What's the difference between DVD-RW & DVD+RW...?

Question

What's the difference between DVD-RW & DVD+RW...?

Answer 1

They are two competing standards, each coming from a different group of companies.

Philips/ Sony for one, Panasonic/LG and other Japanese companies for the other (I think).

They both do the same thing, but the recorder has to be set differently for each type.

Answer 2

one only records once the other many times, i.e -RW like premanent and the other can be recorded on as many times as you wish.

Answer 3

Hi Brad,

The DVD+R and DVD-R are competing formats much like the old VHS and Beta formats in video tapes. Today most drives are Hybrid and handle both formats. They are usually labeled DVD+/-R

The market for recordable DVD technology never settled down in favor of either the plus or dash formats, which is mostly the result of the increasing numbers of dual-format devices that can record to both formats; it has become very difficult to find new devices that can only record to one of the formats. However, because the DVD-R format has been in use since 1997, it has had a five-year lead on DVD+R. As such, older or cheaper DVD players (up to 2004 vintage) are more likely to favor the DVD-R standard exclusively, and when creating DVD’s for distribution (where the playing unit is unknown or older) the DVD-R format would normally be preferable.

My personal experience has led me towards using the +R. It is slightly better at error handling so more tolerant of dirty or damaged media and also more tolerant to the subtle differences between players.

Norm

Answer 4

blueyes is only half right. The difference is within the dye/material used on the writable surface and which is why the are labelled "+" and "-". Each requires a slightly different strength in laser reading and some players can only read certain dvds (ie either + or -) Most players on the market can read both.

Answer 5

the first answer actually refers to the difference between dvd-r and dvd-rw! im not sure of the difference between plus and minus rw but i know theyre compatible with different dvd players...so make sure you get whichever one is recommended in the dvd player manual :)x

Answer 6

-RWs and -Rs are compatible with more players and is the one you should go for over +'s. This is basically because the minus type were invented 5 years before the plus type. They say that the plus ones though are less prone to errors, but I think this is minimal. However, do check that your specific DVD player can read -R's/-RW's. For guides on this and other consumer electronics, eg HD Guides visit:

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