DVD-R/+R/-RW/+RW/-RAM What does this all mean, Basil?

[Zap]

I'm kinda sorta thinking about getting a DVD recorder. The 1X/2X/2.4X/4X speed ratings are easy to understand. However, what about the various flavors? My purpose would primarily be to back up a few gigs of data at a time. Possibly I may record video to play back on DVD players, though I've heard about problems with compatibility. Seems like most drives are either -R/-RW or +R/+RW, and there are new drives with both +/- support but at a premium price. [Yoda]Mmmm, confused I am.[/Yoda]

Are all the formats compatible with being read by normal computer DVD drives?

Which formats are most compatible with consumer DVD players?

Which formats use the lowest cost media?

Any sites with this kind of info?

 

[LED]

Zap most Home DVD Players will read MP3's, DVD+ and -...the least cost DVDR's are the - with the Industry leaning towards + as the most excepted and most expensive to record. I use -'s on my Home Player with no problems and use the Pioneer 105 which burns @ 4X (which I prefer) and the Sony DRU500A which does both...There's a nice review Here and the site has loads of info...

 

[microAmp]

VCD Help, to help you find what -/+ to use for your DVD player

 

[Zap]

Hi LED.

Thanks for the links, guys. Very informative. I'll read up...

 

[LED]

Originally posted by: Zap
Hi LED.

Thanks for the links, guys. Very informative. I'll read up...

NP and anything else I can help out with, then we can meet over on the Dark Side

 

[nealh]

Zap here is my 2 cents..I just bought a Cendyne 4x DVD+R/RW from staples for $130 after rebate and coupon...it is a NEC 1100A..I went with + r as all my dvd players support + r media and it appears to be the upcoming format...
I realize the + is less compatable with some older dvd players but I liked the fact the dvd+r are opened and closed faster than -r during the right process...
Also Dell is selling +R as is HP and many other major computer sys makers so I figured this format will survive for sure (-r may as well)
I figure if dell went this way there is a real good chance this is the format to go with...given their business growth it would be unexpected that they would pick a loser..right

 

[Zap]

I think I'll end up with one of those new dual-format drives. DVD+R seems to have more manufacturer support, but DVD-R media is hands down cheaper (and a bit more compatible). I can get a Pioneer dual-format drive for $220+S+tax. I figure that I'll have saved the difference after a spindle of discs. Thanks guys!

 

[HiTek21]

I have the Sony DW-U10A DVD+-RW drive, I flashed it to the DRU500A Specs and updated the firmware to 2.0f. Great drive has an 8mb buffer too.

 

[Zap]

I think I've confused myself now. I was all ready to spend $250+S+tax on the dual format Pioneer DVR-A06 drive (decided on retail box for software and warranty) but now am thinking of getting the older single format DVR-A05 drive. It is around $65 less and does 4X DVD-R. I'm thinking that I really won't use DVD+R media until DVD-R media becomes more expensive or difficult to find. That may take a few years. A few years ago I paid $240+S+tax on my Plextor 8x2x20 SCSI CDRW drive. I got my current LiteOn 52x24x52 CDRW drive for around $60+tax. So, if I save $65 on the drive now, maybe in a few years, when I can no longer find cheap DVD-R media, the dual format or single DVD+R format drives will be dirt cheap.

I'm going to wait until Monday before ordering (because unlikely it would ship before then anyways) and I'll think on this some more.

 

[nealh]

how much is 4x dvd-r vs +r?

 

[Zap]

You're asking about media costs? This is kinda strange. Just looking up one vendor (meritline.com) and one brand, the Ritek -R costs $1.39 and +R costs $1.65. Comparing cheapest, -R costs $1.05 (Ritek is cheapest +R). This is for unit cost (before shipping/tax) at quantity 500. That $0.60 difference multiplied by 500 becomes $300. Even using Ritek brand, the $0.26 difference becomes $130 after 500. Now, I don't know how many discs I'll end up buying over the life of the drive, but I'm going to start off with 200 discs and expect to use a few per week. Let's see, the quantity price break at 200 discs is $1.06 per -R versus $1.67 per +R. The $0.61 difference multiplied by 200 is $122.

 

[nealh]

I guess..but I picked up TDK 4x + R for $1.50/disc and if I can straighten an issue with BB.com I willget a 100 for $130

I think you just need to watch for deals on the media.....

 

[Zap]

True regarding watching the deals.