What is the difference between DVD-R and DVD+R?

DVD-R and DVD+R are competing technologies which utilize different formats. The standards for both are officially approved and supported by two various forums, which constitutes a plethora of companies. The DVD-R (dash R) is supported by the DVD Forum which was founded by Mitsubishi, Sony, Hitachi, and Time Warner. DVD+R is supported by DVD+ RW Alliance, which is endorsed by Sony, Yamaha, Philips, Dell, and JP.

The chief variance between the format’s rests in the underlying technology, which is usually unnoticeable to the end-user. DVD-R use LPP (Land Pre-Pit) system for tracking and speed control, while DVD+R uses an improved ADIP (ADdress in Pregroove) system, which makes the ADIP system more precise at higher speeds. DVD+R has better quality and fewer damaged disks.

In the making of choice of a new disc to store files, one can choose DVD-R or DVD-RW discs. The main difference between these two discs is the erasing of the file in it in advance time. DVD-R is a non-rewritable disc whereby when a file has been stored into it; it cannot be deleted or edited. On the contrary, DVD-RW is a rewritable disc whereby a file can still be edited or deleted even after storage.

This can happen up to a thousand time before the disc could fail and probably not be able to hold data again. Another difference in these two-discs that should be noticed is their compatibility. The DVD-R drive is a model that has been earlier and can write on only the DVD-R disc, while the DVD-RW drive is a modern model that can write on both the DVD-R and the DVD-RW discs. Also, the DVD-RW disc is a little more expensive than DVD-R disc.

DVD-R is pronounced DVD dash R and DVD+R is pronounced DVD plus R. They look the same and are both supported by DVD burners and drivers. There is only one difference between them and that is the way the location of the laser beam on the disc is determined.

DVD-R's laser beam location is determined by land preprints, which are tiny marks by the disc grooves. DVD+R's laser beam is determined when the laser moves outside of the disc. DVD-R was released in 1997 by developer Pioneer, while DVD+R was released in 2002 by two developers, which were Phillips and Sony.