simple CD question

stiched · Sep 3, 2005

i went out the other day to get some rerecordable CDs and i was flooded with a range of all different types from CD-r to DVD=RW duel layer, in the end i managed to find out what everything was but the one thing that confused me most was, i have been told there is no difference between CD-R and CD+R, surely there must be a diference soemwhere!!
what is the + and the - for and what do they mean? is one better than the other?

DavidGP · Sep 3, 2005

Do you mean DVD-R and DVD+R?

yes there are differences, its like saying VHS and Betamax are/were the same!

DVD - & + are different writing formats that emerged and are still being argued over as to which is the best so these days to avoid any consumer confusion most manufacturers produce dual format writers that can write in both - and + ( but some writer can only write in minus if its a - drive so if you bought a + disk it woulnt work and vice versa )

CD types and by no means a comprehensive listing....

CDR ~ Write once
CDRW ~ Write and Erase many times

DVD-R ~ Write once
DVD+R ~ Write once
DVD-RW ~ Write and Erase many times
CVD+RW ~ Write and Erase many times
( These have a 4.7gb limit )

then you goto Dual layer DVD types which burn upto 8.5gb

~Pyrate~ · Sep 3, 2005

I might elaborate a bit on the + and -, they're CD/DVD equivalents of imperial and metric, as in the difference between centimeters and inches, you can measure just as well with either system and neither is really better than the other. Although some disk image formats write better in - or + than the other. So depending on what you are burning it would be better to choose one over the other. Like it's easier to say I'm 6 ft tall as opposed to 182.88cm and easier to say a fan is 92mm as opposed to 3.6220472404 inches.

oh .. and yay I'm 1337

DavidGP · Sep 3, 2005

xp1 said:

If you mean cds cdr is cdr and cdrw is cdrw.
Click to expand...

What the hell is that ment to mean?

sleepygamer213 · Sep 3, 2005

I think he just wants to get a post in? Anyway, I prefer DVD+R dual layer.... but thats just me. For DATA a CD-R is fine. For MUSIC a CD-R is a MUST, last time i checked whatever ur gonna play your music in wont play a CD-RW.

theefool · Sep 3, 2005

To many websites....but anyway, I hope this helps:

DVD+R and DVD+RW
DVD+R and DVD+RW formats are supported by Philips, Sony, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Ricoh, Yamaha and others.

DVD+R is a recordable DVD format similar to CD-R. A DVD+R can record data only once and then the data becomes permanent on the disc. The disc can not be recorded onto a second time.

DVD+RW is a re-recordable format similar to CD-RW. The data on a DVD+RW disc can be erased and recorded over numerous times without damaging the medium.

DVDs created by a +R/+RW device can be read by most commercial DVD-ROM players.

DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM
These formats are supported by Panasonic, Toshiba, Apple Computer, Hitachi, NEC, Pioneer, Samsung and Sharp. These formats are also supported by the DVD Forum.

DVD-R is a recordable DVD format similar to CD-R and DVD+R. A DVD-R can record data only once and then the data becomes permanent on the disc. The disc cannot be recorded onto a second time. There also are two additional standards for DVD-R disks: DVD-RG for general use, and DVD-RA for authoring, which is used for mastering DVD video or data and is not typically available to the general public.

DVD-RW is a re-recordable format similar to CD-RW or DVD+RW. The data on a DVD-RW disc can be erased and recorded over numerous times without damaging the medium.

DVDs created by a -R/-RW device can be read by most commercial DVD-ROM players.

DVD-RAM discs can be recorded and erased repeatedly but are compatible only with devices manufactured by the companies that support the DVD-RAM format. DVD-RAM discs are typically housed in cartridges.

DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL
Dual layer technology is supported by a range of manufacturers including Dell, HP, Verbatim, Philips, Sony, Yamaha and others. As the name suggests, dual layer technology provides two individual recordable layers on a single-sided DVD disc. Dual Layer is more commonly called Double Layer in the consumer market, and can be seen written as DVD+R DL or DVD-R DL.

DVD+R DL (also called DVD+R9) is a Dual Layer writeable DVD+R.
DVD-R DL (also called DVD-R9) is a Dual Layer writeable DVD-R. The dual layered discs can hold 7.95GB

The dual layered discs (DVD+R9 and DVD-R9) can hold 7.95GB and double sided dual layer (called dvd-18) can hold 15.9GB

DVD-ROM
DVD-ROM was the first DVD standard to hit the market and is a read-only format. The video or game content is burned onto the DVD once and the DVD will run on any DVD-ROM-equipped device.

A Note on DVD Burners
Until 2003 consumers would have to choose a preferred DVD format and purchase the DVD media that was compatible with the specific DVD burner. In 2003 Sony introduced a multi-format DVD burner (also called a combo drive or DVD-Multi) and today many manufacturers offer multi-format DVD burners which are compatible with multiple DVD formats.
Click to expand...

Taken from: http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Hardware_Software/2003/DVDFormatsExplained.asp

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simple CD question

stiched Private First Class

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

~Pyrate~ MajorGeek

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

sleepygamer213 First Sergeant

theefool Geekified