Which DVD media to use DVD -R or +R for backing up movies, data, etc

jaytone

Senior member
Oct 11, 1999
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Just bought a LiteOn DVD recorder which uses DVD -R and DVD +R, which one is more widely used ? I intend to backup my movies and also backup regular data.
Thanks
 

GtPrOjEcTX

Lifer
Jul 3, 2001
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from what I've read, DVD-R is more common for backing up movies as it is more widely accepted with dvd players.

for data, I don't know.
 

RobCur

Banned
Oct 4, 2002
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Originally posted by: jaytone
Just bought a LiteOn DVD recorder which uses DVD -R and DVD +R, which one is more widely used ? I intend to backup my movies and also backup regular data.
Thanks
I suggest to check out this site as it lets you modify your liteon burner to burn 4x at 8x or 2x at 4x or whatever speed you like. http://codeguys.rpc1.org/firmwares.html
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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DVD-R is supposedly more compatible with older set top DVD players, but this is rapidly becoming a non-issue with bitsetting and most people don't have 4 year old + DVD drives anymore.

DVD-R is still slightly cheaper, but that is rapidly changing. Also, as of now, +R is the only format with DL media as well. One more thing, +R supposedly has better error correction abilities, but the importance of this to average users is not quite clear. -R does have a bit more room on a disc though.

Here is an article that is very technical, but might help you out.

Why DVD+R(W) is superior to DVD-R(W)

:)
 

obeseotron

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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My DVD+R's work fine in my parents 5 year old Sony DVD player that wont even play vcds on cdrs.
 

Tostada

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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This question again?

The type of media you get doesn't matter. The facts are:
1) DVD+R's have some advantages on paper which don't actually make the media more reliable IRL
2) DVD-R's work a tiny bit better on ancient players
3) DVD-R's fit another 5 MB
4) for any given manufacturer, DVD-R media generally has fewer KProbe errors than DVD+R media

None of those really matter much at all, though. Just get the best media you can get in your price range. Ritek 4X DVD-R's are generally accepted as the cheapest realiable media you can get.

Go to a place like cdfreaks.com and look at the quality of different kinds of media. Just get something that's decent and you'll be fine.
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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4) for any given manufacturer, the DVD-R media has fewer KProbe errors than the DVD+R media

Really? This is the first I've heard of that? Isn't Kprobe a Lite-On DVD-RW application only? Wouldn't it's readout be more dependant on the burn itself and the burner, than on the media? It seems like only +R's will burn @ faster than rated speeds too, but as I've learned, it's not always the best for long lasting quality burns.

I knew you would be along Tostada...

:)
 

Tostada

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: Insane3D
Really? This is the first I've heard of that? Isn't Kprobe a Lite-On DVD-RW application only? Wouldn't it's readout be more dependant on the burn itself and the burner, than on the media? It seems like only +R's will burn @ faster than rated speeds too, but as I've learned, it's not always the best for long lasting quality burns.
Really? I thought you would've heard it in the last thread like this. ;)

Seriously, I don't think the exact numbers KProbe puts out are all that relevant, but you can definitely see trends of what media sucks, and the simple fact is that decent media works just as well whether it's +R or -R (if you have a good burner like the newer NEC / Lite-On drives).
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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Oh, I agree, I've learned since I've made the jump into DVD-RW that media and burner quality are MUCH more important than with CDRW's. One of the reasons I returned my Nu-Tech even though it was blazing fast, and got the 2510A.

I had never heard before that -R media itself burns with less errors than +R, so I was just wondering where you found this out. I wish they would just make a Kprobe like application that works with other burners....it seems that each type of drive has it's own program...IE Kprobe for Lite-On, DVDInfo Pro for NuTech's, etc. The best I've found to date is the media quality test in the newest version of Nero CD/DVD speed. However, it doesn't seem to like the NEC so far.

Also, some drives, like the NEC, aren't even physically capable of reporting some types of errors...C1 or C2 IIRC...

*shrug*
 

tart666

Golden Member
May 18, 2002
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in either type, make sure the media brand is reputable and is compatible with your burner.

Just to be on the safe side, I've been using TY's ($40 for 50pk from Newegg), work great!
 

blodhi74

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2003
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I have a lite-on 411s coupled with an older and finiky sony DVD player .... have backed up ( ahem ) 120+ DVDs on +R and -R .... the +R burns faster than -R on my burner and both play in the the DVD player.... my 2 cents :)
 

RobCur

Banned
Oct 4, 2002
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Originally posted by: blodhi74
I have a lite-on 411s coupled with an older and finiky sony DVD player .... have backed up ( ahem ) 120+ DVDs on +R and -R .... the +R burns faster than -R on my burner and both play in the the DVD player.... my 2 cents :)

You need to upgrade, 15min 4x vs 9m30s 8x is a big difference! most 4x media can burn 8x fine too if you modify firmware using omniflasher. Hell, 12x is even better of couse i'll upgrade again when its 16x by them the time to burn is probably 5min :D