lmacmil
join:2001-01-26
South Bend, IN
| [optical] DVD-R or DVD+R: is one better than the other?
I have a Samsung DVD burner (SH-203D) and am ready to buy my first package of DVDs. Main use will be data storage although I may occasionally burn a movie. The burner specs say the performance with single layer DVDs is the same for +R or -R formats. Is one "better" or preferable to the other? |
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Zero Gravity
Next to Arch Stanton
Premium
join:2002-04-30
Top Floor
 ·Bell Sympatico
| Neither is better. The advantage with a DVD+R is the it can be book typed (if your burner supports it) into DVD ROM which may play on more machines. This was more of an issue years ago. That being said, I still use DVD+R when burning. Far more important is the quality of the media you are using. Here's some good reading on the subject. |
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lmacmil
join:2001-01-26
South Bend, IN
| said by Zero Gravity  :Neither is better... Far more important is the quality of the media you are using. Here's some good reading on the subject. Thanks. Office Depot has 50-count TDK on sale for $11. That's what I'm getting. |
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Camelot One
Premium,MVM
join:2001-11-21
Sarasota, FL
clubs:
| Each manufacturer offers a few different discs, each made in different places. I've had great luck with a brand one month, and a bunch of duds the next. In the old days Verbatim was the default best of the best, but even they have degraded lately.
That said, the last 5 TDK DL packs I've picked up have all had an unusually high number of coasters. I have never tried their SL discs.
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Intel Q6600 @3400Mhz/GA-EP35-DS3P/2x 2048Mb G.Skill/Seagate 750.10/EVGA 8800GT's SLI/Silverstone 850W/Custom water cooler |
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royphil345
Premium
join:2004-12-10
Lakewood, OH
clubs:
4 edits | reply to lmacmil
The DVD+R layout is supposed to be better for faster data access. They were developed for computer use after DVD- was already the standard for commercial DVD movies. A DVD+R can be booktyped as a DVD-R using software such as Nero when burning DVD movies. Although, A DVD-R is already a DVD-R and is probably best for compatability with the oldest (probably long since dead) DVD players. DVD- is the layout used on commercial DVD movie discs. Most newer players have no problem playing DVD+R, even if not booktyped as DVD-R.
If you're burning DVD movies, it's probably better to stick to lower burning speeds (I use 6X with my Samsung). Otherwise, the disc quality usually isn't as good and will cause some DVD players to pause periodically or lock up. Data disks are burned with redundant data error correction, so disc quality isn't as critical. A slower speed never hurts for an important disc or something you want to archive for a long period of time though.
I buy mostly Taiyo Yuden from Supermediastore.com. Or HP or Verbatim if I need Lightscribe. Their prices are pretty good when you stock up with larger quantities. They also have user reviews for their products, so you can tell if there is a product people are starting to have problems with. I usually buy jewel cases separately there or elsewhere if I can find them cheaper at the time. |
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57660979
join:2009-05-17 | By contrast, DVD+R is better than DVD-R on signal distinguish rate. More suiteble for high speed burning. |
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PittsPgh
join:2003-08-21
Pittsburgh, PA
| reply to lmacmil
Now to confuse things more. I was in Staples yesterday and saw "Memorex DVD R" No plus, No Minus.
»www.staples.com/office/supplies/···CL164385
Memorex DVD R, 25/Pack, Spindle
Make it easy and use Memorex DVDR, All purpose one format! |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA | Ok, that's weird.
Thanks for the info and link though!  |
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bshelly
Premium
join:2002-02-17
Schaumburg, IL
clubs:
 ·VOIPo
·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to lmacmil
If I remember correctly, at least a few years ago, if you wanted to have a recorded DVD mastered and pressed, it had to be submitted on a DVD-R. DVD+R would not be accepted. I'm sure times have changed and that is no longer valid.
In addition to that, Apple only sold G4's and early G5 Macs with -R only burners and I'm sure they had a good reason for that. Perhaps it was, at the time, the best compatibility. Also, many early 2000's DVD players would not accept +R discs, only -R and retail discs. This alone was the reason I've uses mostly -R unless I burn Dual Layer, then I use +R DL. I've never had a problem. I use mostly Verbatim but have also uses TY and a long time ago, I used Ritek. Not anymore though. |
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