CD and DVD +/- ??

WestieFan

This has probably been asked before but I have searched forum and can't find anything.

I am looking to buy some CDs and DVDs and am puzzled with all this + and - that is going on.

Some are just +, some are just - and some are both +/-.

Can somebody explain to a thicko what this is all about?

albertross_2

It's all about competing standards.

CD-R's are write once, and will work in any cd writer or Cd player.

DVD's are more complicated, you need to buy one that is supported by your drive, or the Writer under your telly. What equipment are you using?

WestieFan

Cds - I just use them to put music on to from pc, or to make backup copies of my cd collection (using nero).

Was going to try to make either VCDs or DVDs of holiday/family videos (also using nero after editing with Windows Movie Maker).

I understand the difference between CD and CDRW, its the + and - thing confusing me!!

albertross_2

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=difference+between+DVD-R&meta=

It's just a competing standard, you need to use the media that your equipment supports. More modern PC DVD re-writers support them all, but you need to make sure that the DVD player you are going to play it on supports the format you choose.

WestieFan

Cheers for the link, great help.

I did a search on google too, but didn't get results like yours! Must brush up on my searching skills, or stay in on a Saturday night. :rotfl: :rotfl:

Need_More_Money_2

WestieFan wrote:

Cds - I just use them to put music on to from pc, or to make backup copies of my cd collection (using nero).

Was going to try to make either VCDs or DVDs of holiday/family videos (also using nero after editing with Windows Movie Maker).

I understand the difference between CD and CDRW, its the + and - thing confusing me!!

If you're only using CDs the +/- thing doesn't apply. For DVDs there are 3 main formats DVD+R, DVD-R and DVD-RAM (there's also +RW and -RW ). FOr DVDs you need the type that your DVD writer supports.

WestieFan

Cheers
I checked it out, although it took a while to find it, but I managed through nero to get some info. It says disc types as follows

DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R9 double layer, CD-R/RW

Looks like it supports about everything then?

Need_More_Money_2

WestieFan wrote:

Cheers
I checked it out, although it took a while to find it, but I managed through nero to get some info. It says disc types as follows

DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R9 double layer, CD-R/RW

Looks like it supports about everything then?

apart from DVD-RAM. This is the most versatile format, but as usual the least well supported