DVD-RW or DVD+RW

[MikeV]

Here is an article that may answer which drive is the standard.

CenDyne DVD Writer Honored with CRN Ultimate PC Award
Outstanding Quality, Functionality, Performance and Innovation Set CenDyne Drive Apart
SANTA ANA, Calif., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- CenDyne, Inc. today confirmed that its DVR-104 DVD-R/RW drive was recognized by CRN with an Ultimate PC award in the category of CD Drive. The award was presented May 6 at CMP Media's Tech Builder XChange Conference, which was sponsored by CenDyne and other technology leaders.
"The CenDyne DVD kit includes industry-leading hardware and a complete software solution that is powerful and easy-to-use -- a combination that it is truly worthy of CRN's Ultimate PC Award," said Ed Meadows, president, CenDyne, Inc. "Plus, the award echoes consumers' growing demand for a way to record their precious home movies or make amateur movies with DVD, as well as converting their VHS tapes to DVD-R media that won't degrade. CenDyne is committed to working with its reseller and retail partners to deliver consumers leading technology solutions like the DVR-104 DVD-R/RW drive." The Ultimate PC Award program, now in its second year, is sponsored by CMP Media's CRN, the newsweekly for builders of technology. The CRN Test Center rates technology product vendors in 18 product categories on criteria such as quality, functionality, performance, and innovation to determine which products are part of the Ultimate PC. John Yacono, the director of CRN Labs, uses the award-winning products to build the Ultimate PC in a live demonstration.
"We evaluated hundreds of products that are pushing the envelope in cutting-edge technology and selected best-of-breed components to be part of the Ultimate PC," said Yacono. "We are glad to acknowledge CenDyne as an Ultimate PC Award winner and part of the PC that uses the most innovative, feature-rich and reliable products available today."
CenDyne partnered with the industry's leading hardware and software providers to develop the CenDyne DVR-104 DVD-R/RW kit.
"Partnering with CenDyne has been instrumental to delivering a quality DVD solution to a wide range of consumers," said Jim Kaufmann, director of sales for Pioneer's optical systems division. "Pioneer launched the world's first DVD-R recordable drive in 1998 and as an official recording format of the worldwide DVD Forum, DVD-R is still considered the industry standard for professional, corporate and now consumer video applications. The overwhelming demand for Pioneer's fourth generation DVD-R/RW drive clearly shows that consumers want a recordable drive that is compatible with the widest range of DVD players and drives on the market today."
According to Mark Ely, general manager, desktop product group at Sonic, "Until the advent of affordable DVD authoring systems, DVD creation was reserved for video professionals working in corporate AV departments, multimedia companies, and high-end post-production facilities. We are extremely pleased that CenDyne has chosen to include Sonic's industry-leading MyDVD software in their latest turn-key DVD recording system, allowing consumers to record, burn, re-edit and share their videos on DVD and CD with speed, quality and ease just like the Hollywood pros."
Udo Eberlein, president, Ahead Software Inc. commented, "Savvy consumers that have long enjoyed the CD as a reliable storage solution for audio and video files are now embracing the DVD to give them even more opportunities for digital content creation and storage. We're pleased that our powerful and reliable Nero 5.5 Burning ROM software package is part of CenDyne's award-winning DVD kit."
About CenDyne Inc.
Located in Santa Ana, Calif., CenDyne markets and sells computer peripherals through retail and online outlets including: Amazon.com, American TV, Army & Air Force Exchange Service, BestBuy.com, BJ Wholesales, Circuit City, Costco, Fry's, Hastings, Ingram Micro, Micro Center, Nebraska Furniture Mart, NEXCOM (Navy Exchange), Office Max, RadioShack.com, Staples and Tiger Direct. The company has received numerous accolades and industry awards for its outstanding products that provide a great value for consumers, including CRN's Ultimate PC Award in 2002 and PC World's World Class Award in 2000. Testament to its industry leadership, CenDyne was named by Entrepreneur Magazine and Dun & Bradstreet as one of the 2001 "America's Hot 100 Fastest-Growing New Businesses." For more information, please go to the company's Web site at www.cendyne.com or call the company at 714-556-1020.
About CRN and CRN Test Center
CRN is the nation's leading trade newsweekly that provides timely industry news and analysis for solution providers, integrators and e-businesses building technology solutions. It is the most trusted source of news for 117,500 channel professionals. A media leader in the high-tech industry, CRN provides the most comprehensive suite of online resources: http://www.crn.com , the site where industry news breaks first; CRN Direct, a daily newsletter that brings personalized news to solution providers' desktops; and CRN News Radio, a daily news broadcast covering the solution provider channel and the industry.
The CRN Test Center is the technology-evaluation department of CRN, providing unbiased product, technology and channel-program analysis specifically targeted at solution providers. The CRN Test Center produces single-product reviews, technology news, technology demonstrations at tradeshows, and product roundups featuring channel-program evaluations. Top products receive the coveted "Editor's Choice" or "Recommended" designations.
About CMP Media LLC
CMP Media LLC ( www.cmp.com ) is a leading high-tech media company providing essential information and marketing services to the entire technology spectrum-the builders, sellers and users of technology worldwide. Capitalizing on its editorial strength, CMP is uniquely positioned to offer marketers comprehensive, integrated media solutions tailored to meet their individual needs. Its diverse products and services include newspapers, magazines, Internet products, research, direct marketing services, education and training, trade shows and conferences, custom publishing, testing and consulting.
SOURCE: CenDyne, Inc.

Me, I'll buy the Pioneer DVR-A04/104, read all the posts and articles, still think the Pioneer is a better recorder. And price is below $350.00 in U.S.A.

[Eug]

I don't really think that answers anything, as it is essentially a press release. That's said, I believe the A04 is a fine recorder.

Check my sig for more info.

[MikeV]

I like the A04 myself and will get one when funds become available. Look at what it can do: DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R, CD-RW
What can the DVD+RW do: DVD+R, DVD+RW

[MOVIEGEEK]

The answer to "which is best" depends if your dvd player will play dvd-
or dvd+.Check your players web-site or [/url]http://www.vcdhelp.com/dvdplayers.php

[jvinlove]

Mike V
the DVD+r/+rw drives can do CD-r and CD-rw was well

its almost a personal pref. all my players play dvd+r and dvd+rw just fine plus i work @ Best Buy part time so i went with the HP the Price was right

[fingernailX]

For me its not the initial investment in the burner or whether it can burn CDs or CDRWs. Its simply what allows me to distribute to my various distribution circles (home videos to my family, ripped DVDs to my friends, porn to my mistress) the most compatible disc at the cheapest per disc price. One trip to americal.com (a good source of cheap discs) shows we have but one candidate DVD-R @ $1.49 per plus $8 shipping. Either the Pioneer or Panosonic (have access to both) will do. Media price/compatibility is what's important - after that the burner choice is easy.

[jvinlove]

totally understand, !! but i think the media price whatever it is will come down in the next 6 months cant wait till we can buy 50pack spindles for 19.99 @ best buy !