DVD confusion, help!

Bryan · 06-06-2004, 11:19

OK i'm looking into buying a DVD-HDD recorder, i just don't know what to get as i'm not sure what disc formats i need.

Is the format DVD-RAM a re-recordable format, i thought re-recordable was DVD+RW.

What is the difference between DVD-R DVD+R??

All i want to do is have the benefits a HDD will bring and the ability to record and re-record onto DVD from TV/Cable/HDD and my D8 camcorder, any help would be most appreciated

inabsentia · 06-06-2004, 16:52

DVD-RAM differs from DVD-R and DVD+R in that you can be writing to the disc and reading from it at the same time-a bit like a mini hard drive if you will!

Yes DVD-RAM is a re-writable format.. The discs do not have much compatibility outside the recorders that can handle them, that's why it has become something of a 'forgotten format' next to + and - .Discs are lots more expensive too. If you are going for a machine with built in hard drive too, then I don't really see the need for -RAM.

There is little to choose between + or - systems...- has slightly better compatibility with other players, especially on re-writables. Asking for which is 'better' will elicit a whole string of fors and against from people who have a preference one way or the other..I've got a - r CD burner but a + r standalone, and they both work just fine with discs I've created on the other format.

Bryan · 09-06-2004, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by inabsentia

The discs do not have much compatibility outside the recorders that can handle them, that's why it has become something of a 'forgotten format' next to + and - .

Thanks for your help inabsentia, most helpfull, however whilst looking for a DVD recorder with HDD i found that none offered +RW or -RW, which is why i was asking about DVD-RAM, seems strange this isn't offered or is there a technical/cost reason for this??

rich_jtg · 09-06-2004, 22:05

It depends on which brand of DVD recorder you get, different companies champion different formats.

For instance the one I have, Panasonic, is DVD-RAM, companies like Toshiba, Sony will have RW, and some do a mixture of them all!

Depending on how you are going to use your recorder, would depend on which player to get. I personally don't own any RAM discs (although it is a very flexible format) as I use the HD and then archive stuff I want to keep to DVDR.

If you wan't to share a re-writable format, then you would be better getting a RW machine as they are more compatible. If you don't then RAM is very good. (have to be careful what I say, as everybody has a favourite!) You can of course if you have a RAM compatible PC DVD burner, like an LG one, you could go between formats.

inabsentia · 10-06-2004, 00:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan

Thanks for your help inabsentia, most helpfull, however whilst looking for a DVD recorder with HDD i found that none offered +RW or -RW, which is why i was asking about DVD-RAM, seems strange this isn't offered or is there a technical/cost reason for this??

All non HDD machines will write to Rewritable discs, whichever format you go for i.e.- if you bought a Mico Espejo, that is a DVD+ format, but writes to both R and RW type discs-the same is true of anything from the DVD- side too.So ideally you use RW's for day to day recordings and R's for anything you want to keep. If you buy a machine with a HDD too, then re-writable discs won't be a major concern as your day-to -day recording is done onto the HDD. That said, I'm pretty sure that all HDD machines can write to RW discs too..The Panasonic DMR-e100 certainly does, even though it doesn't say so on the tin!!!

RAM discs have the advantage of being able to 'Timeshift' within a recording while it is still being recorded, and I think you can write up to 8 hours on an single disc (6 is the most on either + or - formats on the lowest quality settings-which still beat a VHS picture hands down!!).

06-06-2004, 11:19	#1
Bryan Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 2,531	DVD confusion, help! OK i'm looking into buying a DVD-HDD recorder, i just don't know what to get as i'm not sure what disc formats i need. Is the format DVD-RAM a re-recordable format, i thought re-recordable was DVD+RW. What is the difference between DVD-R DVD+R?? All i want to do is have the benefits a HDD will bring and the ability to record and re-record onto DVD from TV/Cable/HDD and my D8 camcorder, any help would be most appreciated

06-06-2004, 16:52	#2
inabsentia Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 993	DVD-RAM differs from DVD-R and DVD+R in that you can be writing to the disc and reading from it at the same time-a bit like a mini hard drive if you will! Yes DVD-RAM is a re-writable format.. The discs do not have much compatibility outside the recorders that can handle them, that's why it has become something of a 'forgotten format' next to + and - .Discs are lots more expensive too. If you are going for a machine with built in hard drive too, then I don't really see the need for -RAM. There is little to choose between + or - systems...- has slightly better compatibility with other players, especially on re-writables. Asking for which is 'better' will elicit a whole string of fors and against from people who have a preference one way or the other..I've got a - r CD burner but a + r standalone, and they both work just fine with discs I've created on the other format.

09-06-2004, 21:28	#3
Bryan Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 2,531	Quote: Originally Posted by inabsentia The discs do not have much compatibility outside the recorders that can handle them, that's why it has become something of a 'forgotten format' next to + and - . Thanks for your help inabsentia, most helpfull, however whilst looking for a DVD recorder with HDD i found that none offered +RW or -RW, which is why i was asking about DVD-RAM, seems strange this isn't offered or is there a technical/cost reason for this??

09-06-2004, 22:05	#4
rich_jtg Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: UK Posts: 762	It depends on which brand of DVD recorder you get, different companies champion different formats. For instance the one I have, Panasonic, is DVD-RAM, companies like Toshiba, Sony will have RW, and some do a mixture of them all! Depending on how you are going to use your recorder, would depend on which player to get. I personally don't own any RAM discs (although it is a very flexible format) as I use the HD and then archive stuff I want to keep to DVDR. If you wan't to share a re-writable format, then you would be better getting a RW machine as they are more compatible. If you don't then RAM is very good. (have to be careful what I say, as everybody has a favourite!) You can of course if you have a RAM compatible PC DVD burner, like an LG one, you could go between formats.

10-06-2004, 00:48	#5
inabsentia Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 993	Quote: Originally Posted by Bryan Thanks for your help inabsentia, most helpfull, however whilst looking for a DVD recorder with HDD i found that none offered +RW or -RW, which is why i was asking about DVD-RAM, seems strange this isn't offered or is there a technical/cost reason for this?? All non HDD machines will write to Rewritable discs, whichever format you go for i.e.- if you bought a Mico Espejo, that is a DVD+ format, but writes to both R and RW type discs-the same is true of anything from the DVD- side too.So ideally you use RW's for day to day recordings and R's for anything you want to keep. If you buy a machine with a HDD too, then re-writable discs won't be a major concern as your day-to -day recording is done onto the HDD. That said, I'm pretty sure that all HDD machines can write to RW discs too..The Panasonic DMR-e100 certainly does, even though it doesn't say so on the tin!!! RAM discs have the advantage of being able to 'Timeshift' within a recording while it is still being recorded, and I think you can write up to 8 hours on an single disc (6 is the most on either + or - formats on the lowest quality settings-which still beat a VHS picture hands down!!).

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DVD confusion, help!