What is the difference between recordable DVDs? -R vs +R

[xultar]

I don't know. I'm just getting into the whole groove on this thing and I wanna do things right.

[Goldom]

1. for all usage i have found

-none-. They are simply made by different standards. If you have a recorder that can record either, and a player that can play either, it should make no difference. Do check that though, cause a lot will only write to/read one type.
DVD-R is regulated by the DVD Forum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_Forum)
while DVD+R is by the DVD+RW Alliance (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_plus_RW_Alliance)

[Deja Q]

2. How the data is recorded...

+R format is newer and technologically superior... I used to have a web link bookmarked discussing the two...

-R has been around longer and is more compatible (though +R is catching up)

I typically buy players that SAY ON THE BOX that BOTH formats work.

I burn to both and usually prefer +R standard. But others prefer -R just because it's been around (sigh, more twits... Just like VHS/Beta all over again; beta losing out because its top storage space was 5.25 hrs despite having a vastly superior image quality...)

[ovidsen]

8. Beta lost because of Sony stupidity

Betamax was offed by VHS because while JVC licensed VHS to anyone with a garage, Sony wouldn't let anyone make Betamax decks. So even though Betamax had a far better picture, it lost because it was marketed so badly. Of course, this is all academic now since DVDs are superior to any tape format. (But I still love my SuperBeta HiFi!)

It's similar to the story behind MS-DOS/Windows dominance over Apple. Gates&Co licensed MS-DOS and Windows to anyone. Apple didn't. So even though the MAC OS family is clearly superior to the stuff Microsoft offers, guess who dominates?

Ah well, I'm off topic. I just had to gripe... :7

[sir_captain]

3. two different technologies

there used to be some differences in terms of which was more compatible playing in regular dvd players but at this point it's about the same. DVD-R blanks tend to be a little bit cheaper. Most DVD burners can burn both, nowadays, but you should check yours (if you have one already) and make sure. If you're buying a burner, get one that can do both.

The biggest key is getting good media. The consensus is that the best lower-priced brand is Taiyo Yuden, followed by Ritek.

Hope that helps.

[Goldom]

4. 2nd on brand suggestion-

I used to use whatever discs I could find, until a Memorex CD-R I had started literally falling apart while being played. I got Yuden CD-Rs, and have had no problem whatsoever with them at all. I also use Ritek's DVD- and DVD+ Rs, (I got both at first, to see if either worked better with my hardware... they were both fine) and have had no problems there either.

[sir_captain]

6. Yep, Memorex is the worst

And their DVDs are even worse than their CDs

[Goldom]

7. I liked them for a long time

and til that one, used them tons before any trouble. I still have memorex CD-rs from maybe 5 years ago now, that work flawlessly. (Admittedly, I also like how they have the ones with different color surfaces...) But the unused ones of theirs I still have that have been sitting around a long time seem to have.. kind of become almost clear. I was listening to one a day after it was burned, and when I took it out there was a little spot on the top of it.. I tried to scratch it off, thinking it was dirt, but realized it was actually a hole when my touching it tore it wide open.

[MrScorpio]

5. One plays on my Mac and the other one doesn't

I've got a 25 pack of DVD+RW.

I can bring them to DC in Sept. They're yours for the asking.