[Resolved] DVD Writing Question

[The Hobo]

I'm looking at DVD writers to buy...what's all this?

DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R DL

I'm assuming R means write and rw means re-write...but what's with the + and -, and what's DL?

[NoteMe]

Not sure about the DL...but the + and - is two diffrent formats. I am not good with DVD burners for PC, but since I am working with TV, VHS DVD and so on at work I can tell you a bit from my point of view.

+ and - is two diffrent methods to code the same thing. If you have a + writer then you can't read it with a - reader, and so on. + is not better then - and the other way. They have the same info on it in the end (there is small diffrences, but nothing to get stuck on)...in the "TV" world now days most of the companies uses -. Poineer, Panasonic, JVC, and I think Sony is using it. The biggest company that uses + is Philips, so they are pretty much alone at the moment, with less known companies behind them. Panasonic also have their own format. It is called RAM, and from what I have read it looks like the best format, but it is more or less only Panasonic that is using it. So forget about it.

I have heard rumours about + starting to take over in the PC world even if - is most used on DVD players for TV (at least that is what is happening in Europe, not sure about the guys over sea).

So if I where you I would go for Pioneer or something that can both write and read + and -. Thats the only way you can win the battle, and it isn't much more expencive...

[NoteMe]

Ohhh...offf course...DL...it is DOuble Layered......that means that you can Read? Write depends on what they wrote in front of it double layered DVDs. They can hold nearly twice the capacity of a normal DVD.


Bare in mind that alllllllll movie DVDs that you have is DL...

[Ideas Man]

DVD-RAM was the only format that supported Random Access much like a HDD. It was part of the - clan but was dropped because it was very expensive, which is a real pity, because it functions like a HDD i.e. Random access.

Another difference was that + was to be more reliable or something like that.

[dglienna]

never heard of DLL, and my computer -/+ burner plays bought movies quite nicely, or it used to before it decided to hang and not open the drive bay.

[NoteMe]

Originally posted by dglienna
never heard of DLL, and my computer -/+ burner plays bought movies quite nicely, or it used to before it decided to hang and not open the drive bay.

DLL? Or do you mean DL? All movies are DL, most (probably all) can read them, but only the newest of the new can write to them. And I have no idea what they cost of a DL DVD is today. We don't have them at work yet....Norway is slow..

[Ideas Man]

Actually, depending on your model, it can most probably write dual-layer discs w/ just a firmware upgrade. I know the most recent Lite-On drives can do it w/ just a firmware upgrade, not sure how many drives this is the case w/ but best to check w/ the manufacturer of your drive.

[NoteMe]

One of my friends tried to make his DVD player zone 0. And he had to do a firmware upgrade. And when he did that the power went out in his house....never made that DVD player start again..

[dglienna]

sorry. typo. i didn't know about dual layering. will look at it for my new dvd burner.