Hi,
Can someone please explain to me what is the difference between DVD+R,
DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW?
the regular DVD that we rent from say....blockbuster exist in which format?
Commercial DVDs are a different format and can actually hold about
twice as much data as a writable DVD + or -. Thats why you cant just
make a simple copy. You have to rip a smaller file or compress it
more to fit on a writable. There are programs to do that.
They are just two competing format like beta and VHS at war to set the
standard probably to reap the royalties. In the older industrialized
world (Europe US/Canada and Japan ) which is moving away from basic
manufacturing since you can import stuff much more cheaply with the
newly industrialized nations - its all about intellectual property
rights setting standards etc.
On the plus side - theyve come out with 8x already , theres a thing at
CDFREAKs a website where one guy says it has better data integrity and
if you look at the organizations official site they lost various extra
features plus has.
On the minus side - they point out their format came on the scene
earlier so more players are compatible (I think this is usually
grossly exaggerated) and the media is cheaper. Personally I think this
may be exaggerated too. You often see more generic makes with minus
and stuff at 1x. With plus they came out with a weird 2.4x speed so
the media tends to have to burn at a faster speed even with the
cheapest media.
In real world terms - theres no difference - if all you do is back up
data and copy stuff. It fdoesnt really matter that much if you buy
plus or minus - but if you want to hedge your bets - get a dual format
writer. Those are hot now - they can burn plus AND minus both.
Theres a lot of variablity in pricing so youll still see high single
format writers but prices are starting to come way down if you look.
The best deal is a dual format 4x writer -
NEC 1300a - I bought this and I love it.
Optorite - also has this unusual sanyo format HDburn which
can burn 1.4 gigs onto a regular CDR but owners say you
need fairly high grade media to do that.
Pioneer A06 - the NEC and Pioneer seem to be favorites
with some really hyper Pioneer boosters but they cost more
and frankly I think the NEC is pretty much in the same ball park.
Plextor
And right now a bunch of low cost producers are starting to flood in -
besides OPtorite , BTC and others so youll see lots of branded 4x
duals - ASUS, Nu tek whatever.
The new thing if you have money to burn is 8x dual format - I think
only plus burns at 8x though. Good luck trying to find media for it
and I bet it costs alot. Plextor has a good unit out.
CD-R, CD+RW, CD+R and CD-RW?
No just CDR and CDRW.
I think every single one can also burn CDRs and CDRWs too.
I cant remember ever seeing a DVD burner that couldnt also burn CDRs.
Whether they are ideal at burning CDRs - they tend to be slower 12x ,
16x than a cheap CD burner you can buy now at 48x-52x.
II personally like to buy both because Id rather not wear out my
$150-250 Dvd burner burning CDRs and playing games on them.
You can buy a cd burner for $20-45.
