DVD+R / + RW

1. What is the difference between DVD+R and DVD-R? Is DVD+R better than DVD-R ?
Pioneer produced the first DVD writer in 1997. It used the DVD-R format. The DVD-RW came later. In 1999 the DVD Forum was formed. It embraced the DVD-R format.

In the summer of 1997 Philips lead a group (included Sony and Hewlett-Packard) that split away from other disk manufacturers because of disputed over DVD writing standards. They formed the DVD+RW alliance. Since then Dell, MCC/Verbatim, Mitsubishi, Ricoh, Thomson, and Yamaha have joined the group. They developed the DVD+RW DVD writing format and later the DVD+R format
which was derived from the DVD+RW format.

CDRInfo ran some compatibility tests on both PC and home DVD drives.
They found the following:
DVD-R=96.74% DVD+R=87.32%

Today some manufactures just make either + drivers or - drivers. Others produce both types. Now most of drives that can write both formats. Also if DVD read-only drives are all made to read either then it won't make any difference which format you use.
It comes down to this:
1) DVD-R disks seem to be cheaper now
2) DVD-R disks seem to be more compatible with read-only drives
3) If you make disks for yourself then it does not make any difference which format you use
5) If you make disks for someone else then you make disks that they can read

2. What are Type I, Type II, and Type IV DVD-RAM cartridges?
Type I cartridges are non-removable for both single-sided and double-sided DVD-RAM media. Type II cartridges are removable for single-sided media. Type IV cartridges are removable for double-sided media.
Currently, Imation offers the following DVD-RAM choices:
a. 5.2-gigabyte (GB) double-sided media in a Type I cartridge
b. 2.6-GB and 4.7-GB single-sided media in a Type II cartridge
c. 9.4-GB double-sided media in a Type I and a Type IV cartridge

3. Does my camcorder take your mini DVD-R?
Yes. If your camcorder takes standard mini DVD-R, please confirm with your camcorder manufacturer.

4. Why did I have a big failure rate when I burn the DVD ?
a. Your burner may not support the media format.
b. Media might not be compatible with your burner.
c. You don't have a proper software, hardware, and firmware combination.
d. You might have a problem with your recorder.

5. How can I determine what speed I am burning my media with ?
In most cases the burning speed can be determined from the following chart:
1X full disc burning = approximately 45 minutes
2X full disc burning = approximately 30 minutes
4X full disc burning = approximately 15 minutes

8X full disc burning = approximately 8 minutes

16X full disc burning = approximately 7 minutes

6. What DVD burning software do you recommend on your website?
RecordNow, Nero 7.0, Ulead

7. Can CD-R writers create DVDs?
No. DVD uses a smaller wavelength of laser to make smaller pits in tracks that are closer together. The DVD laser must also focus more tightly and at a different level. In fact, a CD-R made on a CD-R writer may not be readable by a DVD-ROM drive. It's unlikely there will be "upgrades" to convert CD-R drives to DVD-R, since this would cost more than purchasing a new DVD-R drive.

8. Do I need new equipment to play a recorded DVD+R DL disc?
No. Completely in line with the philosophy of the DVD+RW Alliance, the new DVD+R DL discs can be played on existing equipment. This is because double layer playability has been part of the DVD-Video/DVD-ROM standard since the beginning. DVD+R DL compatibility is about equal to that of current single layer DVD+R.

9.What products support DVD+R DL?
To record on a DVD+R DL disc, you need a DVD+R DL capable writer.

10.Do I need different media to record a DVD+R DL disc?
Yes. To take advantage of the double layer recording capabilities of the new DVD+R DL writers, you need the highly advanced DVD+R DL media. This media consists of two recordable layers, instead of just one (as with traditional recordable DVD discs). Note that you can still record single layer DVD+R discs and DVD+RW discs on those new DVD+R DL drives.

11.Do I need new software to write a DVD+R DL disc?
To write a DVD+R DL disc, your CD/DVD recording software needs to support DVD+R DL. Almost all software vendors have announced support for DVD+R DL in their upcoming versions, and most of them offer upgrades for their existing products to include DVD+R DL writing support. Among the companies that have already announced DVD+R DL support are Ahead Nero, Sonic, Ulead, InterVideo, Roxio and Gear.

12.What is the capacity of a DVD+R DL disc?
A DVD+R DL disc hold 8.5 gigabytes of data. This is fully equal to the amount of data on a pre-recorded double layer DVD-Video disc, sometimes referred to as DVD9. A single layer DVD holds 4.7 gigabytes. As the track distance on both layers of any double layer DVD is about 10% wider, the total capacity of both layers equals 8.5 GB.

13.How much video does a DVD+R DL disc hold?
As with DVD+RW and single layer DVD+R, the amount of video one discs holds depends on the quality setting that was chosen during recording. When recorded in the highest possible DVD-Video quality, a DVD+R DL disc holds about 4 hours of video. When video is recorded at VHS quality level, recording time increases to up to 16 hours per disc.

14.Do I need to flip the DVD+R DL disc over to get access to its full capacity?
No. Contrary to other recordable DVD proposals, where you need to manually turn the disc over halfway through recording or playback, a DVD+R DL disc nearly doubles the capacity on a single recording side. The entire disc’s contents can be accessed without the need to take the disc out to turn it over. Furhtermore, a single sided disc allows for easy identification on the label side.

15. Will single layer DVD+R continue to be available?
Yes. Because single layer DVD+R media holds up to 4.7 gigabyes of data (equaling about 6 CD-Rs), this technology still provides very high storage capacities suitable for a wide range of applications. Furthermore, the new DVD+R DL writers will still be able to record to single layer DVD+R as well as DVD+RW media.