What is the difference between these 2 formats.
Can DVD+R disks be used as dual layer disks?
http://www.build-your-own-computer-tips.com/dvd-drive-differences.html
The DVD+R/RW format is supported by Philips, Dell, Sony, HP, and Microsoft. These discs can be written to in multiple layers, giving them slightly better and more disc storage than the “minus“ format. Because of this additional capacity, they are slightly more expensive than “minus“ discs.
I don’t get it, can any store bought DVD+R be used as dual layer or do you need specially made dual layer DVD+R’s? Tomorrow DVD+Rs are going on sale for $6 for 100, since I thought dual layer disks cost $6-10 each I don’t see how this is possible.
DVD+R (“Plus”) and DVD-R (“Dash”) are competing formats put out by two competing camps of manufacturers. The discs themselves are pretty similar in capability, except that frequently you get a player or recorder that can handle “plus” and not “minus” or vice versa. Newer devices can handle both.
“Dash” are the ‘official’ standards, sanctioned by the same association that controls the DVD player and DVD movie specs. I get the impression that new “dash” standards have to go through a lot of intercompany discussion and consensus-building before they are finalised, which is why the companies invilved in the breakaway “plus” group always come out with new features first. But the “dash” group always catches up.
Example: the dual-layer recorders now available (Nov. 2004) use DVD+R DL (dual layer “plus”) discs. The DVD-R DL (dual layer “dash”) spec has not yet been finalised.
Yes, it’s confusing.
Way more details than you could ever fdream of: the DVD FAQ. Especially check out section 4.3.6, Which recordable format should I buy?
To the OP:
Do you already own a DVD writer? If so, the question you should be asking is which format your own hardware supports. Is it a “plus” writer or a “minus” writer? Because a “plus” disc will be no good to you in a “minus” writer, and vice versa.
I have a “plus” writer, and it does everything i need. It write data discs that i can use for backing up information and reading on my computer, and it writes DVD movie discs than play perfectly on my Samsung DVD. When the whole “plus” and “minus” thing was starting, there was a clear demarcation between which commercial DVD players would play “plus” discs and which would play “minus” discs. While that line has not dissappeared altogether, i believe that most newer DVD players will now play both types. Does anyone know if this is, in fact, the case?
My writer is not a dual-layer writer. To write dual layers, i’m pretty sure you need both a writer capable of doing this, and dual layer discs.
This is true. I have seen prices on the writers in the $100 range.
Yep - I got my 8x dual-layer burner shortly after they came out for 90. The disks are at just under .50 as of the last time I checked. (Thought I have so many I haven’t checked in a bit).
Dual layer actually means dual layer, as in the laser re-focuses on a layer at a different depth in the medum. (This means that yeah, dual layer and single layer disks are different).
But you’d notice this if you tried to buy one anyhow. Single layer disks (@4.7G), are $.50 each in bulk. Dual layer disks @~8.5G (if you can find them), are way more expensive though. I asked around about two months ago, and places that could theoretically get them charged about 30 each (no typo). I note that currently you can get them online for ~10 each, and I expect them to reach the 2$ range within the next few months. (I don’t choose to spend the $$$ to be an early adopter. ;))
$$$wise, I highly recommend them for backing up info.
If your drive supports both +RW and -RW, the only difference between them you’re likely to notice in practice is that +RW discs take a lot less time to erase. The capacity difference is negligible, and if you buy blank media in a store, + and - are usually the same price.