The DVD format war - Should you go plus or minus?
detail information
| Posted by | Jan Willem |
| Posted on | 11/04/03 17:40 |
| Number of views | 93122 |
Menu
Two formats.
If
you're in the market for a DVD recorder you will find out that currently one of
the major issues is the 'DVD format war', as many people describe the
competition between the DVD+R/DVD+RW (DVD+ or DVD plus) and the DVD-R/DVD-RW
(DVD- or DVD minus) formats. Both are DVD recordable formats and developed to
store data on a DVD recordable disc that can be played on a DVD(-ROM) player.
DVD+/-R stands for DVD recordable and can only be recorded once, DVD+/-RW stands
for DVD re-writeable, and this discs can be written and erased, making it
possible to record them up to about a thousand times. Both DVD plus and DVD minus have their own supporters and both formats are claiming they have their own benefits. In this article we are going to try to distinct the differences between both formats and take a look at them from a consumers perspective. We aim to give you an advice on what kind of recorder you should buy at this moment, a dual format recorder that supports both DVD-R(W) and DVD+R(W) discs, or a recorder that supports only one of the formats (either DVD- or DVD+).
Before we wrote this article we met several important people from both DVD recordable formats at CEBIT 2003. From the DVD plus format we talked to Ms. Harpe from Philips, from the DVD minus format we talked to Mr. Yoshimura from Pioneer.
Why two formats?
While the CD recordable format was widely adopted by all companies in the industry, all companies could not agree on one single DVD recordable format. At the start of the war it was clear what companies supported DVD minus and what companies supported DVD plus. Unfortunately at the current moment this is less clear since many companies have chosen to support both formats. South Korean and Taiwanese companies, who have a large market share in the optical storage industry, have all told us that they will not pick one format, but follow the market. DVD plus is mainly backed by Philips, HP and Dell. DVD minus is mainly backed by Pioneer, Toshiba and Apple.
Is it really a war?
The struggle between both formats is often described as a war, we would prefer to call it more like a competition or a race. There is chance that over the years both formats will still be present in the market. Both DVD minus and DVD plus told us that there is not really a need for a winner. Many people refer to the BetaMAX versus VHS war that took place when the video recorder came into the living room. Both formats were incompatible with each other and without a winner a lot of consumers would be left in the cold. DVD plus and DVD minus are for a large share compatible with each other, and a real winner is not necessary. Also there are dual format recorders on the market, which are able to record to both the DVD plus and the DVD minus format. Although many people see them as a solution, as a consumer you will still need to decide which DVD recordable disc you need to buy.
On the next page we will continue to help you on picking the right format...
Want to submit your own review? Click here
Posted by o0RaidR0o on Saturday 12 April 2003 00:25
Honestly you really need to tell your readers that unless they are in the market to buy a brand new stand-alone DVD player they should go with a recordable format that there current stand-alone can play.
Otherwise it is misleading, a reader may very well go out and buy a DVD+ recorder to find that what he/she has recorded in + can't be played by their DVD- player.
I myself bought a Pioneer A05, becasue my current DVD theatre system only supports minus as does all older gen players.
Otherwise it is misleading, a reader may very well go out and buy a DVD+ recorder to find that what he/she has recorded in + can't be played by their DVD- player.
I myself bought a Pioneer A05, becasue my current DVD theatre system only supports minus as does all older gen players.
Posted by Kenshin on Saturday 12 April 2003 16:21
Really? A DVD player that cannot play DVD+ media? Then you should give up your player instead of giving up DVD+ format.
Posted by vdown on Saturday 12 April 2003 18:33
I have never found any player that doesnt play both formats.
To me the compatibility thing seems to be a myth.
The only time I run into problems is with PC DVD Roms.
Also how about mentioning recording speeds +R does do at least 2.4x wher you can be stuck with 1x with DVD-R (though not much anymore)
To me the compatibility thing seems to be a myth.
The only time I run into problems is with PC DVD Roms.
Also how about mentioning recording speeds +R does do at least 2.4x wher you can be stuck with 1x with DVD-R (though not much anymore)
Posted by rdgrimes on Saturday 12 April 2003 20:34
One correction: The first LiteOn DVD burner will be DVD+ only. Model LDW-401S. At the projected price for this drive of under $200, it may well have a big impact on the format war. It's not clear if LiteOn still plans to offer a dual-format burner, but the LDW-401S will have a dual-format capable chipset. 
Posted by JJJB on Sunday 13 April 2003 02:05
No big deal My Sony burns both.My first generation Yamaha DVD-S700 will play both
+/- R but neither +/- RW so I went and bought a cheap new Sony DVD player for 80.00 and it plays ALL ! Problem solved !!
+/- R but neither +/- RW so I went and bought a cheap new Sony DVD player for 80.00 and it plays ALL ! Problem solved !!
Posted by mluyben on Sunday 13 April 2003 09:02
Well, I'm fairly new to burning DVD's but sofar both formats work on any standalone player I have tried [from expensive to cheap]. I bought the Sony and it doesn't always like the DVD brands I try on it, so this seems more trouble to me than the playability.
The only problem I got was an older DVD-Rom player who didn't like DVD+R's [NEC in this case].
I use both -R/RW and +R/RW. I like the +RW the best because it is the fastest, formats in seconds, 2.4x instead of 1x [If you dont pay attention to the version of the -RW].
For -R and +R, I don't have a preference to either, the cheapest that work are fine....
The only problem I got was an older DVD-Rom player who didn't like DVD+R's [NEC in this case].
I use both -R/RW and +R/RW. I like the +RW the best because it is the fastest, formats in seconds, 2.4x instead of 1x [If you dont pay attention to the version of the -RW].
For -R and +R, I don't have a preference to either, the cheapest that work are fine....
Posted by KiNgDaN on Sunday 20 April 2003 11:58
Well im just gonna wait untill liteons dvd burner is available before i go out buying one. i've had a few cd-burners and my liteon was way the best.
Posted by ilscuro on Tuesday 22 April 2003 18:01
When i owned a +r recorder i found that the majority of standalones wouldnt play them, so switched to -r and not had aproblem since.
With regard to -r 1x writing i think you will find that with the new firmware releases most -r writers now write at 2x and some even at 4x
With regard to -r 1x writing i think you will find that with the new firmware releases most -r writers now write at 2x and some even at 4x
Posted by TGambitG on Tuesday 29 April 2003 17:44
Actually, DVD-R isn't limited to just 1x... depends on both your burner and your media. Also, Lite-On's Dual Format burner model number is LDW-400D for those interested.
Posted by LesterVegh on Sunday 11 May 2003 14:51
Yesterday, Lite-on released their first DVD recorder in the dual mode form, a rebaged Sony! Boy am I disappointed.... why buy Lite-on when the Sony is cheaper and has " Brand Identity" ? Now I have to research all over again...
Posted by jolo on Tuesday 20 May 2003 02:45
Your conclusion was ...... NO CONCLUSION at all.
Very bad. There is only one writer, the Sony which records both formats, so what you have said is, you don't see any reason not to buy a Sony. Good advertisement.
The other DVD writers are vaporware, they don't EXIST !!
Whether you burn in -R and +R format, it should play on all DVD players.
So blow some money and only buy the Sony, great conclusions. You must get demos at cdfreaks.
Posted by Frogfart on Thursday 05 June 2003 14:29
Is it true that only DVD- format can backup Playstation 2 discs?
Posted by DoMiN8ToR on Thursday 05 June 2003 14:58
I'm sorry but you are wrong, currently many manufacturers have released dual format writers -> LG, Lite-On, Cendyne, Verbatim, NEC, Teac, Iomega, TDK and a lot more...
Posted by mystic_moon2 on Monday 23 June 2003 21:59
I have a memorex DVD+RW/+R
Here is my question can I burn on a DVD-R
Or am I only able to use DVD+R Which have been working but there is more sales on the DVD-R then the plus . I can more then likely play them both on my player which is made to play all burned DVD's and CD's thank you .
Here is my question can I burn on a DVD-R
Or am I only able to use DVD+R Which have been working but there is more sales on the DVD-R then the plus . I can more then likely play them both on my player which is made to play all burned DVD's and CD's thank you .
Posted by mystic_moon2 on Monday 23 June 2003 21:59
I have a memorex DVD+RW/+R
Here is my question can I burn on a DVD-R
Or am I only able to use DVD+R Which have been working but there is more sales on the DVD-R then the plus . I can more then likely play them both on my player which is made to play all burned DVD's and CD's thank you .
Here is my question can I burn on a DVD-R
Or am I only able to use DVD+R Which have been working but there is more sales on the DVD-R then the plus . I can more then likely play them both on my player which is made to play all burned DVD's and CD's thank you .
Posted by mystic_moon2 on Monday 23 June 2003 22:01
Sorry I dont know why it did that I only clicked it once 
Posted by G@M3FR3@K on Monday 23 June 2003 22:14
If you have a DVD+R(W) burner you cannot burn DVD-R(W). There are some rumours that the NEC ND-1100A (+) can be flashed to an ND-1300A (±
but as of yet no-one has successfully done so. The above case is the only one I know of, other DVD+R(W) drives will always be limited to recording DVD+R(W) media only.
but as of yet no-one has successfully done so. The above case is the only one I know of, other DVD+R(W) drives will always be limited to recording DVD+R(W) media only.Posted by G@M3FR3@K on Monday 23 June 2003 22:16
To my knowledge a PS2 can read both DVD-R and DVD+R. My mate's PS2 can read my Philips DVD+R media fine (but I've only tested it with DVD back-ups and not games since his PS2 is unmodded).
Posted by mystic_moon2 on Thursday 26 June 2003 17:15
Oh thank you very much I will not bother to buy them even though with the rainchecks and the sale they would have been 1 dollar each. that would have been nice since I burn like crazy.. 
thnak you very much once again.
thnak you very much once again. Posted by mystic_moon2 on Thursday 26 June 2003 17:18
I can play all my burned games on my sons ps2 but not games until he gets a chip for it or we download a program that by passes the copy right about the same as with movies
Posted by Martypellow on Sunday 15 February 2004 17:58
how do you find out which format your recoder reads
(cd+r cd -r) if anyone can help send to
Martypellow@tesco.net
(cd+r cd -r) if anyone can help send to
Martypellow@tesco.net
Posted by gastrof on Monday 03 January 2005 09:40
I have just ONE question-
What is the format "the big boys" use?
Certainly there must be a format used to produce professional DVDs, movies and TV shows on disc. The ones that play in EVERYONE'S player? WHY don't they use THAT format (whatever it is) in home recorders, and bring the format war to a grinding halt?
What is the format "the big boys" use?
Certainly there must be a format used to produce professional DVDs, movies and TV shows on disc. The ones that play in EVERYONE'S player? WHY don't they use THAT format (whatever it is) in home recorders, and bring the format war to a grinding halt?
Posted by Chad (guest) on Monday 23 April 2007 15:25
I believe major producers of DVDs use UDF (Universal Disk Format), for a nice burner that uses this format can run around a thousand bucks, but there are cheaper models.
Posted by Martand (guest) on Wednesday 25 April 2007 04:00
JVC DR-MV5 DVD Recorder and VHS Combo.
Hi all, I'm really confused about this whole deal! I've got a JVC DR-MV5 which records to DVD-R and DVD-RW, but can play back all formats including Dual Layer movies.
When I record from my Satellite Receiver to a DVD-R and then try to play that DVD-R on any other DVD player, it doesn't play! I've also tried dozens of times putting part-filled as well as filled-to-capacity DVD-Rs, which were also recorded on the JVC into my PC. Under "Properties" in "My Computer" it says the disc has 0 bytes used as well as 0 bytes free!! I can't seem to make DVD-Rs to watch in another room or on my PC!! My PC has a multi drive supporting multi format read and write and I've tried my DVD-Rs on a few different DVD players with no luck.
Any suggestions would be most appreciated as I've been stuck on this for a year now
Thank you very much in advance!
Hi all, I'm really confused about this whole deal! I've got a JVC DR-MV5 which records to DVD-R and DVD-RW, but can play back all formats including Dual Layer movies.
When I record from my Satellite Receiver to a DVD-R and then try to play that DVD-R on any other DVD player, it doesn't play! I've also tried dozens of times putting part-filled as well as filled-to-capacity DVD-Rs, which were also recorded on the JVC into my PC. Under "Properties" in "My Computer" it says the disc has 0 bytes used as well as 0 bytes free!! I can't seem to make DVD-Rs to watch in another room or on my PC!! My PC has a multi drive supporting multi format read and write and I've tried my DVD-Rs on a few different DVD players with no luck.
Any suggestions would be most appreciated as I've been stuck on this for a year now
Thank you very much in advance!
Posted by Loomster (guest) on Saturday 07 July 2007 18:26
It seems like whenever I rent a dvd movie it will run on any dvd player. If this is the case then what format are the people who make dvd movies using? I never hear from Blockbuster that I need to rent a dvd+ or dvd- disk. I burn dvd+ and it runs fine on my pc and dvd player, but does not run on my neighbors dvd player.
I am still confused
I am still confused
Posted by John (guest) on Tuesday 20 November 2007 19:30
As I understand it the DVDs you buy from the movies shelf or hire from blockbusters are materially different from any kind of recordable DVD, and it is this material difference that is the problem for some DVD players. These DVDs have names like "Type 5" and "Type 9"
Recordable DVDs, +R, -R, or any other kind, are specifically designed to be created by a lazer beam in your DVD recorder.
Commercially produced DVDs are created using a manufacturing process that involves creating a glass master, then using that master to create bulk copies. This process physically cannot be done by a dvd recorder's lazer beam using the same materials. Google DVD replication to learn more, and contrast it with duplication.
Investing in the equipment to produce these at home is not a realistic proposition for most people.
There are DVD replication companies who can take your home-produced DVD and use it to produce commercial dvds, but this is cost effective really only if you are producing a 100 or more of the same DVD. (Many service providers offer a minimum run of 500, a few will do much smaller quantities but at a much higher unit cost).
Recordable DVDs, +R, -R, or any other kind, are specifically designed to be created by a lazer beam in your DVD recorder.
Commercially produced DVDs are created using a manufacturing process that involves creating a glass master, then using that master to create bulk copies. This process physically cannot be done by a dvd recorder's lazer beam using the same materials. Google DVD replication to learn more, and contrast it with duplication.
Investing in the equipment to produce these at home is not a realistic proposition for most people.
There are DVD replication companies who can take your home-produced DVD and use it to produce commercial dvds, but this is cost effective really only if you are producing a 100 or more of the same DVD. (Many service providers offer a minimum run of 500, a few will do much smaller quantities but at a much higher unit cost).
Posted by KL (guest) on Thursday 20 December 2007 02:18
Martand, I'm sure you've figured it out by now but just in case your still scatching your head 8 months later!
You most likely haven't "Finalised" your discs, you need to do this in order to make them playable in other players other than your JVC machine.
If you don't "finalise" the disc then you can only watch your disc in your JVC machine or pewrhaps other JVC recorders. Refer to your user manual as to how you can "finalise" your discs.
You most likely haven't "Finalised" your discs, you need to do this in order to make them playable in other players other than your JVC machine.
If you don't "finalise" the disc then you can only watch your disc in your JVC machine or pewrhaps other JVC recorders. Refer to your user manual as to how you can "finalise" your discs.
Posted by Ricardo Verdi (guest) on Friday 22 February 2008 23:05
Yes I want to confirm KL's comment about finalising any DVD you want to play in another machine. Instructions are in the manual.
(But the manual isn't very comprehensive, some error messages that show on screen are not mentioned in the manual)
But my problem is, I have written a home movie to DVD using Sothink software which should make it readable on any DVD player. I used DVD-R as my dad's JVC DR-MV5 says it accepts this kind of disc. The player seems to recognise the disc (DVD-R lights up) but it won't play it. I was told to write to the DVD-R at slow speed, as apparently the DR-MV5 cannot read it if it was written at 8x (as my computer writes it if the disc allows), so I wrote the DVD again at 2x speed, but my dad's DVD player still won't play it. Other DVD players do. Any suggestions welcome. I live in Ireland, my dad lives in England, when I visit i try this & that & get frustrated! I don't even have a TV at home. I just use the PC.
(But the manual isn't very comprehensive, some error messages that show on screen are not mentioned in the manual)
But my problem is, I have written a home movie to DVD using Sothink software which should make it readable on any DVD player. I used DVD-R as my dad's JVC DR-MV5 says it accepts this kind of disc. The player seems to recognise the disc (DVD-R lights up) but it won't play it. I was told to write to the DVD-R at slow speed, as apparently the DR-MV5 cannot read it if it was written at 8x (as my computer writes it if the disc allows), so I wrote the DVD again at 2x speed, but my dad's DVD player still won't play it. Other DVD players do. Any suggestions welcome. I live in Ireland, my dad lives in England, when I visit i try this & that & get frustrated! I don't even have a TV at home. I just use the PC.
Posted by Ricardo Verdi (guest) on Friday 22 February 2008 23:08
Should I try a firmware upgrade to the player? How likely is it to work? Might it damage the machine? I don't want to upset my dad! He's upset that he can't watch my home video, but would be even more upset if he couldn't watch any other DVD!
Posted by Ricardo Verdi (guest) on Friday 22 February 2008 23:12
I just re-read Martand's posting. Although I haven't got the manual with me now, I'm fairly sure that it said it only plays DVD-RAM, DVD-R & DVD-RW: no mention of DVD+R or DVD+RW. I must check this next time I visit my dad.
Related tags
A tag is a relevant keyword or term associated with or assigned to a piece of information (like picture, product, or video clip), thus describing the item and enabling keyword-based classification of information it is applied to. We use it to make searching our database easier and enable all our users to contribute to our database.
add a tag
Add related tags
Related reviews/articles
Get the latest reviews via RSS 
