CD's and DVD'S

[jx2mad]

Can someone enlighten me on the meaning of the = or - sign in the names. eg DVD+R or DVD-R. I know that r = Read and RW = Read/write, but the +/-? Jim :)

[Wallyb]

They are different standards, a google search will explain it if you are really interested in the differences.


The DVD+R format is divergent from the DVD-R format. Hybrid drives that can handle both, often labeled 'DVD±RW', are very popular since there is not a single standard for recordable DVDs. There are a number of significant technical differences between the 'dash' and the 'plus' format, although most users would not notice the difference. One example is that the DVD+R style Address In Pregroove (ADIP) system of tracking and speed control is less susceptible to interference and error, which makes the ADIP system more accurate at higher speeds than the Land Pre Pit (LPP) system used by DVD-R. In addition, DVD+R(W) has a more robust error management system than DVD-R(W), allowing for more accurate burning to media, independent of the quality of the media. The practical upshot is that a DVD+R writer is able to locate data on the disc to byte accuracy whereas DVD-R is incapable of such precision.