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DVD-R vs DVD+R


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Old 21-12-2007, 17:44
Dunnroamin
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My DVD Recorder/Video Recorder which I bought to archive some old but valued family videos onto DVDRW will record on either DVD-R or DVD+R, is there any difference in the adio-visual quality or any other reason why I should prefer one rather than the other.

I noticed, on another thread, the recommendation that, having made a DVD recording on a rewritable disc, it should be "finalised" before playing on another machine. I have just made my first dubbing from VHS videotape to DVD+RW and put the finished disc into my computer DVD drive without having finalised it, and it played perfectly. Do I assume correctly that finalising prevents further recording on that disc rather than limiting it to its "mother" machine. D.
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Old 21-12-2007, 17:52
stvn758
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Finalising will stop it being recorded onto anymore, but you can format it and reuse it.

+DVDs are better technically I read, but if you get a good brand either will be fine.

They do play okay on a PC.
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Old 21-12-2007, 20:01
martytoo
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Some machines if not all allow a degree of editing with +RW that can't be done with -RW. The principle reason for finalising an RW disc is to allow playback on other machines. Likewise a use once only disc has to be finalised to make it compatible with other machines, as stvn758 says though a PC drive will play unfinalised discs as well, if your Recorder is compatible with them DVD-RAM discs are more versatile.
With RW discs generally if you record say 3 programmes on a disc lasting 1 hour each your machine will tell you yu have 1 hour left, now erase the first programme and surprise, you still only have 1 hour left, because only the 'Index entry' is deleted the programme is still there but the recorder can't find it - RAM's don't have this problem you erase a title and it's gone allowing re use of the space.
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Old 22-12-2007, 12:01
Dunnroamin
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Some machines if not all allow a degree of editing with +RW that can't be done with -RW. The principle reason for finalising an RW disc is to allow playback on other machines. Likewise a use once only disc has to be finalised to make it compatible with other machines, as stvn758 says though a PC drive will play unfinalised discs as well, if your Recorder is compatible with them DVD-RAM discs are more versatile.
With RW discs generally if you record say 3 programmes on a disc lasting 1 hour each your machine will tell you yu have 1 hour left, now erase the first programme and surprise, you still only have 1 hour left, because only the 'Index entry' is deleted the programme is still there but the recorder can't find it - RAM's don't have this problem you erase a title and it's gone allowing re use of the space.
This may seem like a silly question, but what are DVD-RAM discs? the only RAM I'm aware of is the RAM (random access memory) in my computer. I know there have been developments in disc technology, double layer being one example. I've just had a look through the Operating Instructions for my dubbing machine, a Sony RDR-VX420, and it lists all the usual types of discs, but also shows a few that "cannot be played, these include "DVD-RAMs that are not recorded in DVD Video format. Does this preclude such discs from use use on my machine, I wonder. D
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Old 22-12-2007, 12:58
stvn758
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I think RAM was born too late, with Sky+ and hard drive equipped recorders abounding it seems gimmicky now.

What you can do is record a TV show onto a RAM DVD and then watch it from the start as it still records it.

Along with some other editing features that can't be done with the other formats.
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Old 22-12-2007, 18:46
martytoo
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This may seem like a silly question, but what are DVD-RAM discs? the only RAM I'm aware of is the RAM (random access memory) in my computer. I know there have been developments in disc technology, double layer being one example. I've just had a look through the Operating Instructions for my dubbing machine, a Sony RDR-VX420, and it lists all the usual types of discs, but also shows a few that "cannot be played, these include "DVD-RAMs that are not recorded in DVD Video format. Does this preclude such discs from use use on my machine, I wonder. D
The answers to lots of DVD related questions can be found here A quick look at Sony's website shows no mention of DVD-RAM support so I assume what your manual means is that if someone records a Movie etc. onto RAM using a PC drive then provided it's in standard Video format your machine will probably play it.

My Panasonic EZ-25 supports +R +RW -R -RW DL and RAM it also has an SD card slot!
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