DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RAM, DVD+RW, etc. etc.???

Simmer wrote on 1/8/2003, 1:54 PM

Here are some questions that I've had for some time.
Does anyone have some enlightening info they could shed?

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1) What exactly is the difference between the assorted media types: DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD+R, DVD+RW? (I'm not refering to the capability of burners or the data being put onto the media but the actual media that is being marketed)?

2) If DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD+R, DVD+RW media are all 4.7Gig then why is media sold specifically as DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD+R or DVD+RW?
(Refer below for clarification).
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My difficulty in understanding this is:

A bit is a bit. 4.7 Gig is 4.7 Gig.
The difference in media then must be a function of ANY one or ANY combination of the following, correct?

1) The meaning of the organization of the bits on the media is different between DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD+R and DVD+RW. So the difference here IS format.
2) A difference in reflectivity of the media exists between the different versions.
3) The size of the pits and hills is different between the different media types. (I'm assuming that this would force DVD-Players to refocus the lazer in order to access the different media types, or use a different lazer color altogether).

So, question:

If 2) or 3) above do not exist, then the only difference between the marketed media types is format. If this is true then one could reason either or all of the following:

1) If the only difference is format then one should be able to burn a DVD-R disk in a DVD+R burner and visa-versa. Correct?
2) If the only difference is format perhaps the media difference is marketing ploy?

Any clues?

Sorry for being so long-winded.
Thanks

-Mike

Comments

JJKizak wrote on 1/8/2003, 5:56 PM

You forgot DVD-VR, DVD+VR, DVDA, DVD(biodegradable after three days use).

James J. Kizak

Grazie wrote on 1/9/2003, 12:45 AM

Simmerheli - Yes it is a mite confusing - agreed. Try this link for VCD help. Guess what the link is called? You got it: www.vcdhelp.com

See if they can illuminate your path to Nirvana! It's tough and yes I still don't/can't get my head round it all. I'm just sitting back waiting for one of the major players Philips/Sony/Panasonic et al to blink and come out with an all singing and dancing "Throw-anything-at-me" deck before I take this platter lark tooooo seriously.

In the meantime I've tried some of my VF SVCD/VCD/sDVD [or should that be xDVD not sure - see what I mean!] that I created on U-Leads MovieFactory AND VideoFactory VCD on two different friends different DVD players - all got spat out! Took the same VCD/SVD and sDVD[or should that be xDVD not sure - see what I mean!] to a major DVD stockist and played some really embarrassing French Holiday stuff in full view of their Customers - AND in widescreen - OOeerr! Looked brilliant BUT I think my face went red . . . . .

Grazie

laz1 wrote on 1/9/2003, 3:53 AM

I may be offkey but I think the various formats are to do with different manufacturers systems. I believe there are 3; Sony is one but I can't recall the other 2. It's a bit like the variations between vhs, betamax, philips systems of old. Professional film-makers use special means to burn to dvd so all three systems can read their dvd's. But for us mere mortals if we burn on 1 system, if the standalone player isn't the same system, it can't be read, except by another pc. Naughty, naughty.

Simmer wrote on 1/9/2003, 9:03 AM

Thanks for all's comments. (I just noticed that there dosn't seem to be any emoticon support here).. :)

Anyway. yeah, it seems that we, as the mass public consumer, are being kept in the dark on this issue. I begin to wonder why? :?

Actually, I'm not so concerned really with why say, DVD-R or DVD+R won't play in a particular Home DVD player, but more intrigued with the idea of "can I burn DVD-R media in a DVD+R burn or visa-versa".
If the differences between DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, etc., etc. is only format (i.e. intrepretation of the packets of bits/data on the media) then it seems to me that it really dosn't matter what a manufacturer happens to put on its product, DVD-R, DVD+R, etc. Any DVD type, 4.7 Gig media should be able to be burned in any 4.7 Gig type DVD burner, regardless of the advertised format of that burner.

Hmmmmm....

Still musing. :-)

See yu

-Mike

Grazie wrote on 1/9/2003, 9:11 AM

Waddya mean no emmotional support here? I presume that's what you menat! ;)

Oh yes - did you try "Try this link for VCD help. Guess what the link is called? You got it: www.vcdhelp.com" - if so what did you gather?

Regards

Grazie

Simmer wrote on 1/9/2003, 11:44 AM

Hi Grazie.

Actually I meant "emoticon" not "emotional". hee hee.
I'm sure there is plenty of "emotional". :-D
Emotocons are the little graphics folks can use to represent emotion instead of using the actual keys like: :-)

Anyway, I did check out www.vcdhelp.com. I began a new thread on this subject on the VCD Help forum in:
forum/Authoring and burning subject is DVD+R in DVD-R burner?

http://www.vcdhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=135784

Some interesting comments here so far. :-)

See yu

-Mike

Grazie wrote on 1/9/2003, 8:02 PM

"Emotocons" - Love it love it! Never heard of this . . . brilliant stuff . . .That's going in the back pocket when I next play Scrabble and I'm stuck with all those "O"s . .. I'll have a look at VCD forum. Cheers

Grazie

miketree wrote on 1/10/2003, 5:42 AM

Grazie,

Make sure it's in the dictionary first!!

p_l wrote on 1/10/2003, 7:36 AM

It is.

:)

Grazie wrote on 1/10/2003, 10:32 AM

p_l! - Where the H$%LL have you been? Oh yes . . . I know. .. . . . "Flying through the Dark-Side" - Seen the posts . . . 'ave you got bored over there? Come back for a bit o' light relief on the "Bright Side". See the Audio Synch 2-Step is going strong . . . have been verrrryyy tempted to post something now and again . . . but then again - neah! - Just upgraded to VV - 'nuf said?

Thanks for the SCRABBLE thingy link. Good to see you about again,

Cheers and a Happy New Year,

Grazie

"Luke - Feel the Force Within you"

p_l wrote on 1/10/2003, 2:40 PM

Cheers Grazie,
As you've seen, I'm still fighting the good fight over there, and hopefully getting a few converts to SOFO, though I have to be more subtle about it. But I've been reading over here regularly and with interest and pleasure. Congrats on VV and the new cam. I just don't post here that often because A) I'm having no problems, and B) there are so many more qualified people than me here who offer help. But I am still with you.;)

Grazie wrote on 1/11/2003, 2:43 AM

p_l - You'd the best! You'd The Man! - P_l - don't be a stranger over here or Vegas.

See - I BET you really enjoyed making that "Force" link for us all. Come over here and put yer feet up now and again - crack a couple o' beers from time to time. Life aint all NLE angst yer know - yeah?

Seeyah matey,

Grazie

p_l wrote on 1/11/2003, 5:58 AM

Thanks Grazie :)

And to try to make myself a little useful here and not entirely hijack the thread, here is a direct link that tries to answer simmerheli's original question. Short answer? Get a DVD burner that supports both DVD-R and DVD+R.

Hope this helps! :)