I'm thinking of buying a DVD writer. What's the deal between -R and +R. I know they're different standards, but technically anyone know what that difference is?

Attached Link: http://www.videohelp.com/dvd

Thanks for the link. It really doesn't get into the technical differences other than -R is slightly more compatible than +R. And that -R holds slightly more data. But that +R is the only Dual layered technology so far. I wonder if it something like a -R disc is actually full and the laser creates holes (ie: subtracts space) to make 1s & 0s. Whereas a +R disc is completely empty and uses the laser to make bubbles (ie adds space) that read as 1s & 0s. Which means a -/+R DVD writer can both make and subtract space. Which is probably why RW writers are almost always -/+RW. I'm probably way off on this theory.

Get a Plextor. Supports almost everything. :)

Attached Link: http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/113

Here's the jist of that second link. Sounds like -R is the pits (pun intended). Although the arguments presented in this document might look like technical details to most readers, disc format is what defines the limits of what drives can do with a given medium, both in terms of performances and features. Therefore, the technical advantages of the DVD+R(W) format will with time turn into faster, more powerful and more reliable drives for end users. This is already the case today, and the gap will continue to increase as DVD+R(W) drives will exploit more and more of the advantages of the + format. However, as history showed, the best ideas are not guaranteed to win on technology markets, and only time will tell which format becomes the new standard. But as long as manufacturers continue to produce hardware that is compatible with both standards the -R vs +R battle seems to be of minor relevance. Certainly not battle of Beta vs VHS of the early 80s. Beta was clearly the better standard.

Wait until you are in Japan and have a +R burner in your Laptop ^_____^ And you are out of discs

DVD's, all formats, will go the way of the VHS soon enough. I'm waiting for multi-media cards to be 5GB and cost 50c each. Music and movies available on cards. Guess I'll have to buy the White Album again. ;-)

'DVD's, all formats, will go the way of the VHS soon enough' don't know what you mean... just got my beta-max out of the shop yesterday... :o)

Just something else to consider bandolin; If you ever intend to burn video to DVD, and use it in your set-top DVD player, I'd suggest going for +R/RW Obviously though, dual/all format drives are real cheap now, so I reckon a "dual" or "all" format drive would be the way to go.

do DVD rw's suffer from the same 'short term' memory problem that CD's do? (i.e, after a coupla years, they get..well, 'lossy'..;) ask Dr. Geep about that sometime..;)

On a practical note, if you want your dvds to work on your bog-standard home dvd player (attached to your tv), the format you want is DVD-R. However, you can get a machine that will write + & - .

Well i have learned something i never knew about DVD-R's and DVD+R's. i thought the only difference was the - and + :p

It's just my personal experience...but the DVD-R's have sucked booty maximus in my PC Burner (made many a drink coaster) and don't work at all in my living room/component DVD Recorder. I'm sure it all has to do with what brand name devices you are using, but I will stick with my Memorex DVD+R's. With them, I haven't had one single problem. AgentSmith