DVD / DVD+R /DVD-R / DVDRW. Are they all really distinct media formats?

I'm always confused by DVD terminology when buying media to write on.
There's DVD / DVD+R / DVD-R / DVDRW and I'm not even sure which more!

Are these all really distinct technologies and formats? Or are some subsets
/ supersets of others? Or maybe its only backward compatibility issues?
What's the best way to figure out what format my Laptop supports? Do they
have varied sizes? Does it matter whether I'm writing data or movies etc.?
I faintly remember there being lead-in / lead-out issues....

I've never faced the problem that I bought some commercial movie etc. on a
DVD and my Dell Laptop ( Inspirion E1505)'s inbuilt DVD reader /writer
couldn't read it. Its a dual boot so are there any Linux-vs-Win issues
too?

Are these distinctions only relevant when writing disks at home as opposed
to commercially stamped disks? Or maybe when reading on hardware other than
"computers" (etc. DVD players etc.)


Just looking for some tips to lead me out of this technology morass.

--
Rahul

Rahul wrote:
> I'm always confused by DVD terminology when buying media to write
> on. There's DVD / DVD+R / DVD-R / DVDRW and I'm not even sure which
> more!
>
> Are these all really distinct technologies and formats? Or are some
> subsets / supersets of others? Or maybe its only backward
> compatibility issues? What's the best way to figure out what format
> my Laptop supports? Do they have varied sizes? Does it matter
> whether I'm writing data or movies etc.? I faintly remember there
> being lead-in / lead-out issues....
>
> I've never faced the problem that I bought some commercial movie
> etc. on a DVD and my Dell Laptop ( Inspirion E1505)'s inbuilt DVD
> reader /writer couldn't read it. Its a dual boot so are there any
> Linux-vs-Win issues too?
>
> Are these distinctions only relevant when writing disks at home as
> opposed to commercially stamped disks? Or maybe when reading on
> hardware other than "computers" (etc. DVD players etc.)
>
> Just looking for some tips to lead me out of this technology morass.

DVD - this means you cannot write to it. It has been stamped or written to
by someone else and would be how some of your applications and movies would
come.

DVD+/-R - this is two different types of read many, write once media. As
for which kind would be what you want - it depends on your purpose and what
your other equipment is able to read (like stand-alone DVD players) and
write (what you are using to write to said media.)

DVD+/-RW - this is two different types of read many, write many media (RW =
ReWritable.) As for which kind would be what you want - it depends on your
purpose and what your other equipment is able to read (like stand-alone DVD
players) and write (what you are using to write to said media.)

There is also "DVD DL" (Dual Layer) and the older/lesser used "DVD RAM"
media type. The former is like having two DVDs worth of space on a single
DVD and the latter is like an advanced version of the RW.

As far as finding out what you can write to... Just figure out what DVD
writer you have. As far as reading - other than possibly DVD RAM - most
modern DVD players in computers can read any type of DVD - it's the
stand-alone DVD players that you have to read the manuals for.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Don't like your followup... I'm a Linux person...

Rahul wrote:
> I'm always confused by DVD terminology when buying media to write on.
> There's DVD / DVD+R / DVD-R / DVDRW and I'm not even sure which more!

There's plenty more (sadly).

>
> Are these all really distinct technologies and formats? Or are some subsets
> / supersets of others? Or maybe its only backward compatibility issues?
> What's the best way to figure out what format my Laptop supports? Do they
> have varied sizes? Does it matter whether I'm writing data or movies etc.?
> I faintly remember there being lead-in / lead-out issues....

These formats are capabilities of the DVD writer itself. Yes they
differ based on media and format.

>
> I've never faced the problem that I bought some commercial movie etc. on a
> DVD and my Dell Laptop ( Inspirion E1505)'s inbuilt DVD reader /writer
> couldn't read it. Its a dual boot so are there any Linux-vs-Win issues
> too?

Not sure... there are some cases where a DVD unit has to have its
region set before it will operate... and many times it requires
that you do that from Windows.

Regardless, under Linux, you'll need some way of reading encrypted
DVDs... the VideoLan repository can be added to your system
via YaST... then you can install libdvdcss2.

>
> Are these distinctions only relevant when writing disks at home as opposed
> to commercially stamped disks? Or maybe when reading on hardware other than
> "computers" (etc. DVD players etc.)

Well... it gets quite complicated (or can get complicated). If you
have relatively new DVD readers and writers (anything made over the
past 3 years or so), you should be fine (in general).

The difficulties come when you have a writer that is capable of
writing a format that an (earlier) reader can't understand.

As a more complicated example, I have a DVD writer than can
burn dual layer DVDs (for content greater than 4.7G.. well..
in all fairness, more like 4.5 or so). I have a player than
can't understand the DL DVD+RW book type for writable
format. Via software (not supported on all firmwares of all
writers) you can change the booktype... this worked for me
and tricked the reader into handling the media like a normal
DVD.


>
>
> Just looking for some tips to lead me out of this technology morass.
>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_formats
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_type

On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:54:05 -0700, Rahul <nospam@nospam.invalid>
wrote:

>I'm always confused by DVD terminology when buying media to write on.
>There's DVD / DVD+R / DVD-R / DVDRW and I'm not even sure which more!
>
>Are these all really distinct technologies and formats? Or are some subsets
>/ supersets of others? Or maybe its only backward compatibility issues?
>What's the best way to figure out what format my Laptop supports? Do they
>have varied sizes? Does it matter whether I'm writing data or movies etc.?
>I faintly remember there being lead-in / lead-out issues....
>
>I've never faced the problem that I bought some commercial movie etc. on a
>DVD and my Dell Laptop ( Inspirion E1505)'s inbuilt DVD reader /writer
>couldn't read it. Its a dual boot so are there any Linux-vs-Win issues
>too?
>
>Are these distinctions only relevant when writing disks at home as opposed
>to commercially stamped disks? Or maybe when reading on hardware other than
>"computers" (etc. DVD players etc.)
>
>
>Just looking for some tips to lead me out of this technology morass.

Why ask HERE? What does ANY of this have to do with the XP OS?
NOTHING.

Ask elsewhere

"Rahul" <nospam@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:Xns9AD2D4A1AAB546650A1FC0D7811DDBC81@207.46.2 48.16...
> I'm always confused by DVD terminology when buying media to write on.
> There's DVD / DVD+R / DVD-R / DVDRW and I'm not even sure which more!
>
> Are these all really distinct technologies and formats? Or are some
> subsets
> / supersets of others? Or maybe its only backward compatibility issues?
> What's the best way to figure out what format my Laptop supports? Do they
> have varied sizes? Does it matter whether I'm writing data or movies etc.?
> I faintly remember there being lead-in / lead-out issues....
>
> I've never faced the problem that I bought some commercial movie etc. on a
> DVD and my Dell Laptop ( Inspirion E1505)'s inbuilt DVD reader /writer
> couldn't read it. Its a dual boot so are there any Linux-vs-Win issues
> too?
>
> Are these distinctions only relevant when writing disks at home as opposed
> to commercially stamped disks? Or maybe when reading on hardware other
> than
> "computers" (etc. DVD players etc.)
>
>
> Just looking for some tips to lead me out of this technology morass.
>
> --
> Rahul

The plus (+) and minus (-) are write formats. Either writer requirement
doesn't really matter. In the end, both can read both formats if worth
their salt.

In the early days, there were DVD players for the TV that could only read
the plus or minus versions. Now, that's not really an issue. Stamped DVDs
is not an issue in any case. For both DVD players and DVD burners, media
quality and reflectivity can determine the outcome of a readability and
burner recognition.
--
Dave

Speculation on a product or material that is
an obvious need, is not speculation per se
as there is no risk to the speculator.
Common were those selling food and other
supplies in the gold rush days.
In this case, its oil and its everyone who
bites the bullet. And most everyone has no gold
to be made, just business as usual.

"Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in
news:#YpoGn#3IHA.3500@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:


> The plus (+) and minus (-) are write formats. Either writer
> requirement doesn't really matter. In the end, both can read both
> formats if worth their salt.
>
> In the early days, there were DVD players for the TV that could only
> read the plus or minus versions. Now, that's not really an issue.
> Stamped DVDs is not an issue in any case. For both DVD players and
> DVD burners, media quality and reflectivity can determine the outcome
> of a readability and burner recognition.

Thanks Dave! I just dug into the specs. for my Dell Inspirion Laptop: "8X
DVD+/-RW Drive for Inspiron 6400/E1505"

So I guess it can write to both + and - types I assume. They both seem to
be equally cheap. Any reason to buy one over the other?

--
Rahul

Rahul wrote:
> "Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in
> news:#YpoGn#3IHA.3500@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:
>
>
>> The plus (+) and minus (-) are write formats. Either writer
>> requirement doesn't really matter. In the end, both can read both
>> formats if worth their salt.
>>
>> In the early days, there were DVD players for the TV that could only
>> read the plus or minus versions. Now, that's not really an issue.
>> Stamped DVDs is not an issue in any case. For both DVD players and
>> DVD burners, media quality and reflectivity can determine the outcome
>> of a readability and burner recognition.
>
> Thanks Dave! I just dug into the specs. for my Dell Inspirion Laptop: "8X
> DVD+/-RW Drive for Inspiron 6400/E1505"
>
> So I guess it can write to both + and - types I assume.

That may depend on the particular drive you have.

> They both seem to
> be equally cheap. Any reason to buy one over the other?

DVD-R's tend to be more compatible (esp. with older models), since it's been
around a lot longer.

I've had some problems with DVD+Rs working on some older models, but not
with the DVD-Rs.

I don't use (nor will I ever use) any R/W discs. Only the basic discs
(like DVD-R, or DVD+R), using the DAO (disc-at-once) mode, and NO packet
writing garbage.

That means that when you write (or burn) the disc, it's done. If you want
to change things, you need to get a new disc. But at least it's RELIABLE.

(The same cannot be said for the R/W packet-writing based stuff. Like
InCD (in Nero), and DirectCD (in EZCD) for example (assuming you installed
those packet writing modules).

"Rahul" <nospam@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:Xns9AD3F2E27FF656650A1FC0D7811DDBC81@207.46.2 48.16...
> "Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in
> news:#YpoGn#3IHA.3500@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:
>
>
>> The plus (+) and minus (-) are write formats. Either writer
>> requirement doesn't really matter. In the end, both can read both
>> formats if worth their salt.
>>
>> In the early days, there were DVD players for the TV that could only
>> read the plus or minus versions. Now, that's not really an issue.
>> Stamped DVDs is not an issue in any case. For both DVD players and
>> DVD burners, media quality and reflectivity can determine the outcome
>> of a readability and burner recognition.
>
> Thanks Dave! I just dug into the specs. for my Dell Inspirion Laptop: "8X
> DVD+/-RW Drive for Inspiron 6400/E1505"
>
> So I guess it can write to both + and - types I assume. They both seem to
> be equally cheap. Any reason to buy one over the other?
>
> --
> Rahul


Only if you're burning movies for a + or - specific DVD player for the TV,
or, one of your share DVD buddies has a picky DVD player on their PC or TV.

I transcended from the same story of a Technics DVD player that only reads +
media. So, I have alot of plus DVD burner DVDs onhand. Have a relatively
new Toshiba DVD player replacement, HD version that will be a relic soon.
Does either plus or minus reads. Also have some HD only movie DVDs, soon to
be relics as all the movie production outfits went Blue-Ray. The transition
went much quicker than the VHS vs. Beta players for videotape. If anyone
out there is in the same boat, Netflix has HD mode DVDs. Don't go by their
HD mode only selection, its incomplete. They have more.
--
Dave

Speculation on a product or material that is
an obvious need, is not speculation per se
as there is no risk to the speculator.
Common were those selling food and other
supplies in the gold rush days.
In this case, its oil and its everyone who
bites the bullet. And most everyone has no gold
to be made, just business as usual.

This is interesting. There are players out there that ONLY read the DVD+R?
I'm surprised! (Seeing is how the older DVD-R standard predates it, and I
have HAD to use that older standard (DVD-R) for some of my players to work).

Lil' Dave wrote:
> "Rahul" <nospam@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
> news:Xns9AD3F2E27FF656650A1FC0D7811DDBC81@207.46.2 48.16...
>> "Lil' Dave" <spamyourself@virus.net> wrote in
>> news:#YpoGn#3IHA.3500@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:
>>
>>
>>> The plus (+) and minus (-) are write formats. Either writer
>>> requirement doesn't really matter. In the end, both can read both
>>> formats if worth their salt.
>>>
>>> In the early days, there were DVD players for the TV that could only
>>> read the plus or minus versions. Now, that's not really an issue.
>>> Stamped DVDs is not an issue in any case. For both DVD players and
>>> DVD burners, media quality and reflectivity can determine the outcome
>>> of a readability and burner recognition.
>>
>> Thanks Dave! I just dug into the specs. for my Dell Inspirion Laptop: "8X
>> DVD+/-RW Drive for Inspiron 6400/E1505"
>>
>> So I guess it can write to both + and - types I assume. They both seem to
>> be equally cheap. Any reason to buy one over the other?
>>
>> --
>> Rahul
>
>
> Only if you're burning movies for a + or - specific DVD player for the TV,
> or, one of your share DVD buddies has a picky DVD player on their PC or
> TV.
>
> I transcended from the same story of a Technics DVD player that only reads
> +
> media. So, I have alot of plus DVD burner DVDs onhand. Have a relatively
> new Toshiba DVD player replacement, HD version that will be a relic soon.
> Does either plus or minus reads. Also have some HD only movie DVDs, soon
> to
> be relics as all the movie production outfits went Blue-Ray. The
> transition
> went much quicker than the VHS vs. Beta players for videotape. If anyone
> out there is in the same boat, Netflix has HD mode DVDs. Don't go by
> their
> HD mode only selection, its incomplete. They have more.
> --
> Dave
>
> Speculation on a product or material that is
> an obvious need, is not speculation per se
> as there is no risk to the speculator.
> Common were those selling food and other
> supplies in the gold rush days.
> In this case, its oil and its everyone who
> bites the bullet. And most everyone has no gold
> to be made, just business as usual.

"Rahul" <nospam@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:Xns9AD2D4A1AAB546650A1FC0D7811DDBC81@207.46.2 48.16...
> I'm always confused by DVD terminology when buying media to write on.
> There's DVD / DVD+R / DVD-R / DVDRW and I'm not even sure which more!
>
> Are these all really distinct technologies and formats? Or are some
> subsets
> / supersets of others? Or maybe its only backward compatibility issues?
> What's the best way to figure out what format my Laptop supports? Do they
> have varied sizes? Does it matter whether I'm writing data or movies etc.?
> I faintly remember there being lead-in / lead-out issues....
>
> I've never faced the problem that I bought some commercial movie etc. on a
> DVD and my Dell Laptop ( Inspirion E1505)'s inbuilt DVD reader /writer
> couldn't read it. Its a dual boot so are there any Linux-vs-Win issues
> too?
>
> Are these distinctions only relevant when writing disks at home as opposed
> to commercially stamped disks? Or maybe when reading on hardware other
> than
> "computers" (etc. DVD players etc.)
>
>

First: the easy bit. The 'R' media is write once. The 'RW' media can be
erased allowing its re-use.

A little more complex is the difference between the '-' discs and '+' discs.
As far as you the user is concerned, except for some uses there is little to
chose. Some older video DVD players will refuse to recognise the DVD+RW
discs (but will recognise DVD+R). This was the result of a deliberate
attempt by Toshiba to discourage the '+' format. Once rumbled they had to
abandon it.

For DVD-R and DVD+R, there is no practical difference other than the latter
is written faster by some drives.

For DVD-RW and DVD+RW there is a subtle difference in that the former is
eraseable at the block level only. The latter is eraseable at the word
level. This means that individual words can be erased and overwritten. It
also means that if used for video, more video can be added to the end of
existing video and the two played through seemlessly. This cannot be done
with the '-' format.

If you are planning on using packet incemental format (Nero's InCD or
Roxio's Drag-to-disc), then DVD+RW will be much more reliable than DVD-RW.

Every modern DVD writer supports all 4 types of disc. Some also support a
format known as DVD-RAM which works much like any normal disc drive. This
latter format is the only writeable DVD format that is supported by Windows
XP out of the box (but beware, DVD-RAM formatted by XP isn't fully
compatible with Vista).