Just Curious

[toomanycats]

As I have read thru this forum on burning and media selection, including the suggested articles that explain the differences between DVD-R and DVD+R, I have come to the conclusion that DVD-R is the way to go. DVD+R being called a rogue format. I seem to have less problems with DVD-R media. I use Memorex media and have found Memorex DVD-R more reliable than Memorex DVD+R. Is this a reasonable conclusion? My burner does both. I have 3 DVD Players and all will play DVD-R without any problems. Sometimes it seems that DVD+R does not look as good. Is this possible with the information being digitally supplied or have I corrupted my objectivity?

[jmet]

DVD+R is more compatible and better to use in my opinion. With +R media, you can booktype it to "DVD-ROM", if your burner supports that feature. A DVD with a booktype of "DVD-ROM" will play in any player. Reason being is that, a DVD you purchase is booktyped "DVD-ROM", so your DVD player thinks it a original copy.

DVD-R was more compatible and preferred by most before the "booktype" setting was changeable for +R media. The brand of media is a HUGE factor on if it will play correctly or not. Memorex brand is one of the "lowest quality" blank media brands on the market. I highly suggest you invest in getting some good media, such as Verbatim DataLife or Taiyo Yuden brand media. There should be no visible difference in regards to quality whether it be -R or +R. I think your eye may be playing a trick on you where that is concerned. If you are unable to "booktype" a +R disc, then yes your conclusion is slightly correct, in that -R would be a better choice.

If your backup freezes, stutters, skips, or has some pixelation, it is more than likely due to poor quality media being used. Cheap media is poorly manufactured around the edge of the disc, hence the reason why it mostly skips or freezes from the middle toward the end of the movie. The two main things to consider first are:

1. Is it cheap media that you are using? (ie. some off brand you bought at a local computer store/fair, even a store like Circuit City or Best Buy sells cheap low quality media.)

2. How fast are you burning? - Burn no faster than 4X, might have to go down to 2X with really cheap media.

Also, are you using adhesive labels on your back ups? If so, try removing the labels (if you can) and playing them again. Go here for more info on why not to use labels. - http://forum.digital-digest.com/show...threadid=28604

You can go here for some other possible solutions: http://forum.digital-digest.com/show...threadid=44912


Also try lowering outcome the "Target DVD size".

Open DVD Shrink. Click "Edit", then "Preferences". On the first tab at the top in the drop down box, change it from "DVD-5 (4.7GB) to "Custom" and enter a number of 4200MB (4464MB is burning to the edge of the disc, you want to stay away from the edge as the edge of cheap media (disc's) are poorly manufactured). Screen Shot Below:

[blutach]

I actually believe that a +R is the best format. It has the same reflectivity range as a pressed DVD Video and you can set the booktype to DVD-ROM.

But like all things in this area - go with what works for you.

Memorex is not the best brand out there, as far as I am concerned - there are plenty of crummy MICs associated with the Memorex brand.

Regards

[toomanycats]

How do I I find out if I can "booktype" ? Since I am essentially starting over with a new machine and all, I would be willing to attempt this. Part of the fun of the whole process, yu know what I mean? I have a lite-on 16X sohw 1633 burner.

[toomanycats]

I just figured out how to do it with Decrypter, since I don't burn with that I have to see if there is another way, maybe I'll start using it.

[Cambion7]

I just figured out how to do it with Decrypter, since I don't burn with that I have to see if there is another way, maybe I'll start using it.

I'm sure I'll be corrected if I am wrong, but you should be able to use Nero CD-DVD Speed to do the bitsetting for your booktype, then just use whatever software you have to burn the DVD. Otherwise I would suggest using whatever shrinking program you have and do the burn with ImgBurn, which has the booktype setting programmed in as well.

[Chewy]

liteon drives have a special bittsetting tool, with a lot of differences in how it
works with various models

[toomanycats]

I downloaded Imgburn and it worked perfectly. I was able to booktype and burn better than the payware I use. Thank you all for your help. Shall I conclude that DVD+R is the way to go now? It seems so. I have stacks of each so either way I can burn with comfort. Burn baby burn!!!

[NightTran]

imgburn is good either way I agree but I prefer R+ because it had no trace, check this link why R+ is better

[blutach]

Atta boy toomanycats.

No way anybody should pay for bloated burning n0n-s0lutions when you got DVD Decrypter and ImgBurn.

Regards

[Cambion7]

I downloaded Imgburn and it worked perfectly. I was able to booktype and burn better than the payware I use. Thank you all for your help. Shall I conclude that DVD+R is the way to go now? It seems so. I have stacks of each so either way I can burn with comfort. Burn baby burn!!!

I was always under the impression that DVD-R was the way to go. Then I found this forum. The best media to use is the DVD+R with a burner that allows bitsetting. The end result is a stand-alone DVD Player will view such DVD+R that's bookset to DVD-ROM as a commercially pressed DVD, whereas a DVD-R can't be done as such. The end result is a higher compatibility issue. Thanks to all of the gurus in these forums.