DVD Media: -R/RW vs +R/RW

[freeloader]

I'm getting close to jumping for my first DVD burner. I've looked through this forum and others, gone through explanations of what each of the formats are and I'm still confused about one thing:

My primary reason for going to DVD is to archive many, many large data files. I'll probably also use it to back up full partitions from my h/d's. I only use VHS to tape broadcast and cable programs that I don't have the time to see when they're aired. Recording or copying movies is of little interest. So, I don't see me doing much with movies on DVDs, although who knows what the future will bring.

What I'd like to know is if there are any real conciderations to be made in choosing between the - or + formats for recording data to the R and RW media types? Is either more suited for that type of application? My feeling is that it doesn't really make any difference. Can anyone enlighten me?
Thx for any help on this one.

[vio_man]

I'm getting close to jumping for my first DVD burner. I've looked through this forum and others, gone through explanations of what each of the formats are and I'm still confused about one thing:

My primary reason for going to DVD is to archive many, many large data files. I'll probably also use it to back up full partitions from my h/d's. I only use VHS to tape broadcast and cable programs that I don't have the time to see when they're aired. Recording or copying movies is of little interest. So, I don't see me doing much with movies on DVDs, although who knows what the future will bring.

What I'd like to know is if there are any real conciderations to be made in choosing between the - or + formats for recording data to the R and RW media types? Is either more suited for that type of application? My feeling is that it doesn't really make any difference. Can anyone enlighten me?
Thx for any help on this one.

While DVD-R media is cheaper than DVD+R, the DVD+R/+RW technology is superior. Check this link http://www.dvdrw.com/customerbenefits.html

[Kennyshin]

In other words, while DVD+RW is superior, DVD-R is cheaper. Of course, to say so is wrong as the former is rewritable while the latter is write-once.

Buy both (like myself and VEFF.)

[freeloader]

Thx guys.
One thing I forgot in my original post is that another use for the media is, if decent auto DVD players are available yet, to make compiliations of music tracks from vinyl and CD albums for use in my vehicles.

It seems to me that I've read somewhere that the long formating time the -R/RW media is supposed to require can be made equivelent to the shorter +R/RW either by software and/or burner capability. Is that so? If so, then the -R format's lower prices would make it very atractive for the data archiving and music compiliations. The +RW would be best for the backups and similar uses where the stored data needs to be updated and changed with time. Would you agree with this?
Thx again for your help on this.

[Kennyshin]

Partly.

For rewriting, DVD+RW 2.4x media are best among

CD-RW 4x
CD-RW 8x
CD-RW 10x
CD-RW 12x
CD-RW 16x
CD-RW 24x
DVD-RW 1x
DVD-RW 2x (rarely available)
DVD+RW 2.4x (now available for under $2)

For write-once, DVD-R 1x to 2x media are best because there are $0.55 and $0.8 DVD-R media while I haven't yet seen any DVD+R (2.4x minimum) media for under $1. It could change in the future though.

Ritek, CMC, Princo, Lead Data, BeAll, and other companies began producing DVD-R media earlier than DVD+R because there were only DVD-R writer drives such as Pioneer DVR-A03 and Panasonic DVD-R/-RAM. The first DVD+R writers appeared approximately 10 months ago. DVD+R and DVD+RW media are relatively cheaper in the US market where Dell and HP have been selling DVD+R/+RW and DVD+RW writer drives. DVD+RW market share in South Korea is less than 10% I guess mainly because the two companies dividing the market have produced only drives that can write to DVD-R, DVD-RW, and/or DVD-RW. In Japan, NEC and Ricoh produce DVD+R drives while Pioneer and Toshiba make DVD-R/-RW drives and Panasonic (Matsushita) and Hitachi make DVD-R/-RW/-RAM drives. In Taiwan, since the low-cost media manufacturers are largly based in Taiwan, the most available and cheapest media are DVD-R.