What is the difference between DVD-R(W), DVD+R(W), and DVD-RAM? Which technology should I buy into?
First off, the W stands for REWRITABLE; which means you can erase the DVD and record on it again (number of times you can do this varies by media quality). You will find these are more expensive, and LESS compatible than their write-once counterparts. RW media is only about 73% compatible with DVD players. So, what is -R (minus R) and +R (plus R)? These are two different DVD formats that are NOT compatible between them. If you have a DVD-R writer, you cannot write to DVD+R blanks and vice-versa. SOME more expensive drives (like the new Sony ones) can write to BOTH formats. DVD-ROM drives, however, can READ both DVD-R and DVD+R formatted discs. The difference between the formats are compatibility amongst DVD players. Some DVD players will play one, but not the other. DVD-R has the greatest OVERALL compatibility – upwards of 90% of DVD players out there will play these. DVD+R is only about 85% compatible.
