Procedures for different formats

[ann]

I've got a DVD+R/RW recorder, and I use DVD+RW discs that I then rip on the computer, lightly edit and then burn on to DVD+R. I then erase the DVD+RW disc and put it back in the stack waiting to be shuffled through the recorder. I usually only record one item per disc and then rip the video.

But those who own DVD-R/RW recorders, do they have to finalize even the DVD-RW discs before playing on the computer?

That has to be a bit inconvenient?

Those of you who use the DVD-R/RW recorders, what are your regular procedures for recording and editing?

[Daryl Maskell]

I've got a DVD+R/RW recorder, and I use DVD+RW discs that I then rip on the computer, lightly edit and then burn on to DVD+R. I then erase the DVD+RW disc and put it back in the stack waiting to be shuffled through the recorder. I usually only record one item per disc and then rip the video.

But those who own DVD-R/RW recorders, do they have to finalize even the DVD-RW discs before playing on the computer?

That has to be a bit inconvenient?

Those of you who use the DVD-R/RW recorders, what are your regular procedures for recording and editing?

Hi Ann,

The main or best advantage of the +(Plus) format is the fact that a +RW disk does not require "Fomatting" prior to use nor does it require "finalising" after use, which are both time comsuming.

A +(Plus) r/w disk can be inserted into a standalone set top recorder, recorded to, then taken out and played straight away on a friends dvd player much like a standard vcr tape.

A -(Minus) r/w disk requires formatting prior to use and then after recording requires "finalising" before it can be watched on another dvd player.

Hope this helps

Regards

Daryl

[ann]

Thanks. But after finalizing a DVD-RW, it can't be erased again, or?

[daamon]

Thanks. But after finalizing a DVD-RW, it can't be erased again, or?

Yes, I've authored to DVD-RW (and so, I guess, the disk has been finalised). I've then erased the disk many times and re-recorded on it again.

[Frobozz]

There's no problem re-initializing and reusing a DVD-RW disc after it has been finalized. Initializing and finalizing a DVD-RW takes less than a minute each so it isn't much of a burden. My Pioneer unit also can un-finalize a DVD-RW.

[ckwok1]

But those who own DVD-R/RW recorders, do they have to finalize even the DVD-RW discs before playing on the computer?

That has to be a bit inconvenient?

Those of you who use the DVD-R/RW recorders, what are your regular procedures for recording and editing?

This is a difficult question to answer because the answer depends on other factors too.

First, in the DVD-RW world, there are two formats to consider : DVD-Video and DVD-VR. Furthermore, the answer also depends on the software on the computer.

DVD-Video format:
o Formatting -- yes, because you need to select DVD-Video or DVD-VR format. I remember it is about 2 minutes but it also depends on the speed of the drive. I also feel that it is faster on subsequent format but I haven't actually time it.

o Finalize -- yes. The time required depends on the length of the content recorded. It can be more than 10 minutes on a 2X drive with a disc full of data.

o Finalize before playing back on the computer -- basically yes but it also depends on the software you are using. Finalize a disk means closing a session on the computer. Windows cannot read a session which is still open. But the data is there and it is possible to write a program to read the data and play back the video. You can use Nero to read the disc and find a opened session. However, up to now, I don't know any program that can play back the video in an opened session.

DVD-VR format:
o Formatting -- yes, same as DVD-Video format

o Finalize -- yes and no. A finalized DVD-VR disc is supposed to be able to let it play on a DVD player that supports DVD-VR format but I don't know whether there are any standalone DVD player that supports DVD-VR format.

o Finalize before playing back on the computer -- DVD-VR is formatted in UDF 2.1. All the software I know that supports DVD-VR format does not require you to finalize it. Those softwares include cyberlink PowerDVD, latest version of most Ulead softwares.

There's no problem re-initializing and reusing a DVD-RW disc after it has been finalized. Initializing and finalizing a DVD-RW takes less than a minute each so it isn't much of a burden. My Pioneer unit also can un-finalize a DVD-RW.

My JVC can also un-finalize a DVD-RW.

[ann]

Thanks. Cleared up my questions beautifully!

[PGirard]

So what software do you use to format DVD - RW.

[mats.hogberg]

Most apps that write to DVD-RW also formats it.

/Mats