Question about the DVDR "alphabet soup"

[Professor Frink]

It's a pretty simple question -- I just got a DVD burner that does both DVD-R and DVD+R (and also RWs, of course). But which format is better for what purpose? As of right now, I only plan to use this for data DVDs to be read by other computers with DVD-ROM drives. In that case, am I better off doing "+" or "-", to ensure compatibility?

And just in case, which of the two is better for making DVD movies to be played in a standard DVD player?

[tak]

[link]

DVD-R and DVD-RW

DVD-R/W was the first DVD recording format released that was compatible with standalone DVD Players.

DVD-R is a non-rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 93% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.

DVD-RW is a rewriteable format and it is compatible with about 80% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.

DVD-R/W supports single side 4.37 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-5) and double sided 8.75 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-10).

These formats are supported by DVDForum.

DVD+R and DVD+RW

DVD+R/W has some "better" features than DVD-R/W such as lossless linking and both CAV and CLV writing.

DVD+R is a non-rewritable format and it is compatible with about 89% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.

DVD+RW is a rewritable format and is compatible with about 79% of all DVD Players and most DVD-ROMs.

DVD+R/W supports single side 4.37 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-5) and double side 8.75 computer GB* DVDs(called DVD-10).

These formats are supported by the DVD+RW Alliance.

Percentage-wise, DVD-R(W) wins. Your milage will vary, though. The source computer may be able to read the discs, but you don't know if your target computer will.

Example: I have a burner that does DVD+-RW. The other drives in the house refuse to read DVD+R(W), only the - variation. I prefer using +, though - just feels like a better designed format.

[Slimster]

I use dvd-r for my home dvds for my standalone

and dvd+r for data backup.

As far as compability dvd-r is the way to go...