dvd-r vs dvd+r
 

hello, can anyone explain the big difference between dvd-r and +r? is it just 2 different technologies? i'm thinking about buying a burner, should i get one that supports both?

i'm seeing drives that burn +r at 8x and -r only at 4x, what is up with this?

thanks

I couldn't remember exactly what the differences were off hand at the moment so I looked it up for you. Google is your friend.

Click the link here for the info.

The + format seems to be more expensive, but the - format is more widely used.

Back when I bought my DVD burner, I got the Sony DRU 500a, because it supported ALL formats, but now that I've had it for a year or so, I've NEVER needed to use the + format. Not that there's anything wrong with it, other than price.

I think you'd be safe with a -/-rw drive, but then again, you wouldn't be able to view dvds that were recorded by friends or whatever in the + format. (Not that that would happen every day).

it's like video recorders back in the olde days... VHS, Betamax, Video2000... all recorders, all different formats.

DVD's are a bit less dramatic. First we had DVDs, then DVD-Rs, then DVD+Rs with some technical innovations. Today, most DVD players will read both formats, but this depends on the brand, and whether they actively support one of the two sides.

I'd say that DVD+Rs are better, because they burn faster and have build-in "seamless link". DVD+Rs do not have to be more expensive; that depends on the brand, and even the country (variable extra taxes).

Generally speaking, if you have a newish DVD player (<2 years), you'd be safe to go for either a + burner, a - burner, or a +/- burner. The price difference is pretty slim these days.

They all work fine for me. I burn to the dvd-r format as the +r offered no real benefit. The +r is for masters and the -r is for, hey, I am rambling go <a href="http://www.dvdirect.com/TSS/charts/DVDFormats.htm">here</a> for a very concise explanation of the dvd media types.