does anyone know the difference between DVD-RW and DVD+RW?

Question

I am trying to copy files and pictures from my pc to DVD and it is not working. Did I buy the wrong type, I bought DVD-RW or do i need to format them first... HELP

hi KM great answer..i did what you said and this is what came up
DriveD:
DescriptionCD-ROM Drive
Media LoadedNo
Media TypeCD-ROM
NameTSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-L532R
Manufacturer(Standard CD-ROM drives)
StatusOK
Transfer RateNot Available
SCSI Target ID0
PNP Device IDIDE\CDROMTSSTCORP_CD/DVDW_TS-L532R_______________HA04____\35344E3430323130343120202020202020202020
Driverc:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys (5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158), 48.38 KB (49,536 bytes), 8/4/2004 1:00 AM)
I do not see any plug or minus...Any idea? thanks

AND thanks to e everyone that tried but many of you tried to explain the "RW" part..that i understand I was needing diff between plug and negative

Answer 1

DVD+RW and DVD-RW are 2 different formats. It depends which type of burner you hav (+ or-) although most DVD burners are +- meaning they handle both. To find out what you type have go start>all programs>accesories>system tools>system information>components>CDROM it will tell you there.

Answer 2

* DVD-RW: DVD-R is short for DVD-recordable. (Note the dash before the R; it's pretty important.) Like your old friend the CD-R disc, a DVD-R disc can be recorded only once. However, the DVD-R can hold a whopping 4.7GB per side of the disc, for a total of 9.4GB of data on a double-sided disc. DVD-R is the darling of the video-editing crowd, because it allows you to record a disc that you can use in a standard DVD player. Naturally, the DVDs that you create with a DVD-R drive can't be read on a standard CD-ROM drive (but you can burn regular CD-R and CD-RW discs).

On the rewritable side, the DVD-R disc format is called DVD-RW. These discs can also store 4.7GB, and you format them much like you format a CD-RW disc. Any DVD-ROM drive should be able to read a DVD-RW disc. Unfortunately, not all DVD players can read DVD-RWs, so if you're an up-and-coming Hollywood type that's interested in producing your own movie discs, you should stick with the DVD-R standard (which is compatible with all DVD players).

Pick DVD-R/W if you're looking for the highest level of compatibility with all DVD-ROM drives or you're distributing discs to others.

* DVD+R/W: The other independent DVD standard, DVD+R/W, is widely available as well. This more recent format is being touted by an entirely different group of computer hardware manufacturers. DVD+R discs and DVD+RW discs can store 4.7GB, and a DVD-ROM player can read both types of discs. Again, however, you run into the same problem - DVD+R discs are compatible with most DVD players, but DVD+RW discs aren't widely supported by DVD players. Plus, DVD-R/W and DVD+R/W are incompatible.

Pick DVD+R/W if you're looking for compatibility with the latest DVD-ROM drives or you want to spend a little less on media.

Answer 3

DVD+RW formats are supported by Philips, Sony, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Ricoh, Yamaha and others.
DVD+RW is a re-recordable format similar to CD-RW. The data on a DVD+RW disc can be erased and recorded over numerous times without damaging the medium.

DVD-RW formats are supported by Panasonic, Toshiba, Apple Computer, Hitachi, NEC, Pioneer, Samsung and Sharp.
DVD-RW is a re-recordable format similar to CD-RW or DVD+RW. The data on a DVD-RW disc can be erased and recorded over numerous times without damaging the medium.

Answer 4

They are completely different! They are two different formats! most cpu dvd players do both and other dvd players with tv's only do 1.

I hope I helped,
john

Answer 5

you need that dvd able to burn .
your is only for dvd play.

Answer 6

same exact thing... companies just put it in different forms...