What is the Difference between +R and -R Blank DVD's?

Answer 1

Commercial Answer

The truth is that the two competing technologies use different formats. No single company "owns" DVD and both technologies have their "champions".

DVD-R/RW was developed by Pioneer. Based on CD-RW technology, it uses a similar pitch of the helix, mark length of the 'burn' for data, and rotation control. DVD-R/RW is supported by the DVD Forum, an industry-wide group of hardware and software developers, and computer peripheral manufacturers. The DVD-R format has been standardized in ECMA-279 by the Forum, but this is a private standard, not an 'industry' ISO standard like the CD-R/RW Red Book or Orange Book standard.

DVD+R/RW is also based on CD-RW technology. DVD+R/RW is supported by Sony, Philips, HP, Dell, Ricoh, Yamaha, and others, and has recently been endorsed by Microsoft. DVD+R/RW is not supported by the DVD Forum, but the Forum has no power to set industry standards, so it becomes a market-driven issue.

Technical Answer

DVD+R is a dvd disc that allows multiple layers for one disc where as dvd-r only allows one layer. They will not compete to become the de Facto standard, because they are both here to stay. Multi layer DVD+R can allow extra capacity per disc than DVD-R hence its high cost!

Answer 2

They are both DVD format standards. DVD-R is the oldest format standard and therefore all DVD drives and DVD players support this format. Next came DVD+R. For the vast number of DVD drives and DVR, they support both standard formats and there is little to worry about compatiability. In addition, the burn speed for both are usually identical.

Answer 3

Well some dvd players won't play both. My dvd player only plays R-. Other than that I don't know the difference.

Answer 4

Its way the data is written onto the DVD. you need to make sure you get the ones your computer can handle. A DVD-RW drive will only burn on-, and a DVD+RW will only do +. If you have a DVD+\-, you can use either one.