DVD+ or DVD-. Which one ?

[nick]

What is the difference between "DVD+" and "DVD-" ?

Is it just a case of manufacturers arguing over a standard ?

Some systems record and playback both, so the choice is simply which to use. So which is the most popular ?

Will either/both format playback on a PC ?

Not all systems actually state support of playing "RW" DVD's. Does that mean there is a difference between DVD+R and DVD+RW when you want to simply play it ? (Same for DVD-R and DVD-RW ?)

I have been looking at a Philips DVDR3380 DVD Recorder. It seems reasonably priced and claims to support most formats.

It claims ....

Playback
DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-Video, Audio CD, CD-R, CD-RW, VCD, SVCD, MP3 CD, MP3 DVD, WMA CD, picture CD and Kodak picture CD playback compatible.

Record
DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW recording capability.

Any recomendations/opinions ?

 

[cookie]

i use dvd- as it seems the most compatible.

plays in my PC and domestic DVD OK.

 

[Tim Cullis]

The argument is not so much over standards as over the royalties that go with them. The + camp includes Philips (who after all developed the CD), Sony and Hewlett-Packard. The - camp are all the meanies who would like to develop a different standard that escapes royalties but is less useful.

If it's a straight choice between one or the other, go for + every time unless you like lost causes such as betamax.

The next battle, drawn up along similar lines, will be blue laser.

Tim

 

[Tim Cullis]

http://www.zroadster.net/tim/gs/techno5.pdf (right click and download to desktop)

Something I wrote earlier. Seven years ago, actually.

P41 covers some of the arguments.

Tim

 

[Rob Farmer]

 

[cookie]

did they have dvds seven years ago?

 

[Tim Cullis]

The technology was originally announced in 1994 but there were many problems in developing viable products which was another reason for the standards split in 1997. The alternate DVD-RAM technology promised a quicker-to-market route by tossing aside backward compatibility to the CD standards, however these would have inhibited the use of DVD for data storage.

At the time I was writing the technology guide the Philips/Sony/HP products were being launched.

Any more questions? - RTFM

Tim

 

[cookie]

DVD-RAM can read and write to disc simultaneously

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

most people i know use dvd - r - its compatible everywhere - and the cheapest blank media