Are Store Bought DVDs Either DVD+R or DVD-R ??

[christopheramos]

Hello,

I just bought a Pioneer DVR-531H-S standalone DVD recorder.

It says it plays "Store Bought DVDs, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD-RW DL"

I have a lot of movies on DVD+R. I am guessing that I won't be able to play them on my Pioneer (I haven't been able to try it yet, because I just ordered it and it hasn't arrived yet), because they are +R and not -R.

But what about commercial DVDs??? Are they DVD+R or DVD-R, or something else all together?

Thanks!

[JohnnyMalaria]

But what about commercial DVDs??? Are they DVD+R or DVD-R, or something else all together?

Thanks!

Something else all together.

[christopheramos]

Okay, thanks. I hope this next question isn't a violation of VideoHelp rules. I apologize if it is.
But I've read where DVD Recorders can be hacked ??? I don't know what that really means. Can a unit be hacked to play different forms of media (say DVD+R as well as DVD-R)?

Thanks!

[JohnnyMalaria]

The hacking usually refers to disabling region control and other 'soft' items.

Compatability between DVD-R and DVD+R is usually more of an issue for recording them in the first place. There's a table of playback compatability here: http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#4.3.1

Simplest thing to do is try one of your DVD+R discs in your new unit.

[christopheramos]

Thanks! I will check it out.

[noki]

"...what about commercial DVDs??? Are they DVD+R or DVD-R..."

They are PRESSED, not dye-based as recordable are. turn the DVD's over...pressed are NOT blueish.

Your recorder should play both + and - recordables.

[TBoneit]

My 531h plays both +R & -R and I've Played +R Dual layer in it. You will need -R discs to record on as it will not record on +R discs. I haven't tried -R Dual Layer yet. I use it via Component Out to a HDTV now and used to use it via S-Video to a SDTV. You can find a lot of info on this recorder here. Just search the messages.

Cheers

[christopheramos]

Great!! Thanks everyone!!! It's good to know that I'll probably be able to play my DVD+R movies. It would be a real pain to go back and re-record them onto -Rs!!!!

Regards,
Chris