What is the difference between DVD-R and DVD+R disks? What sort of devices use one or other or both of these?

Question

Is it possible to find that your device (DVD recorder or DVD-RW drive in computer or ....) just doesn't work because you have chosen the wrong one out of +R and -R disks? Or is it just a performance thing?

Answer 1

Yep, some devices will not work with DVD+R and others will not work with DVD-R.
Read the manual that came with it, in there the disc requirements will be noted.
It all depends who made the actual optical drive in it.

If you haven't got a manual / instructions then visit the makers web site and download.

Answer 2

Hi there!
The difference between the formats -R and +R are on the way you record the sessions on the disc (it doesn't really matter much nowadays because most of the readers/writers are capable of understanding both formats).
MINUS (-)R: means you cannot "top-up" your media after you recorded something on it. Imagine a blank DVD, and that you decide to backup some of your mp3s... you use about 4GB of the disc, and then you realise you wanted to put MORE songs in, to use all the space... but you can't. The reason is that the -R format only supports to be written ONCE - so it's good for movies and backups when you know you're using all the space- hence the low price of the medias.
PLUS (+)R: This one supports "top-ups" but cannot be erased, so it's good for backups that keep growing. The price obviously is good as well, almost the same that the -R.
+ and - RWs: This is the jack-of-all-trades. You can write, top-up, erase and do it all again, because it is supposed to work like that. It's more expensive, but it's worth it if you are not too keen on keeping that crappy movie you downloaded and it sucked.
Still, some older DVD players don't support RWs or +Rs, so your problem is probably with the player itself. DVD writers should support every type of those medias, but recording speed counts as well... try recording on a lower-speed level and on a simple -R media to be certain.
Good luck!

Answer 3

It no longer matters. All new DVD players can read both formats. The only time you have to consider which one to use is when you record the discs on your recorder. Most recorders require one or the other, although some computer DVD recorder drives will record on either. Once recorded (and finalized) the disc should play on any recent player. When sending recorded DVDs to others, I have always used DVD+R; I have sent dozens all over the world and haven't had a single problem.

Answer 4

Well, DVD-R and DVD+R are just format standards. All DVD drive and DVD blank manufacturers agree on how DVD-R - or any other DVD format - are made. DVD-R and DVD+R are the oldest formats and all new optical drives should be able to read and write to these two formats. If you have an older DVD drive then it might only be able to use DVD-R, the first format standard ever used.

Answer 5

There are some technical ameliorations between the two, there is likewise DVD-RAM and Blu-ray now besides. it quite is a distinctive medium, purely a distinctive format of DVD. you will desire to first decide what your DVD burner helps (would desire to be the two on the packaging of the DVD burner or a minimum of on the information superhighway website of the producer), then you definately would desire to make your mind up what your DVD participant on your television helps (comparable component, the two on the packaging or webiste), finally, in the event that they the two are supported via your recorder and participant, get a small %. of the two and burn a similar movie and notice which seems extra desirable on your television. stable luck.

Answer 6

When I make DVD's for myself I use whatever I have lying around, because all my DVD devices are fairly recent. However, when I make a DVD that I will be sending to someone else, I always use DVD-R. It works in almsot everything.

Answer 7

They are the names of formats. DVD+R is used by Sony and DVD-R is used by Toshiba.