What is the difference between a DVD-R and DVD+R / CD-R CD+R?

Question

I normally used DVD-Rs and CD-Rs and I accidently bought DVD+Rs and CD+Rs.

Answer 1

Depending on your burner (and player(s)), you may be out of luck.
They are slightly different formats. Some burners and most readers/players can use either; some can't.

Answer 2

First, there is no CD+R, just CD-R and CD-RW. CD-R is record-once (not eraseable or re-writable), while CD-RW can be erased and re-written.

DVD-R and DVD+R (along with DVD-RW and DVD+RW) are two different formats for writing DVD, and are not compatible with each other. There used to be significant differences in recording features and compatibility with existing DVD players, but now there is very little difference. Phillips, HP like DVD+R, +RW while Panasonic uses DVD-R, -RW. The discs of both types are readily available and are similar in cost. All new DVD players and recorder/players will read both formats (even if they only record one type). If your recorder needs DVD-R for recording, you can't use DVD+R (there are some recorders now that will record both formats). Your CD-R should work in any CD recorder.

Answer 3

There is no CD+R just CD-R what were you trying to say there?

The difference between - and + is in the physical format of the disc itself. When they first came out, a - is easier for a manufacturer to implement in a standalone player; while + goes for a computer drive. Now there's no such difference in application.

Answer 4

YES! It has to do with the protocol (set of rules) that the drives uses to burn and to read the disks. I've never heard of a CD+R.... but with a DVD+R and DVD-R, you need to make sure that your drive supports both protocols. Most modern DVD burners will do both, but it's still wise to check to make sure your drive supports it.

With regards to capacity and speed however, no. There's not really much of a difference there (unless you want to argue about microseconds, etc.) but really, it's nothing life-changing.

Hope this helps!