Multimedia forum: DVD-R vs DVD-RW vs DVD+R - which one???

I use DVD-RW to back up large files, writing over
them several times. At first they work fine but often
after 2 or 3 rewrites they give a sector read error
when validating the disc after burning with Nero.
Of course they all get the little scratches that used
discs do but I have tried polishing them with no
success. And I have used different brands of discs.
I have read that you can rewrite up to 1000
times but if the data is corrupt what good is it?

If you plan to use any editing software, RW is a cheaper way to get the first generation into editable format on your PC. Many of us don't want hour after hour of boring unedited video to drag our family or friends through.

So, I record my Hi-8/VHS/etc. tape onto RW, take it to the PC, edit with any of myriad software (Ebay has *awesome* prices on prior generations of all the popular video editors like Pinnacle Studio and Cyberlink PowerDirector --think $10 or so!) and then burn onto a final output DVD in either -R or +R depending on where it's going.

RW works best for this since you can reuse this disk. My experience is I can get RW almost anytime I want for about 3 times the cost of single use +R/-R, so if you think you might re-use it more than 3 times, go with RW!

Here's a quote I found on HP's website (wish I bookmarked the page when I found it)

"An independent study done by Intellikey found the DVD+R / DVD+RW format to be more compatible with consumer DVD players than the DVD-R / DVD-RW format."

I had the same question because our company training videos need to be as universal as possible.

Your statement applies if everyone has a new player.
-R will work in more player both old and New

This is not a recent change.

The reason is, is that DVD-ROM can be played on all standalone players. So if you happen to go play the DVD on your relatives player, it will play.

Of course, you will need to find out if your burner can booktype to DVD-ROM.

BTW, +R are the only type media that can be booktyped, that's why I recommend them over -R.

I have a Benq-1640 burner which automactically booktypes to DVD-ROM.

Good luck

different matter. Newer players can use either format. Older players are most likely to work with -R if they do not support both types.

dvd-rw isn't used. For one they're expensive and the dvd-rw itself is expensive too. Once you've got the dvd burnt what good will it do to take it off ... thats a lot of work to just be erasing off the disk. however in the case of dvd-r and dvd+r i wouldn't know. i'd probably stick with dvd-r

Although you may want to use "RW" (eraseable) media for a test burn to avoid possibly ruining one-time media, your final burn should be on one-time media. RW media has poor long-term stability, and if you use it, the data may "fade" over time, and you may find that at sometime in the future (perhaps years from now) you can't read it. So that eliminates both +RW and -RW media for the final burn.

As to + vs -, there is no single answer; some set-top DVD players can read + only, some can read - only, and some (most, fortunately) can read both. So it's best to know the characteristics of the players with which you will want to read the DVD. However, other things being equal and with no other knowledge of the situation, I have found "-" media to be generally very slightly more compatible than "+" media, and also a bit cheaper and more reliable.

Just finished handing out about 50 Dvds to co-workers, with this years Christmas Party Slideshow made with Sony's Click to DVD.....Came out wonderfully, and I used DVD+R discs to replicate the slide show.....every disc burned perfectly, and there were none that didn't play in co-workers home DVD players.....DVD+R seem to burn faster than DVD-R.
I've used both but DVD+R seems to be more consistently error free.

My LiteOn DVD recorder came with 2 pamphlets that indicated with which brands of which medium it was most compatible. One pamphlet was for CDs and the other DVDs. There were 4 sections in that DVD pamphlet: DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW. The largest section was that of the DVD+R. There were 47 different discs, although some were from the same brand, but there were distinctions between the speeds at which the discs could be recorded, e.g. Nanya DVD+R NANYA CLX 8.0x and NANYA DVD+R NAN YA ALX 16.0x. Further, there were more discs for DVD+RW than for DVD-RW (14 to 6, respectively).

Maybe there was just bias on LiteOn's part, choosing to be more compatible to DVD+R/RW than to DVD-R/RW. Then again, the DVD-R section had 36 discs (36 divided by 47 = 77% comparison). Then again, that's just one DVD recorder from one brand.

In terms of having discs not being able to be burnt, I always (along with an entire online forum of DVD writers) burn at 4.0X. Doesn't take that much longer, and takes away from the whole DVD+R versus DVD-R. Consider that argument abolished. I've burnt both at 4.0x and they're all fine.

Your issue is summed up in looking into the packaging that came with your DVD player. If there is no comparable pamphlet, check the company's website for further support. Other than that, I've said all I can.

</25cents>

This will really help.

http://www.videohelp.com/dvd

In terms of compatability:

1) DVD+R booktyped to DVD-ROM
2) DVD-R
3) DVD+R

Only select burners can booktype a DVD+R blank disk to DVD-ROM, these are BenQ, NEC to name a few.

Also, as with burners, only a few companies actually make DVD blank media. Usually a program such as DVD Info Pro, or NERO will give you this information. If you go to CDfreaks.com you can read thousands of post concerning disk quality and disk durability. The general consensus is that Taiyo Yuden (Made in Japan) is the best, followed by Verbatum. http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=146146

Taiyo Yuden is typically rebadged as TDK, Sony, Fuji to name a few. These companies also rebadge media made by other companies, so the only sure way of getting the right media is to check for the Made in Japan label.

Verbatum is easier to purchase, the quality might not be as good as Taiyo Yuden, but some argue that it degrades less with time.

The key lesson here is that you cannot just go out and buy Memorex, Maxwell, Sony etc. Each of these companies just repackages media made by other companies (mostly made in Taiwan, India etc). This results in having mixed results with each spindle you buy. Some companies such as Ritek used to make excellent blank media, however in the last few years based on what I've read the quality has gone down significantly.

If you really are interested, suggest you go to cdfreaks.com for more info.

You likely don't care to watch next week's episode of Desparate Housewives more than once (with apologies to those out there that do want to...).

Reading this: http://tinyurl.com/d97sq

tells me to hold off buying a DVD RECORDER.

Can I buy a DVR PLAYER, plug it into my VCR, copy it?