DVD-R vs DVD-RW vs DVD+R - which one???

Here's a quote I found on HP's website (wish I bookmarked the page when I found it)

"An independent study done by Intellikey found the DVD+R / DVD+RW format to be more compatible with consumer DVD players than the DVD-R / DVD-RW format."

I had the same question because our company training videos need to be as universal as possible.

I was wondering the very same thing about 8 months ago when buying a new computer. In short, DVD+R has better compatibility because you can change the Booktype field (this is the part of the disk that tells the player "hey, I am a cd-r, or DVD-r, or better yet, a DVD-Rom) from DVD+R to DVD-ROM, however this cannot be changed with a DVD-R. But there is some caveat, not all dvd burners are able to change the book type field! Or some can, but not with the original firmware (the software for the burner that tells the burner how to operate) so you will need to find some hacked firmware. I finally opted for the NEC 3500 and then found a hacked firmware.
Now, if you are not up to this, the DVD-R has probably the best compatibility without making any changes.

this web site helped me: http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/150

Hope this helped!

The reason is, is that DVD-ROM can be played on all standalone players. So if you happen to go play the DVD on your relatives player, it will play.

Of course, you will need to find out if your burner can booktype to DVD-ROM.

BTW, +R are the only type media that can be booktyped, that's why I recommend them over -R.

I have a Benq-1640 burner which automactically booktypes to DVD-ROM.

Good luck

dvd-rw isn't used. For one they're expensive and the dvd-rw itself is expensive too. Once you've got the dvd burnt what good will it do to take it off ... thats a lot of work to just be erasing off the disk. however in the case of dvd-r and dvd+r i wouldn't know. i'd probably stick with dvd-r

Although you may want to use "RW" (eraseable) media for a test burn to avoid possibly ruining one-time media, your final burn should be on one-time media. RW media has poor long-term stability, and if you use it, the data may "fade" over time, and you may find that at sometime in the future (perhaps years from now) you can't read it. So that eliminates both +RW and -RW media for the final burn.

As to + vs -, there is no single answer; some set-top DVD players can read + only, some can read - only, and some (most, fortunately) can read both. So it's best to know the characteristics of the players with which you will want to read the DVD. However, other things being equal and with no other knowledge of the situation, I have found "-" media to be generally very slightly more compatible than "+" media, and also a bit cheaper and more reliable.

I would absolutely reccomend you go DVD-R. After trials and tribulations awhile ago backing up some VHS tapes, I found that DVD-R will work on almost any player where as DVD+R may not. DVD-RW is a fine way also if your gonna edit or change it alot. One caveat is a good burner and media is paramount. In my experience TDK has been the best on both fronts. Also, Ritek makes some of the best and least expensive media, especially in bulk packs. You'll get few if any hockey pucks using these materials.

Just finished handing out about 50 Dvds to co-workers, with this years Christmas Party Slideshow made with Sony's Click to DVD.....Came out wonderfully, and I used DVD+R discs to replicate the slide show.....every disc burned perfectly, and there were none that didn't play in co-workers home DVD players.....DVD+R seem to burn faster than DVD-R.
I've used both but DVD+R seems to be more consistently error free.

DVD-R is the oldest standard. However, DVD+R is making a solid stand. At present about 92% of all stand-a-lone DVD players can play DVD-R without any troubles. About 88% can play DVD+R disc.

When I was producing professional how-to videos, I always used DVD-R disc for mass distribution. About 99% of the DVD drives in computers today can read both DVD+R and DVD-R disc.

If you are using the computer to produce your DVD disc, may I suggest "MyDVD" by Sonic. It makes great home movies (and even commercial how-to vids) from your MPEG-2 files.

When I produced a training video for my First Responders (Police & Fire) here in Texas, I used DVD-R for maximum compatibility.

My LiteOn DVD recorder came with 2 pamphlets that indicated with which brands of which medium it was most compatible. One pamphlet was for CDs and the other DVDs. There were 4 sections in that DVD pamphlet: DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW. The largest section was that of the DVD+R. There were 47 different discs, although some were from the same brand, but there were distinctions between the speeds at which the discs could be recorded, e.g. Nanya DVD+R NANYA CLX 8.0x and NANYA DVD+R NAN YA ALX 16.0x. Further, there were more discs for DVD+RW than for DVD-RW (14 to 6, respectively).

Maybe there was just bias on LiteOn's part, choosing to be more compatible to DVD+R/RW than to DVD-R/RW. Then again, the DVD-R section had 36 discs (36 divided by 47 = 77% comparison). Then again, that's just one DVD recorder from one brand.

In terms of having discs not being able to be burnt, I always (along with an entire online forum of DVD writers) burn at 4.0X. Doesn't take that much longer, and takes away from the whole DVD+R versus DVD-R. Consider that argument abolished. I've burnt both at 4.0x and they're all fine.

Your issue is summed up in looking into the packaging that came with your DVD player. If there is no comparable pamphlet, check the company's website for further support. Other than that, I've said all I can.

</25cents>

I think it depends on the player you'll be using as there doesn't seem to be a standard. The link below can tell you which your player will play. I was wondering since your using your computer what software your using to burn you disks? I'm in the process of conversion of vcrs as well and using Intervideo creator. It's so so, has some problem but fairly easy interface.

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers

Good luck CTB

This will really help.

http://www.videohelp.com/dvd

I suggest a good quality DVD-R....most compatible media for many DVD players out there.

DVD-RW?...Why?..do you want to erase and rewrite....many of these are slow. Tedious IMO.

If this is to ensure long term ability to hang on to precious family memories, then do this: burn on BOTH formats, and keep both (perhaps store one where a fire won't get both). One will be the backup to the other and at 30 cents a disk is cheap assurance that you can read the material long term.

From the DVD player compatibility perspective you really need to also burn both as Test Disks to use for yours and anyone you might possibly want to send disks to: From testing I know that I can play both on my current DVD player, but I have to send -R to one brother and +R to another brother... that's the real bottom line.

You might even need to revisit this issue with a new package of DVD's from another manufacturer if you experience issues playing them. DVD's that record at different speeds (2X, 4X, etc.) use different light sensitive chemical compounds and each manufacturer uses their own formula. This may mean that DVD's from two different manufacturers, or even of two different recording speeds, even though both might be -R format, may not read reliably in your or anyone else's DVD player. Though this is not the problem it once was, it still exists.

Testing is the only way to be sure and having duplicates of important non-replaceable content is the only way to go.

Consider even giving other family members copies of your most precious content. Everyone in my family has a copy of the master DVD that has all the old family slides. That way it would take nuclear holocaust covering several states to destroy this family heirloom!

Reading this: http://tinyurl.com/d97sq

tells me to hold off buying a DVD RECORDER.

Can I buy a DVR PLAYER, plug it into my VCR, copy it?