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DVD+RW vs. DVD-RW and the HP dvd300e
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Posted by: pigonthewing

What is the difference between DVD+RW and DVD-RW, and why does it matter?

I am considering an HP dvd300e burner, and I'm wondering if the fact it only records to DVD+RW, but not DVD-RW, really matters, and if so, how much?

I guess what's most important is: which format do home entertainment DVD players play?

Thanks.

Posted by: Bryanmc

You'll get a religious war on this, but with the price of dual format burners now why even mess with one that only does one format?

If it were me and I was getting one that only did one format, I'd go with a -R burner.

Posted by: Raj

I agree with "get a dual burner". That way you can still burn discs that will play in "most newer" DVD players when the inferio+R format undercuts DVD-R in price and drives them off the market.:D

Posted by: Ereth

Full disclosure: I, personally, prefer the +RW format.

Having said that, there are players out there that won't play +RW and other players that won't play -RW. The number is small, and mostly older players. Most modern players will play both. My Playstation 2 will play +RW disks, and the newer ones play both.

I recommend you go to www.dvdrhelp.com and look at the player compatibility listing and see where the home player you have falls. That should help make your decision easier.

Posted by: Raj

quote:
Originally posted by Ereth
Having said that, there are players out there that won't play +RW.... The number is small, and mostly older players.

It's not just limited to older players. New Panasonics and a few other brands won't play +R or +RW, but will work fine at the minimum with DVD-R.

quote:
Most modern players will play both. My Playstation 2 will play +RW disks, and the newer ones play both.

My PS2 doesn't play +RW. It hesitates to read +R but ends up playing it eventually. DVD-R and DVD-RW work fine, just like regular DVD's. I bought mine in late 2001, if that means anything.

I personally think that if you're doing write once DVD recording that DVD-R is the better format to use since it's more compatible. +RW might be good for set-top recorders if you plan to erase and re-use or edit your burned disc, but DVD-RAM does a better job at that than +RW in every aspect except widespread availability and compatibility.

Posted by: Ereth

That's interesting, Raj. My PS2 plays +RW without hesitation, exactly as if it were a commercial DVD. In fact, that was the first test I made, figuring if it would play on a PS2 I had a pretty good chance of it playing anywhere. (Note: I did make a disc for one friend who couldn't play it in her DVD player, but could play it in her Xbox. That's the only incompatibility I've ever run into). I wonder why the difference there?

I'm surprised that Panasonic would remove +RW support since their players have had it in the past. That makes no sense. Sounds like politics at play here.

And I wouldn't use DVD-RAM for anything, as it fails the most important test of all.. the ability to be used in other players, like my computer or my set top DVD player.

Posted by: logic88

quote:
Originally posted by Ereth
That's interesting, Raj. My PS2 plays +RW without hesitation, exactly as if it were a commercial DVD. In fact, that was the first test I made, figuring if it would play on a PS2 I had a pretty good chance of it playing anywhere. (Note: I did make a disc for one friend who couldn't play it in her DVD player, but could play it in her Xbox. That's the only incompatibility I've ever run into). I wonder why the difference there?

Perhaps it's different hardware revs of the PS2? Or it might be due to flaky hardware? I know that my Apex AD1500 would not play RWs reliably even though everyone else's AD1500 seem to play RWs just fine.