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