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What is the difference between DVD-R and DVD+R? Also, does it matter which brand of CD I buy? Are they all made the same? Thanks for your help.
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To put it simply, DVD-R is more commonly supported on standalone DVD players while DVD+R is more common for backing up data. However, aside from compatibility issues (not all players/drives support both formats) neither has a clear advantage over the other. Just look at your DVD burner(s)/player(s) and see what format(s) they use and then purchase the corresponding media. If they support both DVD+R and DVD-R then it doesn't matter which you get, so just grab the ones closest to you. 
In regards to the brand, there are no compatibility issues though there are quality issues. Over time all CDs and DVDs you might burn will cease to function as a result of the chemical layers breaking down. However, generic no-name brands typically experience this sooner than others. In addition, Sony, TDK, and others typically have fewer CDs/DVDs that are faulty right out of the box. Just balance the cost and potential quality and choose which you think is best. The more important the data the more you may be willing to spend to protect it. Just never put all of your eggs in one basket...keep multiple copies in case one fails.
Hope this helps,
John
It's 50-50 at to the Plus or Minus.
Bob
I am going to Future Shop tomorrow, so I will get their opinion also of which is best for me to use. Thanks so much for your response.
thanks again for your prompt reply. I must say John that you have helped me out quite a few times now along with Robert Profitt. I saved your reply, so I will go to Future Shop tomorrow and buy these supplies, along with the hard drive case.
Almost all cd's are good quality.
As for dvd's, I would only recommend buying Taiyo Yuden, Verbatim, Plextor, and FujiFilm(made in Japan). You can go to cdfreaks.com, and there is a lot of information there on dvd's. You will find that an overwhelming majority of the folks there will agree with my choices. I do use other brands at times, but I do research, and know how to identify which specific media code I'm buying.
For example, Memorex 8x dvd-r, might be made by 3 or 4 different manufacturing plants. One is good, and the other 3 are total crap. You can't determine which one you are getting unless you know what to look for. TDK used to be good, but many people are compaining about inconsistency with batches purchased. The quality dvds are penny's more, and coasters are almost non-existent, and they last for a long time.
DVD-R
DVD+R
DVD DL+R
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These are your best choices for Home Video footage..
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DVD-R/DVD+R....useing a Compressed MPEG2 Video File will Playback on Home DVD Player..known as DASH-PLUS Disks..
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Compatibility is in the DRIVE..your Optical Drive will support a DASH Blank or it will Support BOTH(-)(+)..I have yet to see a Dedicated PLUS(+)Optical Drive..I have a TOSHIBA(combo)Drive that Supports DASH-only..and a second Optical for BOTH(-)(+)..
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I use an External Optical Drive....SONY DRX-720UL..its Suports(-)(+)and Dual Layer also..Dual Layer requires a Home DVD Player that supports Dual Layer(PanaSonic)has one..
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I have been useing DVD-R and recently starting useing DVD+R..
ROXIO was doing well w/DVD-R..and my TOSHIBA SD-5112(combo)Drive..
My new NERO 7 Ultra Edition is doing well w/DVD+R..I BURN useing a Firewire SONY iLink..but archive FILES to the DASH-DVD..useing NERO..
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Dual Layer works well..I was able to make a High Quality 2-hour long DVD useing a Celeron D[331]CPU..2.66GHz/I just don't have a Home Player yet..so I view it on my PC..
I quess when its played on a Home Player I'll really know.
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