DVD+R works, DVD-R doesn't

[GordRocks]

I've made quite a few DVDs now and always used DVD+R. Now I tried using DVD-R and for some reason I can't get any success with them. Is there some additional step I need to take? With DVD+R I just put the blank disc in the burner, and CopyToDVD formats the disc and burns it. It works with either DVD+R or DVD+RW. Yes, my burner works with DVD+/-R/RW. Actually, I have two burners (both able to write to any of the formats) and I can't get any joy with either of them. I've been doing this too long to have such a simple thing go wrong. What am I doing wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

.....Gord

[Baldrick]

can you burn but they doesn't work on your standalone dvd player?
or can't you burn at all?

[GordRocks]

I am able to drag and drop files to the DVD-RW but can't seem to get anything burned to it using a burning progam.

.....Gord

[GordRocks]

Maybe my original post wasn't clear. What I'd like to know is whether there is any step I need to take with a DVD-R before trying to burn a DVD I've compiled with DVD-Lab. Do I need to format/erase it or something like that or should it burn when I put the blank DVD-R or DVD-RW into the burner just like a DVD+R does? Thanks for reading this post and for any help you can offer.

.....Gord

[aggies11]

Gord:

No. There are no additional steps. Especially for non erasable media. Treat -R just like you do +R, and vice versa.

Pop in a never before used -R, and pick "write" from whichever program you use. (No formatting is necessary for non erasable media).

If you are still having trouble, try another program, and possibly other media. A great (reliable, excellent quality) brand is Maxell 2x or 4x DVD-R media. You can pick up a small 5pk from futureshop or wallmart for 12.99.
Using these discs will definitely address any concerns about it being "inferior media".

For a good test, try a standard DVDDecrypter ISO copy (read, then write) of a single layer disc. That is a fairly straightforward (less things that can go wrong) test. If even *that* doesn't work, on good media, then it's definitely a problem (either with the system, or the burner).

HOpe that helps

Aggies

[GordRocks]

Thanks, Aggies
I have been using quality media including Memorex, Maxell & a number of other name brands with the same lack of success. I just picked up a new system which is working great except for this problem. I'll try again when I get home this evening. Perhaps your suggestion regarding a trial with DVDDecrypter will give me some idea what's wrong; we'll see. Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.

.....Gord

[Markie]

"I just picked up a new system which is working great except for this problem."

Is it by any chance an eMachines computer? Or any other computer with an NEC ND-1300a. I had a problem with DVD-R discs (though I didn't see if +R worked). I blamed it on the Sonic MyDVD trial I installed when I first got the computer, removing it fixed it. Unfortunately, I also uninstalled some preinstalled things in the same restart (like AOL and Compuserve) so I can't be sure it wasn't one of those things. iTunes also had CD problems, that required removing the card reader drivers and using Windows' generic drivers. Not directly related, but since it affected an ATAPI device, it may be something to look for (or driver issues in general, but note media card readers - certainly the eMachines and HP ones can cause CD drive issues, so you never know ).