What's Best For Backup: DVD-RW or DVD-R/+R

[ulTRAX]

Assuming player compatibility is NOT an issue... what media is preferable for backing up DVDs.... DVD-RW or DVD-R/+R?

Is there more compatibility with DVD burners for RW than -R/+R given all the different dye formulations for the latter?

Does either media have intrinsically lower error rates?

Does either media have intrinsically longer life or the ability to not degrade when exposed to UV?

Which do you use?

[techreactor]

What's Best???? Wrong Q, qualitywise all are same although some say DVD+R is more closer to the pressed commerical DVD.

Rest all are same. (except DVD-RW, which is erasable).

I use DVD-R since it can write upto 4487 MB vs DVD+R which is upto 4480 MB.

[Zero G]

I use DVD-R since my burner won't do bitsetting.

[Raven386]

I used -R because thats what was on sale....i never knew anything about the advantages of - vs + . i didnt know about media quality either. i bought 200TDK at Target for $80 and those lasted me a long while.... they were packs of 20 i think for $8.00. now i only look for Verbatim & TY.

[LT. Columbo]

i use -R becuase one standalone don't support +.

[drfsupercenter]

It doesn't support +R even when you set it to DVD-ROM?

[uufta]

here is some science ultRAX

http://www.itl.nist.gov/div895/preservation/

or

http://www.itl.nist.gov/div895/

[LT. Columbo]

It doesn't support +R even when you set it to DVD-ROM?

they still don't work well...the media i have tried. i prefer -r anyway. makes more sense just to buy proper media outright to me.

btw drf, welcome back, i heard you did a stretch

[drfsupercenter]

Yes I did... I forgot that you aren't supposed to mention [illegal stuff] here.

All my players support +R so I use them (In DVD-ROM mode). I got myself 100 Verbatims a while ago (I have about 80 left now)

[ulTRAX]

i use -R becuase one standalone don't support +.

These compatibility issues are a damning indictment of the industry. A friend of mine has a portable -R player and her -R backups worked fine and my -R backup would not even play. Then I noticed that she burned with Shrink using the 30mm lead-in option. So I started using it too. Yet I'm not even sure it was meant for -R disks.

[Derree]

Welcome back drf hope ya learned your lesson while you did hard time away from the forums
I use -R as well as my standalones all are compatible with -r and I don't see the point of messing around the quailty is fine

[drfsupercenter]

For me they both play the same in all my players, so I use +R because of the whole DVD-ROM thing.

[NightTran]

my player play both r+ and r-, but I choose the one that have best Q scan with nero, I like Verbatim 8x- and Sony 8X+ ( from Japan)

[ulTRAX]

According to http://www.osta.org/technology/dvdqa/dvdqa11.htm the dye-based DVDs may outlast the phase transation-based RWs:

" As with CD-R and CD-RW discs media manufacturers have performed their own lifetime evaluations using a variety of homegrown tests and mathematical modeling techniques. Generally speaking, manufacturers claim life spans ranging from 30 to 100 years for DVD-R and DVD+R discs and up to 30 years for DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM. Be aware, however, that disc producers, manufacturing methods and materials change over time as do applications and cost imperatives. Consequently, those concerned with disc longevity should consult their media manufacturer for more particular information."