Difference between DVD "+" DISCS AND "-" discs

[janoel]

Have just bought a DVD Player/Recorder which didn't play when a disc was inserted and have now found out that there are two types of discs - one a minus and one a plus. Why is there this difference and why are DVD Players/Recorders either plus or minus?

[kempie]

When technology is being developed it is often the case that various different groups/companies end up in a 'race' to reach a viable end product.

Sometimes the better product prevails and sometimes the cheaper one does (e.g. Betamax was a better format of video cassette but VHS became the more popular), and sometimes the competitors exist side by side.

The next generation of DVD (HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray) continues the saga.

[surfer mike]

If it helps mate, i also bought a HDD/dvd recorder and i find that dvd+ is more popular but mine is a multi format which means it can play both + and -

it should say in your book that came bundled with your recorder what discs are compatible..if not, it's best to google the model number of your recorder and see if you can find what discs will work best for you.

ALL THE BEST.

[Tim B]

I don't know the difinitive answer to this, is anybody going to post it?

[janoel]

Thanks for all your replies**********

By the way Adi400 I actually got the DVD player as a Christmas present otherwise I might have gone into everything thoroughly - I thought that wasn't necessary to mention so just said I purchased it.

[surfer mike]

DVD+R is a dvd disc that allows multiple layers for one disc where as dvd-r only allows one layer. They will not compete to become the de Facto standard, because they are both here to stay. Multi layer DVD+r can allow extra capacity per disc than dvd-r hence its high cost.

DVD-R/RW was developed by Pioneer. Based on CD-RW technology, it uses a similar pitch of the helix, mark length of the 'burn' for data, and rotation control

DVD+R/RW is also based on CD-RW technology. DVD+R/RW is supported by Sony, Philips, HP, Dell, Ricoh, Yamaha, and others, and has recently been endorsed by Microsoft.

[rojash]

Both DVD+R and DVD-R offer dual layer recording - see here:
http://www.emedialive.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?Cate ******=47&ArticleID=8453

[rojash]

How weird! AB found something offensive in the words Category and ID (with no separating space)..