dvd+r vs. dvd-r- the difference?

[impostal22]

i'm looking into getting a burner, and see that there's dvd+r and dvd-r, and am curious what the difference is. anyone?

[digitard]

I'd suggest getting a DVD+- drive and get both

Actually... wait about 1 1/2 months and SONY is releasing a new DUAL LAYER burner for about 250. Its a bit slower than current burners (2x speed) but it can write on their (and other peoples) new dual layer discs so you can fit a LOT more data on them, as well as they're very compatable with just about all DVD players from what I was reading.

I'm getting one to create the DVD's for my video project. Yes it will take a bit longer than other DVD's but the capacity enhance allows a LOT more to be done.

[impostal22]

alright...but what's the difference between dvd+r and dvd-r? i know burners can do both, but i wanna know the difference. also, what's dual layer?

[Beemer]

[Beemer]

[Ironmag]

Here is a diagram of the dual layer in action.

[impostal22]

using those definitions of dvd+r and dvd-r, why would anyone ever use dvd-r over dvd+r? i saw them in the store and they dvd's are the same price, but the dvd+r's are obviously more compatible with more dvd players than dvd-r's. what's the dilly?


edit- thanks for all the info everyone

edit2- when are these new dual layer dvd+r's supposed to start hitting the market?

[fire1811]

i have a dual format burner and have been using -r media for the most part since it was cheaper.

but i have a 8x burner now and +r is cheaper so thats what i am using. in my experiance i have found that -r is more compatible then +r

i have only found one dvd player that my backups will not play in and it was very old.

either way i would choose a dual format until the industry decides which way it will swing

[digitard]

Sony's dual layer is "supposed" to be this month I believe. Media is a bit more expensive for it, but the capacity is higher.

[impostal22]

Originally posted by digitard
Sony's dual layer is "supposed" to be this month I believe. Media is a bit more expensive for it, but the capacity is higher.

it appears that dual layer are going to need separate burners too, because the format requires a special laser that can "see" through the first layer of data.

[digitard]

Yes... Sony's dual layer burner, which is what I was talking about, is coming out this month supposably. It is suppoed to retail for about 275ish and it will be able to utilize dual layer discs.

[fire1811]

sony said some time ago that it MIGHT be only a firmware upgrade to get your burner to dual layer.
i really dont think they would do this just because it would hurt there sales. but i never did hear either way.

[digitard]

The articles I was reading online seemed to state that Sony is releasing a new burner, and that there weren't any firmware upgrades.

I could see in a while when it becomes popular to offer some, but not at release.

[digitard]

I tracked down a good article on the Sony drives if you want more info.

http://news.com.com/2100-1041_3-5174122.html

[Ironmag]

Originally posted by impostal22


it appears that dual layer are going to need separate burners too, because the format requires a special laser that can "see" through the first layer of data.

I'm about 99.9% sure that all dvd players can read dual layer discs. Just pop in just about any dvd movie disc into your computer dvd drive and you'll notice it's more than just 4.7 gb, it's usually more like 7-8 gb on most movie discs. That's why you get that momentary pause in the middle of most movies, it's the laser switching position to read the other layer. Now the question is whether or not the already released dvd burners can burn onto the dual layer discs with the components already inside or does it need an extra set of gears to move the laser while recording. Although it would be great that all that would be needed would be a firmware upgrade, I highly doubt that the companies would make it that simple.*crosses fingers*

I my experience, I've had better luck with dvd-r than dvd+r since I have both a PC (with a dual format dvd burner) and a Mac (with the superdrive) and the dvd+r's don't seem to work that well or at all with the Mac drives. I still buy and support the dvd-r format over the dvd+r format. It's basically corporate greed that drives this format war with the different format groups not wanting to lose out on royalties tied to their respective format.