DVD-R vs. DVD+R

[Psionicist]

There are no practical difference whatsoever for people like you and me. DVD-R are slightly more compatible (89% of the stand alone players support DVD-R compared to 85% that support DVD+R or something like that), and DVD+R are considered to be slightly better engineered. That's it.

Question:
What is the difference between the DVD-R and DVD+R formats?

Answer:
DVD-R (pronounced "DVD dash R") and DVD+R (pronounced "DVD plus R") are nearly identical formats. The discs look the same and are both supported by most DVD-ROM drives and DVD burners. The only difference between the formats is the way they determine the location of the laser beam on the disc. DVD-R discs use tiny marks along the grooves in the discs, called land prepits, to determine the laser position. DVD+R discs do not have land prepits, but instead measure the "wobble frequency" as the laser moves toward the outside of the disc.

The DVD-R format was developed by Pioneer and was released in the second half of 1997. DVD+R was developed by Sony and Philips and was introduced in 2002. Companies that support DVD-R include Pioneer, Toshiba, Hitachi, and Panasonic, while companies that support DVD+R include Sony, Philips, Hewlett-Packard, Ricoh, and Yamaha.

However, most of these companies now develop hybrid DVD drives that support both DVD-R and DVD+R formats. They are known as DVD±R or DVD±RW drives. When looking for media for your DVD drive, make sure it ends in "-R" if you have a DVD-R drive or "+R" if you have a DVD+R drive. If you have a DVD±R drive, you can use either format. DVD-R is still more popular than DVD+R, but since they are both widely supported, it should not matter which format you choose.

 

[trancejeremy]

Strangely enough (and I don't know if this is true for Canada), but Circuit City has the cheapest prices on blank DVDs (+Rs and -Rs). Usually 25 for $8 US or so. For a while it was 15 for $4. (Circuit City is not particularly cheap on anything else, though)

 

[Bront]

Newer recorders and players will read and write to both, but older ones often can only read one (or neither) format.

-R was the initial leader in compatibility and market support, but +R caught up about 2 years ago, and has now surpassed it. I believe there is some uber-technical reason that +R is better, but it's not a big issue for most people, and likely nothing you'll ever have to deal with.

 

[Psychic Warrior]

OK guys - I think I've got it. Thanks for all the input. Even though my DVD player that I want to use for burned DVDs is fairly new I think i will take rreveals advice and get some + and - DVDR's and see which one(s) work best. Then buy them in bulk. Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Arnwyn]

The DVD-R format was developed by Pioneer and was released in the second half of 1997. DVD+R was developed by Sony and Philips and was introduced in 2002. Companies that support DVD-R include Pioneer, Toshiba, Hitachi, and Panasonic, while companies that support DVD+R include Sony, Philips, Hewlett-Packard, Ricoh, and Yamaha.

This is ironic, considering what Sony's PS2 reads...