DVD+R or DVD-R What's the Diff?

[rhegedus]

Again, wether a player will play a Verbatim + or - depends on the player. RWs are a different story. Far more players support R than RW.

Are you saying that all players will play -R and/ or +R, it just has to be the right brand of media?

[sidewinder33625]

Again, wether a player will play a Verbatim + or - depends on the player. RWs are a different story. Far more players support R than RW.

Are you saying that all players will play -R and/ or +R, it just has to be the right brand of media?

I'm saying there are multiple variables as I stated previously. As you have proven, you can take one disc that plays perfectly on one player then take the same disc to another and it will not play. That does not mean the format is the only reason the player does not play the disc. Although in your case, you tested a RW which large number of players have trouble to begin with.

[rhegedus]

Yes, but if you control the variables such as burner and software, all your left with is brand, -R / +R format and the set top player.

I'll ask again: will all players play -R and +R given the right media?

[sidewinder33625]

Yes, but if you control the variables such as burner and software, all your left with is brand, -R / +R format and the set top player.

I'll ask again: will all players play -R and +R given the right media?

Like I said, my main point here is not to draw conclusions but to point out that you can't automatically blame the format becaues one disc does not play on your player.

[rhegedus]

That is slightly different to:

As far as I'm concerned there is absolutely no difference in terms of compatibility with settop players wether its a PLUS or a MINUS. The end result is identical wether its a + or -.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not having a go at you.

But the statistics gathered from this site sem to indicate otherwise. I'd also be pretty annoyed if you were right because it would mean that I bought a new set top needlessly

[coyote]

What I think he is trying to say is this:

It is possible to use the same type of disc, let's say a plus r, the same burner, and the same set top player.

And then have the set top player play one brand of disc, but not another. Simply because of the manufacturing of the disc itself.

He isn't saying that the +r/-r doesn't matter, what he is saying is that there can be many reasons...and manufacturing is one of them.

[tompika]

This damn plus minus war again. Is BMW better than Mercedes?
I`m not blaming the minus and dual format owners because they are lack of experience burning plus media.

Burn a movie onto a DVD+R in DVD-ROM specification (bitsetting) and try to find a standalone player that does not play it.
So much for the compatibility race...

If the Blue-Ray players support DVD-ROM I don`t see why they wouldn`t play those ones.

If you own a minus burner be happy that your media is 10% cheaper at some places.
If you got the plus one your goal is to erase RWs in eight seconds, editing, etc...

[Metaluna]

Burn a movie onto a DVD+R in DVD-ROM specification (bitsetting) and try to find a standalone player that does not play it.
So much for the compatibility race...

The only problem is that a lot of +R/RW drive makers shoot themselves in the foot by not allowing bitsetting. In fact the two drives that seem most popular (NEC 1100 and Sony DRU-500A) specifically do not allow bitsetting unless there's a firmware hack going around that I don't know about. I think HP allows it. Not sure about Ricoh or Philips, or if any of the rebadged NEC's allow it. Hopefully Liteon's drive will be bitsettable.

[tompika]

As far as I know the plus drives are made by Ricoh and rebadged by the other companies.
The second generation plus drives do support bitsetting.
The dual burners do not.

Anyway, what is the point having a dual format drive?
They have problems working with cheap media.
They do not support bitsetting.
(I wonder how long it takes for them to finalize or erase)
They are expensive.

The media prices almost the same so I feel no disadvantage having a plus burner.

[pablo180]

Tompika,
I also have the Memorex DVD+R/W but I have no end of problems with it not playing in certain set top players.

How do you

Burn a movie onto a DVD+R in DVD-ROM specification (bitsetting)

Is there something that I have missed all this time? Like a way of making more compatible disks?

[tompika]

Hola, Pablo!

I never had compatibility problems with standalone players using +R.
The +RW I had to change the booktype to dvd-rom to make my Lasonic work with it.
I just set the +R the same way so all the players think it`s a DVD-ROM.
Some older ones are not compatible with recordable medias.

[tompika]

[kenmo]

So what is the difference in media ? Why can't I put a -R media into a +R recorder and vice versa ? Do you think it would be possible to make media that can be used in either burner ?

ie: like a 3.5 diskette, I can format and use it in a Windows PC, a MAC, an Unix workstation or in a Linux PC ....


Would it be possoble to make media that would work in either DVD-R or +R burners ?

[vtecwil]

Whats the difference ? I own a DRU-500AX so I use both types of media . What I have noticed is that +R media tends to be very good no matter what brand you buy . I have never had a single failure on +R media . With -R media you roll the dice . I've had cheap media that was great ( Ritek GO3 ) and brand name media that was crap ( Memorex ) . Yes it is true that +R media costs more online , it is not true for retail stores . I can get 4X +R for two dollars a disc , which is just above mail order prices with no shipping costs . And since it seems nobody makes their own discs these days I'll stick to +R since they tend to be made to higher standards overall . Mind you these are just my observations . For those who dont see the need for a dual format drive are they gonna have +R or -R at Walmart when you run out of discs at 2:00 am and need them real bad ?

[kenmo]

Whats the difference ? I own a DRU-500AX so I use both types of media . What I have noticed is that +R media tends to be very good no matter what brand you buy . I have never had a single failure on +R media . With -R media you roll the dice . I've had cheap media that was great ( Ritek GO3 ) and brand name media that was crap ( Memorex ) . Yes it is true that +R media costs more online , it is not true for retail stores . I can get 4X +R for two dollars a disc , which is just above mail order prices with no shipping costs . And since it seems nobody makes their own discs these days I'll stick to +R since they tend to be made to higher standards overall . Mind you these are just my observations . For those who dont see the need for a dual format drive are they gonna have +R or -R at Walmart when you run out of discs at 2:00 am and need them real bad ?

Has anyone else have the same opinion (DVD+R is better media) ?

[jomo]

long on www.dvdplusrw.org then you will know what is really the difference between these two techs.

[txpharoah]

long on www.dvdplusrw.org then you will know what is really the difference between these two techs.

Only if you're trying to compare +R to +RW.

[pablo180]

txpharoah

Only if you're trying to compare +R to +RW.

I wouldn't say that, this page on the site gives a fairly good comparison of DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW.

http://www.dvdplusrw.org/pc/pccomparison.html

[kenmo]

txpharoah

Only if you're trying to compare +R to +RW.

I wouldn't say that, this page on the site gives a fairly good comparison of DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW.

http://www.dvdplusrw.org/pc/pccomparison.html

Some things I found interesting from the above url

1) DVD+RW and DVD+R media only come in one type

2) DVD+RW supports defect management

Regarding #1, it says DVD-R has General and Authoring discs...what is the difference ? Is Authoring discs just a better grade ?

#2, does this mean if a disc develops bad sectors over time, +R has the ability to still read the disc ?

Now that I have purchased my Pioneer A05 I'm finding out I may have bought the wrong (lossing) format

[dcsos]

ALL of this "DIFFERENCE bETWEEN THE FORMATS" is
moot..

THEY BOTH WORK FOR DVD VIDEO fine

I once thought there were difference because the MARKET SPEAK on each is SKEWED to sell their format!!!

The only DIFF i could see was IF YOU BUY A " +"
YOUR MONEY GOES NOT TO THE INVENTORS of DVD VIDEO FORMAT
but to 3 companies (Microsoft, Phillisps and HP) who cooked up "+" so
they wouldn't have to pay a DIME to the true inventors of the FORMAT..

[dcsos]

DVD-R has General and Authoring discs...what is the difference ? Is Authoring discs just a better grade ?

NO AUTHORING DISCS will NOT BURN in any HOME DVD BURNER
and there are no PLUS format AUTHORING MEDIA

this media is twice as expensive as GENERAL MINUS media and
a lot more compatible than either "-" and "+"

Professionally, we use a burner that RUNS on a SCSI bus
THE PIONEER SR-201 (LIST PRICE orig $50,000US)
now $3,500
IT BURNS 4.7GIG RECORDABLE AUTHORING DISCS only

This burner is an updated SR-200 which could only burn a 3.95 AUTHORING disc
(some authoring programs you'll see this figure..IGNORE IT as you'll probaly never burn to an SR-200and no one really uses 3.95 discs in the newer high capacity (4.7) drive)

This is one reason why the "-" format remains the PROFESSIONAL's
home choice-but not a good reason..as PLUS works fine!

AND TX PHAROAH is absolutely right about below:

www.dvdplusrw.org then you will know what is really the difference between these two techs.
Only if you're trying to compare +R to +RW.

the DVDPLUS org site is full of misinformation about "-"
but the DVD forum doesn't bullshit you about"+"
NOW ITS YOUR CHOICE

[kenmo]

SO...I wonder if it is possible to manufacturer a disc that will burn in any burner (+R or -R) like a floppy diskette that formats in Windows, MAC, Unix, Linux, etc....

[andkiich]

Here are just some of my thoughts and observations about some of the items previously posted:

1. Whenever i go to the stores or PC places around where I live(it's a major US city), I see on the shelves 70% + and 30% - media. As far as drives I see 70% +, 20% - and 10% dual. The reason I got my +r/rw drive was because the majority of what I had to pick from and was +, did the research on both formats and my personal preferences send me toward +. I don't know if it's retailers, wholesalers or what, but the majority of stuff that I can buy aftermarket is +. Just my observations. FYI, I build custom machines and I go all over town getting the best deals.

2. I've never had an issue with either the PS2 or the XBOX playing +r media. Both machines are first generation, and were bought release day. I've used every media that I can get my hands on and all of them have played correctly with no problems.

3. I honestly don't care at this stage in the game which format "wins" or "loses". If I made a mistake and bought the wrong drive, I will probably not be impacted by it for a few years. By then, I'll proabably want to upgrade anyway.

[vtecwil]

Hey Kenmo , I did not say that +R media was better than -R media . What I said was that manufacturers producing +R media seem to have better quality standards overall .

Either format works just fine as long as they are made well .

[kenmo]

Again everyone ignores the question !

The original poster's question was .....
What is the difference between DVD+R and DVD-R ?

He did not ask which one we prefer .... he is asking for technicall differences...and there must be technical differences....
I would like to add to this question...

Why can't I use either media in either burner ? Is is possible that a media can be made that will work in either burner (DVD-R or +R)....

If I need a 3.5 inch diskette I do not have to choice between diskettes for a MAC, Windows-NTFS, Windows FAT32, DOS FAT16, Unix, Linux or Netware....I just buy the damn thing and format it for whatever filesystem I need it for....

[Metaluna]

At a minimum, DVD+R/RW has a "high frequency wobble track" that allows more precise positioning of the write head, whereas DVD-R uses a different, incompatible method. These wobble tracks are not transparent to the writer, as they would be to a DVD-ROM drive. The drive has to be aware of, and be able to read these two different servo methods correctly in order to write to the disk. That's one difference. There may be slight differences in dye formulation as well.

[kenmo]

At a minimum, DVD+R/RW has a "high frequency wobble track" that allows more precise positioning of the write head, whereas DVD-R uses a different, incompatible method. These wobble tracks are not transparent to the writer, as they would be to a DVD-ROM drive. The drive has to be aware of, and be able to read these two different servo methods correctly in order to write to the disk. That's one difference. There may be slight differences in dye formulation as well.

So you beleive there will be no such thing as a format independent media for recordable DVD ?

[LanEvo7]

No there is not such thing as a disc that can burn in both - and +. Their technology is slightly different. It would be like trying to burn a dvd in a cdrw. If you want to just throw any dvd disc into your drive and have it burn, get a dual format drive. Most peole that get a dual format drive end up using mostly -R media anyway since its 1/2 the price of +R media. \

In most stores around my area, +R retail media is easier to find. +R drives are easier to find to. According to some people, its because -R sells a lot faster than +R does. I could see some reasoning behind this since at the local staples, they never have more than couple boxes of -R in stock, but the +R they have a ton of. Frankly, I don't care, as long as if I put it into my drive it reads.

[pablo180]

I don't know the technical in and outs of it but I am sure that it is possible and has more to do with politics of the different (+ or -) camps. It must be possible to have a disk that can be burnt in either drive.

[Philbiker]

the DVDPLUS org site is full of misinformation about "-"
but the DVD forum doesn't bullshit you about"+"
NOW ITS YOUR CHOICE

I'm glad that I am not the only one who has noticed this.

kenmo don't worry, "-" is here to stay, as is "+".

#2, does this mean if a disc develops bad sectors over time, +R has the ability to still read the disc ?

I don't know. But I will say this, when it comes to error handling, DVD-RAM kicks ass.