What Are the Obvious Differences Between DVD+R and DVD–R

It is confusing when you need to buy a blank DVD or a DVD recorder if you don't know the differences between DVD+R and DVD–R formats. Don't worry! You can red through this intuitive article and have a better understanding of DVD+R vs. DVD–R formats in terms of their history, feature, compatibility, etc.

Part 1. History and Physical Similarity

Both DVD-R and DVD+R are DVD formats and R means can be written once and read many times. As DVD formats, their storage capacity is both 4488 MB for single layer and 8.5 GB for dual layer discs. And they are both 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm in thickness.

What is DVD-R? The DVD-R format, also called DVD Dash R, was rolled out in 1997 and is approved by the DVD forum founded by Mitsubishi, Sony, Hitachi, and Time Warner. Due to its earlier release, DVD-R has a wider playback compatibility than DVD+R format, especially with some outdated DVD players.

What is DVD+R format? The DVD+R format, voiced DVD plus, appeared in 2002 and is approved by DVD+RW Alliance supported by Sony, Yamaha, Philips, Dell, and JP. Many discs were printed DVD-RW or DVD+RW now. Generally speaking, RW means rewritable. For example, DVD-RW discs can be written to approximately 1 thousand times. But sometimes, customers are confused by DVD+RW, because it is also the logo of DVD+RW Alliance. So, you'd better ask the seller whether the DVD+RW discs can be written multiple times.

Part 2. Differences Between DVD+R and DVD–R

Compared to identical similarity and history, there are more differences between DVD-R and DVD+R. DVD+R discs are usually more expensive than DVD-R discs. But as technology developing, the cost gap is closing. The price of Sony 50DMR47SP 16x DVD-R, for instance, is the same with Sony 50DPR47SP 16x DVD+R. Now the obvious differences between DVD-R and DVD+R lie in their recording ways and features.

Recording Ways and Features

DVD-R discs adopt Land Pre-Pits that are little marks in the grooves, which determine the way that the DVD reader processes the data on the discs. DVD-R takes the same dye-layer recording technique same as CR-R. So, you cannot amend and add new data once the data is written in.

While, DVD+R does not have such marks, but measures the wobble frequency instead. DVD+R takes more advanced ADIP technique that allows you to add new data.

DVD-R and DVD+R have different industry supports and each one may be only readable on certain devices. Currently, more and more DVD drives support DVD R discs. The best way is to read the description of your DVD drive carefully before you purchase discs.

Part 3. One Professional DVD Burner to Create Playable DVDs

No matter your DVD drive only supports DVD+R or DVD-R or both, you will need powerful DVD burning software to help you write videos and audios on discs. Tipard DVD Creator is a versatile DVD burner and able to bypass the differences between DVD-R and DVD+R. With DVD Creator, you can enjoy the features include:

1. Write digital files on DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, DVD-5 and DVD-9.

2. Burn ISO to DVD, create DVDs DVD folders, various digital video formats, such as MP4, MOV, MPEG, FLV, WMV, MKV, AVI and more.

3. Create personalized DVD menu with plentiful menu templates.

4. Edit video files with crop, trim, watermark, video effects and filters tools.

5. Add audio tracks, subtitles and chapters to DVDs.

How to create playable DVD with Tipard DVD Creator

Part 4. FAQs about DVD+R vs. DVD–R

Conclusion

In this post, we introduced two DVD formats easy to confuse: DVD-R and DVD+R. Before you upgrade DVD drive or discs, you'd better learn the difference between DVD-R vs. DVD+R. Although ordinary customers do not concern about the differences involved DVD-R and DVD+R, the format war has lasted for a decade among industry. Now, as more and more devices are hybrid ones, the war between DVD-R and DVD+R gradually subsided. On the other hand, no matter you want to create a DVD-R or a DVD+R, you will need an appropriate program, such as Tipard DVD Creator. We share the tutorial about creating playable DVD with DVD Creator. You can learn what you need here.