Dvd Burner Question

mmij58 · 05-06-04, 03:46 PM

I am so ignorant about DVD burners. I would like to get a new computer with burner for hubby for Father's Dad, but I do not know the difference in these:
DVD-RW
DVD-+RW
and there is another one that is DVD with the + on top of the - RW

He just wants to make additional copies of DVDs he has.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I cannot ask him and still keep this a secret.

squi23 · 05-06-04, 03:51 PM

Most burners nowadays are +/-
That's the safest bet.

Otherwise, I don't think there's much of a difference b/w getting a + or - burner.

Something about how disks made with one are more compatible with stand alone dvd players than disks made with the other. (I think - is more compatible than +, but i'm probably wrong)

other people here will give you more insight into which is better, but get one that does both if you can and you won't have to worry about it.

twikoff · 05-06-04, 05:22 PM

that pretty much covers it

- and + are two different standards.. noone knows which one will end up winning.. but its safe to say that they will both be around for awhile.. research says - is slightly more compatible than +
but youll always have your + guys that disagree
also, there is different prices for the - and + media

right now, + is first to jump onto the dual layer market.. which helps them out.. but - will most likely be right behind (if they havent already developed)

a -/+ does both.. so you dont have to make the decision.. and should cost about the same price as an independent of either.. so really, better safe than sorry

Wompratz · 05-06-04, 08:28 PM

Dual format seems to be the going thing now, but I prefer - myself, they seem to have a better compatibility than +...in my experience anyway.

Nosmo Rex · 05-10-04, 07:57 PM

I just got my Sony DRX-530UL, and experimented a bit. I burned a DVD movie from an image to a +R disc and a -R disc. The -R would not play on my laptop (about 3 years old), nor my older model Pioneer DVD player. It would play on my newer Toshiba DVD player. The same image burned to a +R disc played fine on all of them. Hardly a conclusive test, but just my 2 cents.

05-06-04, 03:46 PM	#1
mmij58 New Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1	Dvd Burner Question I am so ignorant about DVD burners. I would like to get a new computer with burner for hubby for Father's Dad, but I do not know the difference in these: DVD-RW DVD-+RW and there is another one that is DVD with the + on top of the - RW He just wants to make additional copies of DVDs he has. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I cannot ask him and still keep this a secret.

05-06-04, 03:51 PM	#2
squi23 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 446	Most burners nowadays are +/- That's the safest bet. Otherwise, I don't think there's much of a difference b/w getting a + or - burner. Something about how disks made with one are more compatible with stand alone dvd players than disks made with the other. (I think - is more compatible than +, but i'm probably wrong) other people here will give you more insight into which is better, but get one that does both if you can and you won't have to worry about it. __________________ "I say mother, I come bearing a gift. I'll give you 2 hints. It's in my diaper and it's not a toaster." - Stewie Griffin DVD Collection Video Game Collection

05-06-04, 05:22 PM	#3
twikoff DVD Talk God Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Right Behind You!!! Posts: 79,337	that pretty much covers it - and + are two different standards.. noone knows which one will end up winning.. but its safe to say that they will both be around for awhile.. research says - is slightly more compatible than + but youll always have your + guys that disagree also, there is different prices for the - and + media right now, + is first to jump onto the dual layer market.. which helps them out.. but - will most likely be right behind (if they havent already developed) a -/+ does both.. so you dont have to make the decision.. and should cost about the same price as an independent of either.. so really, better safe than sorry __________________ Do you live in Idaho or Wyoming? If so, its time to Check In!

05-10-04, 07:57 PM	#5
Nosmo Rex DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Beaverton, OR, USA Posts: 2,536	I just got my Sony DRX-530UL, and experimented a bit. I burned a DVD movie from an image to a +R disc and a -R disc. The -R would not play on my laptop (about 3 years old), nor my older model Pioneer DVD player. It would play on my newer Toshiba DVD player. The same image burned to a +R disc played fine on all of them. Hardly a conclusive test, but just my 2 cents. __________________ XBL Gamertag: NosmoRex711

05-06-04, 08:28 PM	#4
Wompratz Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bensalem, PA USA Posts: 156	Dual format seems to be the going thing now, but I prefer - myself, they seem to have a better compatibility than +...in my experience anyway.