DVD-R or DVD+R ?

Kevin C Brown · 07-26-2005, 11:59 PM

I am just getting into DVD recording. I haven't yet seen an answer to this one yet (or ... maybe I haven't looked hard enough yet

).

What are the differences between these two?

If I get a recorder that can record both, any advantage to one or the other? Compatibility with DVD players? Cost of media? Is the media the same, just a different format?

Thanks!

Fredster · 07-27-2005, 06:10 AM

There is no essential feature difference as far as I know. The -R format is much more likely to play in other DVD players though. I think that's also true for the -RW format.

Good info here:
http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/...sExplained.asp

or go google....

Steve Phillips · 07-27-2005, 04:21 PM

Most any DVD player made in the 21st Century is going to play DVD-R, DVD+R and DVD+RW. (DVD-RW is actually much less compatible, especially with recordings made in "VR" mode.)

There are many DVD drives and DVD recorders that will handle both the "dash or minus" and "plus" platforms for recording, too. Check out recent Sony and Panasonic models.

Kevin C Brown · 07-27-2005, 07:57 PM

Awesome. I did some google searching, and found exactly the same thing as what you both say. Thanks.

At least one reference I found said that +R material was more expensive than -R, but I don't know if that might have been an old data point. I get my recorder later this week, and then I'll go look for prices on the media.

Steve Phillips · 07-28-2005, 09:50 AM

There is no difference in price, at least in the Las Vegas area.

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Kevin C Brown · 07-28-2005, 07:43 PM

Yeah, I just checked BB today, and same price. Probably an older data point from when +R was newer.

MikeySmith · 07-29-2005, 08:04 AM

I have had much more success with +R playing in my various dvd players. Way too many issues with the -R

MikeySmith · 07-29-2005, 08:05 AM

also it seems to be harder to get -R these days. (not that I want them

)

Kevin C Brown · 07-29-2005, 07:35 PM

Interesting. I just got a batch of -R's, but I'm not married to them. Will have to definitely test them out on the players that I can find. Thanks.

JohnRice · 07-30-2005, 06:21 PM

Quote:

The -R format is much more likely to play in other DVD players though. I think that's also true for the -RW format.

It really seems to just be a slight difference in compatibility. So small as to be insignificant. It think it is a bit more of a difference on RW media, with + having the advantage.

As far as prices, at retail stores it almost always seems to be the same for both formats, but -R is often cheaper online. -RW also seems to be almost always more expensive, and rather difficult to find. I have burned a couple hundred +R media and at least 3 or 4 hundred -R and find absolutely no difference in compatibility. MikeySmith, I suspect your issues with - media are due to something other than the format.