I can back up data that I don't yet have time to sort and need the HD space; but mainly I use them to test DVD Shrink outputs... If I'm satisfied with the result then I will burn to -R. Since I burn everything at 2x anyway, the time issue hasn't really bothered me.

CD-RWs can be re-written many, many times, I read. Do DVD-RWs not have the same properties? I've been re-using one disc for 5 times now, no problems yet...

Spiffy

[jimmalenko]

I've had my DVD-RW for about a year and I would have clocked up near 300 burns without a worry.

[VR-HOS]

I have a super multi burner, so - or + isn't a big issue for me. But before that I chose the +RW alliance because the rewrite speed is 2.4X instead of 2X from the -RW. But now speed isn't really a big deal because both +/-RW can do up to 4X.

[DeleriumMDK]

I have used one DVD-RW disc and to say I wasn't happy would be an understatement. I burnt on it MAYBE 10 times total (at the agonizingly slow speed of 1X) before it rendered itself unusable. It was an Optodisc DVD-RW packaged with my Pioneer DVR-104.

For DVD+RW...I've got 3 Memorex discs, burnt to each of them at least 15-20 times and they are still perfect. I picked up this 6 pack, 3 2.4X Memorex DVD+R's, 3 DVD+RW's for $8 at Circuit City a while back, not a bad deal for that, in jewel cases too.

When it comes to write once formats I usually have to flip a coin but when it comes to RW, +RW is the only way for me to go. It burns faster for me, and has proven itself to be a lot more reliable.

[tkamin]

I use only dvd+rw X4 by ridata and works like a charm for at least 10 times now.. always burn at X4 - no prbs....

[stiltman]

I used Memorex 2x -RW. I bet I've used one of them 200+ times by now. I bought a five pack at 2 bucks per disc. I still have one that I haven't even used yet

[Justin42]

I've had some issues with +RW reliability; I have a few Fuji +RWs and TDK +RWs that seem to have problems being accessed after a while. Granted, they're older... but my Sony 1X DVD-RW and TDK 2X DVD-RW have been working for ages... So my anecdotal evidence is entirely opposite of other people's here.

I use -RW to copy stuff from my set top DVD recorder to the computer, as well.

[Guest]

Used TDK+rw when I started down this slippery slope. Still use them to experiment. I give them 2 thumbs up.

** WARNING : Format 11h (Method 1) Is Recommended ADIP Retrieval Method
** WARNING : Format 00h (Method 2) Data May Contain Drive Modified Values
** INFO : Hex Dump Of 'Media Code'-Block Listed Below
** INFO : 4-Byte Header Preceding 'Media Code'-Block Discarded
** INFO : Format 00h (Method 2) - Physical Information (Copy Of ADIP)
0000 : 92 0f 04 00 00 03 00 00 00 26 05 3f 00 00 00 00 .........&.?....
0010 : 00 00 00 52 49 43 4f 48 4a 50 4e 57 31 31 01 39 ...RICOHJPNW11.9
0020 : 23 00 8a 86 68 02 26 00 8a 86 70 02 28 00 8a 86 #...h.&...p.(...
0030 : 6a 02 28 22 12 10 e0 00 f0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 j.("............
0040 : 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
0050 : 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
0060 : 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
0070 : 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
0080 : 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
0090 : 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
00a0 : 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
00b0 : 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
00c0 : 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
00d0 : 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
00e0 : 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................
00f0 : 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................

[JohnnyCNote]

I've had mixed results. The -RW's write more slowly, but my Apex has problems reading the +RW's. It's not a big deal, but I often get a "disk error" message and have to recycle the disk tray once or twice to get it going. In general, however I've had overall better experiences with +R/RW's....

[indolikaa]

I use it, but prefer the +RW format.

[DTSL06]

I use memorex 4x +rw (Ricohjpnw11) with a Plex 708a and they always worked, but for some reason they dont work on my NEC 2500a using DVDshrink/Nero. Funny thing is that when I had the LG 4040, it wouldnt write the memorex +rw either using Nero. They work fine using CloneDVD 2 tho on the NEC. -RW are just too slow at 1x.

[aggies11]

Haven't used too much RW discs in general.

So far I use -RW for video and +RW for data.

I do have a couple of -RW (2x Maxell, TDK id) discs that I use as test burns to see if backups work correctly on the set-tops. Each of them have seen probably 6-10 burns with no problems yet (*crosses fingers*).

I use +RW for Data, because of the quick format involved in packet writing.

If I had to choose, I'd probably go with +RW (haven't used it for video yet, but I imagine that it should be about the same as -RW) as it's the most flexible. (I cringe at the idea of using -RW for packet writing)

Aggies

[axolotls]

+RW only.

I hate -RW

[TerminalVeloCD]

TYG01 DVD-Rs and RICOHJPNW11 DVD+RWs all the way!

[Perro Grande]

I have never had much luck with RW media of either flavor. I can only *occasionally* get one of my stand-alone players to read one, which functionally eliminates the main use I'd have for one. I've had several -RW discs die in the middle of a re-format and become essentially unusable afterwards.

I have a Panasonic set-top unit, so the main rewritable format I use is -RAM. I'm fortunate enough to have several DVD drives that will read them, so I can move stuff from set-top unit to PC easily (although a bit slowly) with RAM. Just wish the media wasn't so expensive!

That said, we use DVD-RW's fairly extensively where I work. Of course, 99% of what is stored on them is pure data, so the results have been fairly good.

[freiner]

I love they very good no problems have made several dvd copies and recorded many slide shows and vhs tapes everithing goes well and erased many many times. They are great, GREAT.
They are very cheap now.

[gileswa1]

I use +RW because the first PC drive I bought HP 100 was +RW, this allowed no option for +r. (I was very keen)

Have since bought a Philips DVD R75 home recorder and Plextor 708A pc drive.
Now I can burn +RW at 4x and I do too. a lot.

Also I use mostly +RW on my DVD R75 recorder because there is no pre-foramting to do or any making compatibale business.
I can simply record - play in another player, then record some more, maybe edit or delete and still be able to play in another player all with no fuss or re-formatting/trashing contents in between.

Like to see -RW do that and where are all the 4x -RW at?