What's the difference between DVD-R and DVD+R?

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

I my self have used both and there is no difference that can be seen by the naked eye, the only diference that I have discovered is the difference in data size for example:

Size Note: There is a difference in size between + and - DL DVD formats. For example, the 12 cm single sided disk has capacities:

Disk Type Sectors bytes GB GiB
DVD+R SL 2,295,104 4,700,372,992 4.7 4.378
DVD-R SL 2,298,496 4,707,319,808 4.7 4.384
DVD-R DL 4,171,712 8,543,666,176 8.5 7.957
DVD+R DL 4,173,824 8,547,991,552 8.5 7.961

Answer 3

In DVD-R we can only read a dvd disc and we can not write anything but DVD+r is used for DVD writer with which we both read and write.

Answer 4

just a format thing when they first came out it was a big deal now DVD-R leads the way by working on most devices most DVD payers play both but -r is the new standard and works on more devices than +r

Answer 5

DVD +R means Recordable

DVD +RW means REcordable and writeable.

the difference is that with dvd r. you can copy dvds.

with dvd rw though. you can record and write. its pretty much the same.

Answer 6

To be brief:
Some years ago there was only -R.
Then, +R appeared. They said it had better performance, but -R had already captured a part of the market.
Nobody ever found "on eye or ear" better performance for +R.
Capacity is practically the same.
All players / recorders today can use both types.
V. good analysis from dr.qatar above.
Enjoy any type!