[David Turnedge]

Although my Mac works with either, which is more compatible with more devices - both 4GB and DL 8GB DVDs?

[Huy]

'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'
-- Wikipedia

[JonoNZ]

DVD+R is generally considered more compatible -- and I've never had a problem with it in any device I've tried a +R disk in.

[dolbinau]

Originally Posted by JonoNZ

DVD+R is generally considered more compatible -- and I've never had a problem with it in any device I've tried a +R disk in.

Source? My eMac superdrive can't even burn DVD+R disks. -R works with everything..(because of the reasons Huy posted above)

[JonoNZ]

Originally Posted by dolbinau

Source? My eMac superdrive can't even burn DVD+R disks. -R works with everything..(because of the reasons Huy posted above)

Plenty of articles, this is the first one to come up on Google, pretty old but still relevant. Why DVD+R(W) is superior to DVD-R(W) on CD Freaks.com - Reviews

[vicmeldrew]

My last revision iBook would not read discs burnt on DVD+.R. Used DVD-R on macs i dealt with since without problems.

[David Turnedge]

So... no clear answer then?

[darksplat]

David use DVD-R to use in everyday devices like DVD Players and for more Capability options to other users and devices

[Brains]

Seconded - DVD-R is supported by more devices than DVD+R is. I've three computers here with DVD drives, only one can read DVD+R (and that's the PC with an LG DVD burner bought last year). In the lounge are a Philips DVD player and a Conia DVD/DivX player, neither can read +R's.

[titan44]

+1 for -R

[hachoo]

-R's have been around a little longer and as above, older DVD players are only compatible with this format. However if you're using technology from the last couple of years, it really doesn't matter. All my cheapo DVD players can play +R's and they're at least 2 years old. People say +R's actually burn better....

[Brains]

Burn better? Hogwash, the only difference between -R and +R is the on-disc preformatting and disc information table that can be "locked" so that it appears as a DVD-ROM. The data substrate used is exactly the same in both (formula differences between manufacturers notwithstanding).

[kim jong il]

DVD- FTW

NOTE: I've tried to make the above all upper case four times now but the stupid forum software won't let me.

NOTE 2: Actually, it does let me if I post the rant as well (it wont let me post the first line all upper case if I don't include second line rant). Stupid forum software

[hachoo]

Originally Posted by Brains

Burn better? Hogwash, the only difference between -R and +R is the on-disc preformatting and disc information table that can be "locked" so that it appears as a DVD-ROM. The data substrate used is exactly the same in both (formula differences between manufacturers notwithstanding).

Mind you, that's what I read in PC User from their test. Also saw this on CDFreaks: Why DVD+R(W) is superior to DVD-R(W) on CD Freaks.com - Reviews

[David Turnedge]

OK thanks to you all for your help!

[detail]

Here's an opinionated piece which says DVD+ are better for archiving.

DVD-R sucks for data preservation for three reasons: inferior error correction, inferior ‘wobble’ tracking, and the fact its data writing methods look like an un-needed halfway point between CD-R and DVD+R.

For the full argument, its pretty extensive, see:

How To Choose CD/DVD Archival Media

[Erwin]

I have to admit, I've burned video DVDs on both DVD- and DVD+ and both have played on multiple different DVD players.

[stevekicks]

i use -R for everything unless im burning a dual layer dvd, then i use +R.

the +R standard of DL discs alows you to specify a layer break - which is very important if you are copying a dual layer video disc. if its just data, you can use either

[tcn33]

I give the whole issue precisely zero thought - when I walk into Officeworks or wherever, I pick up the closest one to hand and it always works just fine. Isn't that the point of being a Mac user?

[methre]

I've actually had a few issues with burning since I switched to Mac... my old TDK DVD+Rs no longer worked good (or they would work once or twice and then I'd keep getting errors like this) so I decided to switch to Verbatim DVD-R and they worked a few times and then I got the same problem....

I came across this webpage which actually helped a lot and in the end, after testing with a friend's TDK DVD-Rs (which finally worked!), I went out and bought a pack and have been using those ever since.

I've got a whole heap of new coasters as a result, but now it works good so I'm happy