dvd+rw and dvd-rw?

[taurusthebull]

can someone explain the difference between dvd+rw and dvd-rw. i notice that some writers will work with one and not the other. the pioneer ao4 write to dvd-rw`s and the hp 200i will write to dvd+rw`s? does this mean that you have to buy +rw blanks or -rw blanks or there`s no difference in the media?

[Causality]

Yes, different formats. Two competing camps on what DVD recording media standard should be. Supposedly DVD+R will have better compatibility with players than DVD-R and (in theory) writes a little faster. I assume before long we will see hybrid drives that will use both. But, for now you must use the same format as your drive. New HP, Sony, and Ricoh are DVD+R(W). Pioneer, Cendyne, Acer, and old HP are DVD-R(W). Price is currently higher for the + format media but will probably come down. Oddly, the -R format is older and has more drives sold but I've had trouble finding DVD-R's in local stores but they do stock +R's. Maybe + is winning the political battle.

[taurusthebull]

thanks for the info!