dvd-rw vs. dvd+rw???

[jaimsite]

to all the gurus,

please enlighten me regarding which one (dvd-rw or dvd+rw) is the better hardware, in terms of compatibility of burnt dvds to play on dvd players, speed, and performance...

which brands should i look for? what kind of connection (ide, firewire or usb 2.0)?

thanks in advance...

[arklab]

Let me answer largely from ignorance – in other words, see what others have to say also.

I don't think there really is much difference any more to the world at large, but to people who already have DVD players there could be a lot of difference.
It seems some players like -R/-RW while others prefer +R/+RW.

I'd suggest checking our this page:
http://www.dvdrhelp.com/
And esp. this page:
http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvdplayers

If you own some players that "like" -R, and others that "like" +R, or you just don't know WHAT player you may want to buy NEXT year there seems to be a way our.

Buy a DUAL FORMAT DVD WRITER that will burn BOTH -R/-RW and +R/+RW!

Right now Sony's DRU500A and newer DRU500AX (about $350) are the only drives that can do it, but HP Lite-On and others have anounced.
These drives do about 2X in RW and 4X in R mode, faster than most single format drives.

[BuddhaTB]

Here's a compatibility List of DVD+R/RW with standalone DVD-video players
http://dvdplusrw.org/resources/compatib ... video.html

Here's a compatibility list of DVD+R/RW with DVD-ROM's
http://dvdplusrw.org/resources/compatib ... vdrom.html

[jaimsite]

thanks guys!

[Justin42]

I would definitely agree that a dual-format is the way to go. I have a DRU500A and have found I use the DVD-R discs for any DVD Video stuff I want to do (max compatibility), and DVD+R/RW discs for data and backup, since they burn faster (Especially +RW vs. -RW -- I still have to find a source for decent quality 2X -RW's).

I would be careful with dvdplusrw.org, they're the "official" webpage of the format (sponsored by the creators), so they will (of course) put it in the most favourable light. They're the only site listed when people claim DVD+R is more compatible, as they're about the only site with that finding. DVD-R is slightly more compatible with DVD players, especially older units (and even newer ones, my Xbox doesn't like DVD+R burned discs at all)...

dvdrhelp.com and the like are much better references since they're independent of anyone...

[Kennyshin]

I would definitely agree that a dual-format is the way to go. I have a DRU500A and have found I use the DVD-R discs for any DVD Video stuff I want to do (max compatibility), and DVD+R/RW discs for data and backup, since they burn faster (Especially +RW vs. -RW -- I still have to find a source for decent quality 2X -RW's).

I would be careful with dvdplusrw.org, they're the "official" webpage of the format (sponsored by the creators), so they will (of course) put it in the most favourable light. They're the only site listed when people claim DVD+R is more compatible, as they're about the only site with that finding. DVD-R is slightly more compatible with DVD players, especially older units (and even newer ones, my Xbox doesn't like DVD+R burned discs at all)...

dvdrhelp.com and the like are much better references since they're independent of anyone...

Don't spread lies please. Certainly, DVDRHelp.com has many more ad banners than DVDplusrW.org. Which of the two is more independent? Who created what? DVDplusRW.org was solely created by a Dutch individual called Jorg Kennis who has run the site since the summer of 2001. The official DVD+RW site is http://www.dvdrw.com and maybe you don't know how many posts at DVDplusRW.org forums were directly related to criticizing HP, Philips, Sony, Ricoh, DVD+RW Alliance, and other companies that make and sell DVD+RW products.

[Justin42]

Hrm, didn't realise that about dvdplusrw.org, was just saying what I believed to be the case. It was not my intention to "spread lies" as I didn't know it to be untrue.

The main point still stands, though, to watch out for ANY site claiming EITHER format superior-- there is a lot of money to be made for the "winning" standard, so there is a lot of misinformation flying. The only way to know what will work in your DVD players is to try out every format and see...