What is the difference between DVD+R and DVD-R?

Question

I've noticed some DVD blank discs have these two different titles and I would like to know what the difference is.

ALSO!!!!!!

Will both work in my DVD writer, which I *think* is a DVD+Rewritable?

Answer 1

Officially, DVD-R is the real rewritable standard, as it has the endorsement from the DVD Consortium. HOWEVER, the RW Consortium, which endorses the +R standard, so they don't have to pay the DVD Consortium licensing fees, is almost as powerful, so nowadays the drive makers simply make their drives compatible with BOTH standards.

Practical-wise, there is no difference between the two, at least nowadays. In the old days (couple years back) the -R enjoys slightly better compatibility on old equipment, but now they're roughly equal.

To see what media your drive can support, look at the logos on the front of the drive bevel.

If it says DVD (with a disc below) and below that says R/RW in small letters, it's DVD-R/RW compatible.

If it says RW (in the box) and below that says DVD+Rewritable, then it is DVD+R/RW compatible.

And if it has BOTH, then it's compatible with both. :)

It may also have Compact Disc logo too, but that's not relevant to discussion here.

Answer 2

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 3

Most computer dvd-recorder can use both.

Some stand alone dvd player work better with dvd-r

For the tecnical difference check out wikipedia. It has to do with slight differences with the way data is stored on the disk.

Answer 4

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.

DVD-R and DVD-RW
DVD-R was the first DVD recording format released that was compatible with standalone DVD Players.
DVD-R is a non-rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 93% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.
DVD-RW is a rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 80% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.
DVD-R and DVD-RW supports single side 4.37 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-5) and double sided 8.75 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-10).
These formats are supported by DVDForum.

DVD+R and DVD+RW
DVD+R is a non-rewritable format and it is compatible with about 89% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.
DVD+RW is a rewritable format and is compatible with about 79% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.
DVD+R and DVD+RW supports single side 4.37 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-5) and double side 8.75 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-10).
These formats are supported by the DVD+RW Alliance.