| A few million people have at least a few | | | | of all data and storage space on the |
| homemade video DVDs and the majority of | | | | physical disc. The error correction with |
| the entire U.S. population or world has | | | | regard to DVD-R/RW drives is not as |
| a few homemade CDs. They may have made | | | | effective and can result in more errors |
| them or received them from friends. But | | | | allowing for the creation of a shiny new |
| what are your choices and which do you | | | | coaster. |
| need? Very few individuals ever think | | | | The other key difference between the two |
| about the DVD-R format verses the DVD+R | | | | formats is regarding multi-sessions. |
| format and how each could benefit the | | | | While both formats support multi-session |
| end user. They just want it to work. | | | | writing, the total amount of storage |
| Which should you choose? | | | | space on DVD-R/RW discs will be |
| The similarities of each are that they | | | | sacrificed and dwindle the more |
| are compatible with the majority of all | | | | multi-session writing is used. When the |
| home DVD video players. The older the | | | | user writes any amount of data onto a |
| DVD player means that chances are the | | | | DVD-R/RW disc and then ends the session, |
| media won't be fully compatible, | | | | the drive needs to "finalize" that |
| although this has largely become a | | | | session in order for any other drive or |
| concern of the past. | | | | video DVD player to be able to read that |
| Similar to the opposing high definition | | | | data. This finalizing of each session |
| standards fight, there are two differing | | | | can take up to 18 MB. Without realizing |
| formats of blank DVD media. The two | | | | it, you can be cheating yourself out of |
| consortiums that exist today are the | | | | valuable storage space. DVD+R/RW also |
| DVD+RW Alliance and the DVD Forum. The | | | | needs to "finalize" its multi-sessions, |
| DVD+RW Alliance support the DVD +R/RW | | | | but only requires 2 MB per session. Very |
| format while the DVD Forum advocates the | | | | quickly one can see that 4.7 GB disc end |
| DVD -R/RW format. The standards set | | | | up being a 3.9 GB disc. |
| forth by these two organizations have | | | | The most common difference, and the one |
| created many differences, but the most | | | | most people use to decide which format |
| important ones should be examined when | | | | to use, is cost. DVD-R/RW media is much |
| deciding which format to use. | | | | cheaper than the competing DVD+R/RW |
| The discs themselves are essentially | | | | media. This is partially due to |
| identical to each other. The drives are | | | | differing brand names and the type of |
| what create the incompatibility. The | | | | metallic surfacing and sealing that is |
| biggest difference is that there are a | | | | used on each disc. There are differences |
| myriad of microscopic wobbles created by | | | | and these can play a role in quality. |
| the drive of the DVD+R/RW discs. This | | | | Generic blank media may suffice for |
| wobble is detected by the recording | | | | some; however, the idiom, "You get what |
| playback drive to greatly increase the | | | | you pay for" can accurately be assigned |
| timing accuracy of storing and locating | | | | to this type of product. |
| the information that is stored on the | | | | With these key differences outlined |
| disc itself. DVD-R/RW drives also create | | | | above, one can begin to see why DVD+R/RW |
| this wobble, but at a much lower | | | | media may be a better choice. The end |
| frequency. This essentially means that | | | | quality of the product you wish to |
| DVD+R/RW discs can store and retrieve | | | | create is what should guide you to your |
| data with more precise timing and | | | | choice. For basic everyday temporary |
| accuracy. | | | | storage, an office may decide on the |
| Another difference that should be | | | | cheaper alternative, but for the |
| considered is the importance of error | | | | self-authoring video hobbyist, the |
| detection. DVD+R/RW drives utilize error | | | | choice is clear. |
| correction at a much higher rate of 100% | | | | |