DVD+R vs DVD-R

[Jayell]

I f-i-n-a-l-ly have a computer that can burn both DVD+R and DVD-R. Understanding that everyone has something different .. is one or the other more common or more likely to work? I'm about to send out several copies of a DVD, but I don't really know what the recipients have (assume, for the sake of discussion, that I can't ask each one).

[Chuck Engels]

Hi Jayell,
The speed of the burn is as important as the type of disc. In general, -R are more compatible than +R although the percentage is shrinking fast. What will really make a DVD not play on a DVD player is if it is burned at faster then 8x, 4x or slower is preferred.

If you have 16x discs it is recommended to burn in another program, not Premiere Elements because it will burn at 16x if the disc and your burner will allow it.

I burn with Premiere Elements but never buy discs rated faster than 8x and have never had a DVD not play on most DVD players. Just remember that some, especially older players, will not play burned DVDs at all no matter what.

[sidd finch]

I have also found that the brand of media makes a difference too. TDK always works but the off brand sometimes has issues. I agree on the write speed too.

Sidd

[Jayell]

Thanks Chuck .. and Sidd.

Thanks for the burning speed reminder. I know it's brought up repeatedly, but I'm finding that the more I learn about PE (and try to pack into my little brain), the more seems to fall out the other side . So the reminders are very helpful. Right now my DVD supplies are all 4x .. so I'm OK on that front. But I guess I should add some DVD-Rs to my supplies.

[Bob D]

I'm always a little reluctant to add to these discussions regarding write speed. I know it will probably result in a flurry of responses.

I don't have a wide audience of people I may burn for, but for 2 years now I have created projects for my church that goes to about 30 families. Additionally, I burn some family stuff and send that to my siblings. Over a year ago I switched to 16X DVD's and I haven't had one person come back and say they can't read it.

They are Ritek RiData DVD +R's. I'm not advocating that is what everyone should do, but I just haven't experienced any issues. I am tempted to switch to Taiyo Yuden based on the feedback I hear, but I'm kind of a cheap person and try to save a buck! Plus, as I said, I've had no problems with my Ritek's

[Jayell]

I appreciate the feedback, Bob. I'm most interested in what experience others have had when burning DVDs .. not necessarily what 'conventional wisdom' might recommend. Although I'm interested in both

[Chuck Engels]

As Steve always says;

You're Mileage May Vary

That goes for everything when it comes to video editing, including DVDs.

I have never had a problem with an mpeg file in Premiere Elements, others fight with them constantly, my mileage varies

[Jayell]

If only there weren't so many variables ( .. computer, burners, media, burn speed, players, ..

[Doreen L.]

I always do the same as Chuck. I find it really doesn't take that much longer to burn at a slower speed and -R seems to be a bit more universal.

And Jayell, you're right, there are so many variables. You can make yourself nuts.

[Jayell]

Reviewing some of the issues here. I went shopping today, but the only thing anyone is selling in the way of DVD-Rs is the 1-16x. Sounds like that isn't a good idea with PE. Anyone have a good source for purchasing DVD-Rs at 4x?

So I said OK, I'll just use another program. Tried to download Sonic Record Now, but it conflicts (shuts down any time I try to open it) with the fact that I have Roxio Record Now (that certainly makes sense). If I were to delete my Roxio Creator (light version), does Sonic Record Now allow you to delete a disc (I sometimes use DVD-RWs to do test runs, which I then want to delete). That's about the only thing I'm using Roxio Creator LE for.

[Ken Jarstad]

http://supermediastore.com/media1.html

Plenty of 8X media and some 4X still available there at good prices. However, I switched to 16X media about six months ago and have had no rejects. Make sure you have a late-model major-brand DVD burner. I sure like my 2 year old BenQ DQ60.

[Jayell]

Thanks, Ken .. will take a look at those. I guess a few folks here have sort of deterred me from trying the 16x. Are you using them to burn directly from PE?

[Bob D]

I've used 16X to burn directly from PE and from Nero, without issues. I am using a NEC 3540 burner (I think... I'm going from memeory, as I am at work right now).

[Bob]

I use -R 16X media and burn with a Plextor PX-716a burner. I've burned DVDs both directly from Premiere Elements and from a folder using Roxio. I've never had a problem.

[Chuck Engels]

Maybe it's time I move on to the present and start trying some 16x discs. But I still believe in the ' If it ain't broke, don't fix it ' rule.