DVD formats...enlighten me

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Fri Oct 01, 2004 9:47 am

Okay, after finally earn enough from my blood and sweat money, I decided to get a DVDRW. Normally I go for Plextor for disk writers, but with current situation, I need some advise since DVDs have more formats than CDs

Which is better DVD- or DVD + ? Also is dual layer DVD same with DVD 9 ?

Thanks in advance

tom the terribl · Post by **tom the terribl** » Fri Oct 01, 2004 10:38 am

Dvd

Get a DVD that can do the most functions. Try Sony.

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 10:57 pm

I was hoping for more tech details than mere product brand promotion without any explanation

CM · Post by CM » Sun Oct 03, 2004 3:31 am

You and me are in the same boat. I am gonna get a Plextor 712A. That is an internal drive which writes both - and + DVDs. A dual layer DVD I believe is a the same as a 9 but i am not certain. I never really understood those numbers.

The Plextor 716A burns dvds - and + at 16x. The 712A burns them at 8 and 12 x respectively. Cant get 716A here yet, so i am gonna for the 712A. Now as for the DVDs I suggest you ask the shop keeper on what DVD's you should get. When I will by the DVD RW this week I will get the shops recommended dvds for this burner. I will post the brand name and specs of the DVD when i get them. How does that sound?

Edit: The Plextors i have mentioned are dual layer burners.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 4:27 am

I'm not terrible much into the DVD+/- thingy (yet, but could try to look it up)... but just a word of advice @Fas.

Before going out to buy a dual layer DVD burner, try searching around a little first, because the techonology used in dual layer burning is extreemly similar ot single layer, and it is quite possible you can find single layer burners that with a firmware update can burn dual layer as well

Of course - I don't know how much companies advertise this "feature", so it is often 3rd party firmware updates

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 8:03 am

Well when ya back up something into DVD IIRC ya gotta specify the DVD format. that's where that damn + or - comes in

Malta Soron · Post by **Malta Soron** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 1:11 pm

I think DVD 9 is the same as dual layer, since dual layer burns discs of about 9 GB.

CM · Post by CM » Sun Oct 03, 2004 1:18 pm

Well it is actually the DVD type you have. You get DVD - or DVD +. So you basically burn the DVD on the format that already exists on it before hand. I dont think you can rewrite a DVD+ to a DVD-.

Btw for my own information as i am buying the DVD tomorrow or on Tuesday I just need to install the power cable on the dvd, screw it in and set it up as the secondary slave correct? Oh yeah and install whatever comes on the cds. Anything else?

Malta Soron · Post by **Malta Soron** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 12:23 pm

Don't forget the broad flat cable.

Secondary slave depends on you configuration. IIRC it's not a good idea to put CD-DVD drives on the same cable as the hard disk, but probably that's one the primary. I would make the DVD writer master and the other drivfe (probably DVD station) slave.

Rookierookie · Post by **Rookierookie** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:10 am

DVD+ is generally more expensive but of better quality.

But seriously, just buy one of LG's than can do everything, including DL and RAM.

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 7:34 am

D'oh !

[QUOTE=Rookierookie]<SNIP>
But seriously, just buy one of LG's than can do everything, including DL and RAM.[/QUOTE]

Yea.......just because of that ...any more reason that more into techy thing ???

Rookierookie · Post by **Rookierookie** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 8:34 am

IIRC, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 2.4x DVD DL, 8x DVD+-RW, and 4x DVD-RAM on the top level.
Couldn't remeber too much details and those may be wrong. However, IMO it is better to buy something that can do everything, so there will be one less thing to worry about.

Vicsun · Post by **Vicsun** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 1:20 pm

[QUOTE=Rookierookie]IIRC, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 2.4x DVD DL, 8x DVD+-RW, and 4x DVD-RAM on the top level.
Couldn't remeber too much details and those may be wrong. However, IMO it is better to buy something that can do everything, so there will be one less thing to worry about.[/QUOTE]
Buying the most expensive of a line of products almost always solves all problems, but the trick is to have your problems solved and get a functional device without getting a lot of features which you'll never use and paying a ship-load of $$ in the process

Malta Soron · Post by **Malta Soron** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:16 am

But the problem is that nowadays it's unpredictable which standard (+ or -) will stay, and which will disappear.

Rookierookie · Post by **Rookierookie** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:23 am

Vicsun, since he doesn't know much about DVD formats, it would save him much effort (and maybe even money) in choosing disks. Besides, LG does have lower end writers, though they don't support DL. While DVD-RAM is usually just a small bonus since few places sell them, the advantage of LG's writer is that it supports all the formats currently available on the market without making their product too expensive.

Malta Soron, I don't think that is much of a problem, because even if one of the two formats become obsolete by Christmas, it would still take some time for it to be phased out, and by that time he should be able to buy a new writer - perhaps a kind of DVD we've never heard of.

Malta Soron · Post by **Malta Soron** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:31 am

But he would have to spend money again - more money than he'll have to pay extra now. And, like you said, being able to write two formats can save money when the disc prices differ. And it's always handy to be able to write two formats, f.e. when your (or someone else's) player can't read one of them.