DVD-R vs. DVD+RW

In trying to determine the best media data storage method, I've been informed that DVD-R is one session and permanent while DVD+RW is multi-session and to some extent reusable. As I understand it, you burn something to DVD-R once and that's it--so if it doesn't fill up the whole disk it's kind of a waste, and if you make a mistake burning it you'd better find a creative decorative use for the disk as it's no earthly use ever again for any kind of media storage. With DVD+RW you can redo and add to things until you get them the way you like.

So I have a few questions.

1. Are there ANY advantages to DVD-R over DVD+RW?

2. Is the quality any better?

3. Are DVD+RW disks susceptible to accidents such as unintentionally being erased, and DVD-R not?

And, lastly

4. If you complete a DVD+RW disk is there any way to make it permanent (such as there is by locking a video or cassette tape)?

Thanks for any clarification as to reasons why for these different methods of storage!

Power Mac G4, Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Posted on Dec 23, 2005 12:52 AM

24 replies

Dec 29, 2005 6:57 AM in response to Cornelia Shields

Most dvd+R's don't work in dvd players older than a year old. Just to let you know. I always use dvd -R Becca

ThomasG

Level 5

6,745 points

Dec 29, 2005 12:48 PM in response to Cornelia Shields

My this is a confusing thread to follow.

You have one or more iMovies that you want to burn to DVD with iDVD. You want to burn these to DVD+RW media because you can see how it looks. If you don't like it you can erase the disc and try again. You were hoping that you could burn additional content later without erasing the disc, but learned that is not possible. You have a Combo drive, not a Superdrive, so apparently you don't have a drive that burns DVDs. Do I have this correct?

My sense is you should get a standalone DVD recorder that has a Firewire input. You then could play the iMovie directly to the DVD recorder. I do this with my Pioneer standalone DVD recorder.

Dec 30, 2005 2:23 AM in response to Lennart Thelander

I did buy an external Firewire DVD burner but just because it burns DVDs doesn't make it a SuperDrive so I wasn't sure these instructions applied to the equipment I have.

Also, I'm pretty sure it will burn DVDs but not play them, so I need to be able to make disks that will play in my regular DVD player. I will try the DVD-R disks once I have Toast figured out. It will have to be Toast 6 as my Mac is only Version 10.2.8.

Thanks for the advice.

Dec 30, 2005 2:28 AM in response to Cornelia Shields

This page shows how to make a SVCD in Toast 6. It's easy to just click on the DVD-video button instead of the SVCD button:
http://www.danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6020.shtml

And here's the video:
http://www.danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/CreateSVCDwithToast6.shtml

Jan 10, 2006 9:03 PM in response to Cornelia Shields

Okay, I bought both kinds, and my DVD player is just a year old (a year and four days as of today). I'm marking this as answered as I bought every kind of a blank DVD that's made and the only way I'll have another question is if NONE of them work!

kguy

Level 2

420 points

Jan 10, 2006 9:27 PM in response to Cornelia Shields

Cornelia- Ah- this is the problem.

You have a combo-drive.

A Combo-drive can play DVDs and Burn CD-R and CD-RW discs.

A Combo-drive can NOT burn DVDs.

The latest version of Toast (version 7.0) has the capability of automatically reducing the quality of your video file to fit onto a CD-R or CD-RW. However, be advised that your video quality may be degraded rather severely, as CD-R or CD-RW has a substantially lower capacity than a DVD.

Jan 11, 2006 12:19 AM in response to Cornelia Shields

In response to kguy (down here since I can't seem to Reply directly):

That's okay, I bought a DVD burner which connects to the Mac by a firewire but it's too bad there's no way to just play the movie from iMovie straight to the DVD. The questions were:
1. What method should I use to transfer material from iMovie to prepare it to be burned on DVD? (The concensus seemed to be that iDVD was too cumbersome/prone to possible errors and I should try Toast.)
2. What kind of DVD should I use? (No concensus but some opinions on what kind of DVD might play best in what kind of player.)

I am still totally if not terminally confused until I can get well enough along to try these and see which (if any) work but thanks for the answers that got me this far.

Jan 11, 2006 2:59 AM in response to Cornelia Shields

No, actually everyone agrees:

Use dvd-r.

That's it.

For you cannot reliably check your videos for compatibility on media (dvd-rw) which is not reliable on home dvd players.

Jan 11, 2006 6:00 PM in response to Scalzmoney

Okay, DVD -R it is.

When complaining on a newsgroup that I hadn't been able to find these DVDs for 50¢ and less that everyone else was talking about, I received the following useful information, which I pass on for your consideration.

Highly recommended information to help you make the cost/quality decision: http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm

And equally helpful in deciding WHERE to buy: http://www.digitalfaq.com/dvdguides/buyerguides/buymedia.htm

After reading these sources, I now use exclusively Taiyo-Yuden discs (Both CD-R and DVD+R) which I buy exclusively from www.supermediastore.com I am very pleased with this combination and would not go back to any other brand or vendor.

(This is another person whose name I've omitted, not me, writing, so anyone feel free to agree or dispute.)

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DVD-R vs. DVD+RW