DVD-R and DVD+R are two different formats of recordable DVDs. The main difference between them lies in their compatibility with different DVD players and burners.
1. Compatibility: DVD-R is compatible with a wider range of DVD players and burners compared to DVD+R. This is because DVD-R was introduced earlier and was initially more widely adopted by manufacturers. However, most modern DVD players and burners now support both formats, so compatibility is not a major issue anymore.
2. Writing Speed: DVD+R generally supports faster writing speeds than DVD-R. This means that you can burn data onto a DVD+R disc at a higher speed compared to DVD-R. However, the actual writing speed also depends on the capabilities of your DVD burner.
3. Error Handling: DVD+R has better error handling capabilities compared to DVD-R. This means that DVD+R is more likely to successfully burn data even if there are minor errors or issues during the writing process. DVD-R, on the other hand, may be more prone to failures if there are any errors during the burning process.
4. Book Type Setting: DVD+R allows for the book type to be set to DVD-ROM, which makes the disc appear more like a commercially pressed DVD. This can enhance compatibility with older DVD players that may have issues reading recordable DVDs. DVD-R does not have this feature.
5. Dual Layer Support: DVD+R supports dual layer burning, which allows for more data to be stored on a single disc. DVD-R does not have native support for dual layer burning, although there are DVD-R DL discs available that are compatible with certain DVD burners.
In terms of practical usage, the difference between DVD-R and DVD+R is not significant for most users. Both formats can be used to burn data, movies, or other content onto a recordable DVD. The choice between DVD-R and DVD+R mainly depends on the compatibility of your DVD player or burner, and the writing speed you require.
In my personal experience, I have used both DVD-R and DVD+R discs for various purposes, including burning movies and creating backups of important data. I have found that both formats work well and have similar performance in terms of data read/write speeds. Compatibility has rarely been an issue for me, as most modern DVD players and burners support both formats. However, it is always a good idea to check the specifications of your DVD player or burner to ensure compatibility before purchasing recordable DVDs.