DVD+R vs DVD-R

[Ken Jarstad]

I almost always burn from PrEl using DVD-R. Four copies for each new cable show. One for cablecast, one for talent and two spares for our Director/Producer. I then span two DVD+R for backup using Nero BackItUp. Using the +R for backup just evolved that way since that is what I started with. The community access cable channel insisted on -R so we changed. I used to run Nero CD-DVD Check on each one but don't anymore since I have become confident of my burner.

The thing that frosts me is that we are still on the upward curve of complete compatibility. There are still folks out there with major brand DVD players that still won't play burned media. Now Costco has a Blu-Ray player for $449.00 I wonder if we will have to go through this again?

[sidd finch]

Chuck,

It might be that there is more of a proliferation of newer DVD players that make this less of an issue.

Sidd

[Chuck Engels]

That could very well be Sidd. The burners and media are probably improving also. Someday all this won't matter, you will be able to burn a DVD and it will play on anything (if DVD players are still around then )

[Jayell]

OK .. I'm moving into the modern age .. I'm going to purchase some 16x DVD-Rs (since that's all I can find in the stores). What I'd like to know is: IF I burn it successfully, and it plays on my computer, does that mean I've passed the speed burning test? In other words, I realize it might not play on some players because they don't like that particular media .. but it won't be because of the burn speed, if it plays on a computer .. right?

[Chuck Engels]

No, the real test comes when you play it on a stand alone DVD Player connected to a television. Test it on as many as you can the first one or two that you burn, if they work you are good to go

The DVD's you burn will almost always play on your computer DVD player.

[Jayell]

Oh, I thought if there was a burning problem it would show on the computer run. I should have figured it wouldn't be that simple Thanks, Chuck. Glad I asked.

[Bob D]

You might want to just get a 16X RW's first to check on the different stand alone players. That way you don't have to purchase a bunch of them and possibly find out it doesn't work for you.

[Jayell]

Bob .. I'm not understanding why buying RW's (which don't play well on my player) would help me make that decision. I can buy a small pack of Rs just like I could buy a small pack of RWs .. ?

[Chuck Engels]

I don't think RWs play well on most stand alone players.

[Bob D]

I was just thinking of costs. I forget that not everyone buys DVD's in 100 packs. But I usually burn my projects to RW and try it on a DVD player before I finish a project. But I guess I didn't realize that they may behave differently than a +R or -R in playability.

[Jayell]

Unfortunately I didn't realize that either, Bob. Previewing them on RWs was exactly my plan .. until I tried it, and it played really jerky and even froze up on my player. I thought I'd had a burning problem, but found when I burned it on a +R everything ran perfectly.

Thanks for the thought, though. I'm all for trying to find ways to make this less costly (time and money).

[Jayell]

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.

I think I'd hesitate on the 16xs, Chuck.
I ran a DVD-R 16x , but it stumbled just slightly on my 4-year old player. So I ordered some DVD-R 8x .. and those ran fine. I'm staying with 8X for now

Just for additional input, I burned a DVD+RW 4x, which just spit, coughed, and froze on that same 4-yr old player. Tried a DVD-RW .. it ran just fine.

[Chuck Engels]

Now that I have Encore CS3 I don't have to worry anymore, it will burn at a max speed of 8x and I have selections of 2.4x, 4x and 8x. I burn at 4x all the time so it doesn't matter what DVDs I get anymore. But thanks for the report, it is very important information for anyone that uses Premiere Elements to burn DVDs.

[Spot]

Just a point on using RW disks. I always first burn a project onto RW for testing, but not so much for compatibility but for a final check of the finished project.

It's amazing how many times I'll think I have nailed a project and then when watched on a TV (via RW) I (or my very observant wife!) will spot some niggly problem that was missed.

This also checks on the "safe zone" issues, sound levels, DVD Menus.....

I know a DVD-R is only worth a few cents but..... just hate throwing them out!!

My 2 cents.

JohnB

[Jayell]

I agree with you, John .. and I hate wasting anything. My only concern is that if I use a RW that jumps and skips a little, I'm not sure if it's the not-quite-compatibilitly with my player .. or a problem in the burning process. But it is still useful, as you say, to check the fit, sound, how certain effects really come through, etc. Glad I found that switching from +RW to -RW works just fine.

I just started a new project .. something didn't 'feel' right. By viewing the first couple minutes on a TV screen confirmed that I needed to make some concept changes. Saved me a lot of time and frustration down the road.