+R or -R

[JJR512]

Suppose I have a multi-format (8x DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) drive. Does it make any difference if I use +R or -R media? Is either format more popular or more compatible with set-top DVD players, or more likely to be read in a computer's standard DVD-ROM drive?

 

[Gonz]

+R tends to be slightly less hassle.

 

[catocom]

what gonz said, but Brand makes a Big difference.
I only use verbatim ATM. (tried memorex, ridata, office depot, imation) not as good

 

[Gonz]

I've had decent luck with lesser brands...except with DVDs. Verbatim are great. Many store brands are rebranded good ones. Gotta check the numbers on them...
This site is especially helpful.

 

[Inkara1]

I have a stack of fujifilm +R. Unfortunately, I haven't burned any movies on them so I don't know how well they work in set-top DVD players. But I heard somewhere that +R works better in set-top players so that's what I went with since my burner does both.

 

[PT]

Have always used +R myself, basically heard they were better when I started burning DVDs, haven't had a real problem with them, and haven't wanted to risk having problems. Haven't even tried anything other that DL, they seemed to work fine too, but have only burned a total of maybe 10 DL.

 

[chcr]

My stand alone DVD recorder uses -R and os far I haven't had any problems playing them in any other DVD player. I've burned some +R videos from my computer and they've always worked fine too.

Unlike PT, I've never done a dual layer. Anyone done a Light Scribe label? I can, but I don't have any of the discs yet.

 

[catocom]

I've only done 3 DLs, verbatim, no problems with nero.
I got a spool of 25, but only want to backup my best movies with um.

 

[Kittie]

I've done a lightscribe label

It's cooooooool

 

[Luis G]

From the infamous wikipedia:

However, because the DVD-R format has been in use since 1997, it has had a five-year lead on DVD+R. As such, older or cheaper DVD players (up to 2004 vintage) are more likely to favour the DVD-R standard exclusively, and when creating DVDs for distribution (where the playing unit is unknown or older) the DVD-R format would normally be preferable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-R

 

[JJR512]

So basically several people here are saying that +R works better and/or is more compatible, while the Wikipedia article says that -R should be more compatible with older players.

I think that with newer set-top DVD players, it shouldn't be an issue, from what I understand?

But I thought that even "multi-format" drives, although claiming to work with either format, usually preferred one format over the other, that they might be slightly faster or have a slightly less chance of screwing up. Has anyone heard anything like that?

 

[Luis G]

I know DVD-R is supported by the DVD-Forum, so the spec should be the most compatible with the DVD standard. For that reason I buy DVD-R media, but nowdays I think it really doesn't matter.

As for screwing up I think it is far more likely to have defective media or faulty drive than a screw up because of the slight differences between -R and +R.

 

[catocom]

I've mostly used samsung, and now several different lite-on models,
and they like the verbatum +R, no problem.
I have had trouble with old 1x or 2x -DVDRWs I have in the newer drives.

You might want to buy within about the same mfg timeframes...

 

[Gonz]

So basically several people here are saying that +R works better and/or is more compatible, while the Wikipedia article says that -R should be more compatible with older players.

I can go to wiki & change that, if you want.

 

[JJR512]

Sure, and go ahead and add a note that DVD+X is the mostest superior format above all.

 

[SouthernN'Proud]

I can go to wiki & change that, if you want.

 

[Aunty Em]

I always use -R... never had a problem with them.