Can someone explain these various recordable DVD formats to me?

[Crazy Jayhawk]

DVD-R
DVD-RW
DVD+R
DVD+RW
DVD-RAM

DVD-RAM is the only one I know anything about. The funky plastic cartridges and the dots on the surface of the disc are rather strange looking.

But what about the rest of them? I know -R and +R are write once and -RW and +RW are not. What makes the - and + different?

[toastedzergling]

DVD-RAM: lots of rewrites, available a few years ago, doomed

DVD-R, DVD-RW: The standard for now, readable by most modern DVD players.

DVD+R, DVD+RW: A few companies (HP, Sony, Philips, etc) don't like the DVD-R standard, they make a new standard which is better (faster, more robust), hence the plus sign. However, DVD players won't play this.

Sony makes a DVD recorder that can write both DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and of course DVD-R, DVD+R, CD-RW, CD-R, it costs a lot though.

[ziptieboy]

Hey thanks, that answered questions I had also, good post Crazy and toasted

[Cullam3n]

Originally posted by toastedzergling

Sony makes a DVD recorder that can write both DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and of course DVD-R, DVD+R, CD-RW, CD-R, it costs a lot though.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=27-131-206

Gimme a $409. =)

-PC

[raven]

Originally posted by toastedzergling

DVD+R, DVD+RW: A few companies (HP, Sony, Philips, etc) don't like the DVD-R standard, they make a new standard which is better (faster, more robust), hence the plus sign. However, DVD players won't play this.


just to clarify something that i heard. + and - formats will play on dvd players. Or so ive read on these forums.

[toastedzergling]

Originally posted by raven


just to clarify something that i heard. + and - formats will play on dvd players. Or so ive read on these forums.

You are right: here is the rundown again:

DVD-R and DVD-RW
DVD-R/W was the first DVD recording format released that was compatible with standalone DVD Players.
DVD-R is a none rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 87% of all DVD Players and DVD-ROMs.
DVD-RW is a rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 68% of all DVD Players and DVD-ROMs.
DVD-R/W supports single side 4.7 GB* DVDs(called DVD-5) and double side 9.4 GB* DVDs(called DVD-10).
These formats are supported by DVDForum.

DVD+R and DVD+RW
DVD+R/W has some better features than DVD-R/W such as lossless linking and both CAV and CLV writing.
DVD+R is a none rewritable format and it is compatible with about 81% of all DVD Players and DVD-ROMs.
DVD+RW is a rewritable format and is compatible with about 68% of all DVD Players and DVD-ROMs.
DVD+R/W supports single side 4.7 GB* DVDs(called DVD-5) and double side 9.4 GB* DVDs(called DVD-10).
These formats are supported by the DVD+RW Alliance.

DVD-RAM
DVD-RAM has the best recording features but it is not compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD-Video players. Think more of it as a removable hard disk. This format is supported by DVDForum.

Benefits of DVD+RW over DVD-RW: (PR stuff from DVD+RW alliance)

Quick Formatting
Blank DVD+RW/+R disks can be formatted within seconds for immediate use.

Edit Directly On the DVD disc
Lossless-linking technology enables you to perform basic editing tasks right on the disc.

No need to reload all your DVD contents back to your PC to make minor changes
No need to re-burn an entire DVD after making small edits

Speed
DVD+RW/+R format writes 2.4 times faster than competing DVD rewritable formats - giving you the power to burn an hour's worth of video in less than 25 minutes!

DVD+RW Alliance Members:

Dell | HP | Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation | Philips Electronics
Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Sony Corporation | Thomson multimedia
Yamaha Corporation

[Crazy Jayhawk]

Hmm... looks like a "+" DVD burner would be the one to look for.

[ArBiTaL 24]

Originally posted by Cullam3n


http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=27-131-206

Gimme a $409. =)

-PC

OMG i am GETTING THAT DRIVE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!:drool::drool::drool:

[The Spyder]

NO - Out of Stock
no your not :)

[ArBiTaL 24]

Damn....
i'm gonna have to search the web for somewhere else that sells them ;)

I MUST HAVE ONE OF THESE DRIVES!!!!!!!!
(or maybe i'll wait a bit until they drop in price :p)

[Crazy Jayhawk]

Originally posted by Cullam3n


http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=27-131-206

Gimme a $409. =)

-PC That's for the external USB model. The internal IDE version is about $40 cheaper.

[ArBiTaL 24]

LOL- external USB CD-R/RW/DVD-R/DVD-RW/DVD+R/DVD+RW/DVD-rom/CD-rom reader writer.

Is it a joke or is it a dream? :p

[Cullam3n]

Originally posted by Crazy Jayhawk
That's for the external USB model. The internal IDE version is about $40 cheaper.

Thanks.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=27-131-205

-PC