dvd -R or +R

[Saphire]

I have just decide to backup my latest photo's but I have no DVD -R's left but I do have a few DVD +R is it safe to put them onto these or would that be a mistake.

Christine

[Ledaig]

You will be fine for data storage (photo’s etc) Christine.

For pc use either is just as suitable.

DVD- and DVD+ are essentially the modern equivalent of VHS/Betamax. However unlike the video battle, DVD- and DVD+ operate in much the same way and will work in the same equipment.

DVD- is the ‘official’ format, with DVD+ being the outsider so to speak (and technically should not even be called a DVD). As a result, the only significant difference is that if you are into playing the resulting DVD on a standalone player (as attached to a tv), you will find slightly greater compatibility with a DVD-.

Cheers,
Steve

[Saphire]

Thanks Steve, you have made it clear in layman's terms thank you. The only reason I have the +R's is because at the shop where I bought them about 2 years ago no-one could give me a definite answer on the differences.

Thanks
Christine

[nirofo]

I think the majority of DVD writers and players produced in the last couple of years will play most of the DVD and CD formats, they will certainly play DVD+R. I've been buying these disks from Lidls supermarket, they're cheaper than DVD-R, they copy and read just as well, I can't tell the difference anyway.

nirofo.

[steveps]

I have issues with different makes of DVD
Just recently I purchased a bulk load of Maxell DVD-R single sided disks to do some back up.
I use Nero as the burning soft ware, have done for a few years with out problems.
Burnt to disk. Information on disk, opened in PSE3. showing thumb nails, BUT WILL NOT OPEN FULL SIZE, whats going on there ?.
All other makes of disks Phillips,Emtec, etc working with out problems.


Steveps

[Leif]

Originally Posted by Saphire

I have just decide to backup my latest photo's but I have no DVD -R's left but I do have a few DVD +R is it safe to put them onto these or would that be a mistake.

Christine

As long as your DVD writer supports the +R format you'll be okay.

My problem has been knowing which brand of disk will work in my DVD player.

Leif

[sassan]

Originally Posted by Leif

As long as your DVD writer supports the +R format you'll be okay.

Leif

Or the DVD player of your intended person to use it especially if this is for Grandma GrandPa with little computer info.

If your player is about 2 years old you should be OK with all formats, most of time (Including DVD RW-, DVD RW+, DVD ROM). If you really need to know about the compatiblity of your DVD player check this site: LINK
Just enter Brand and exact model of your player and click on search.

The real question you should ask youself concerning safety of your files burned is "What is the brand of DVD+" for that matter all writeable media. There is a significant difference between different brands. You may want to use excellent brand for all your important files and pictures but cheap media for something that is not important, even if turned into coaster. Ritek is a generally accepted very good media compare to price. You can get more info form the same link as above, click on DVD media.

[Leif]

Indeed, I have bought disks that my writer would not write to. Fortunately the shop exchanged them for another brand. I'm also told that some brands of DVD last much longer than others and that Ritek are good. There are not many manufacturers, and most are rebranded. I don't suppose you have a link to tests of different media?

Leif

[sassan]

Originally Posted by Leif

. I don't suppose you have a link to tests of different media?

Leif

Not exactly what you want, but you get the essence here.

Sassan.

[nirofo]

Try the Octron DVD-R disks from Lidl, I've been using these for sometime now with no problems at all, they're cheap too! I also use the Maxell CDR 700Mb disks from Lidl, once again no problems and also cheap.

nirofo.