PC Pals Forum

Technical Help & Discussion => AV Lounge => Topic started by: mistybear on September 17, 2008, 11:38

Title: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 17, 2008, 11:38
Could someone please explain the difference between these two media types, as we have burned movies to DVD +R and they never work, only DVD -R do. Is it something to do with finishing them?? I have no idea what I'm talking about. We ran out of DVD -R and we have DVD +R but don't know why we can't burn them correctly.  :dunno:
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: sam on September 17, 2008, 11:58
well I'm guessing your burner can cope with both.. but I bet the player you are trying them on can't...

not sure if this is of help, http://www.cdfreaks.com/reviews/Why-DVDRW-is-superior-to-DVD-RW/ - possibly not but it might help explain the differences.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 17, 2008, 11:59
I think DVD-R is the more widely used format, and is compatible with most DVD players.  Maybe your player isn't +R compatible?
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 17, 2008, 12:00
Or what Sam said.  ;)
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 17, 2008, 12:36
Okay, I think I understand. But seeming Michael and I have the same DVD Burners and DVD Roms, that doesn't help. OTH, if he burned it, why can't we read it?

I have a DVD player/recorder which I think plays anything, but Michael has it in his room.

I was getting Michael a new DVD burner, the one CD Freaks recommended http://www.cdfreaks.com/hardware/product/861-Samsung-SH-S203B-_-TS-H653B.html
but they didn't have it stock.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 17, 2008, 12:50
Are you saying the same drive that burns the DVD+Rs won't play them back?  That sounds a bit odd, unless the discs aren't being finalised.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 17, 2008, 12:56
You beat me to it Simon, I was just going to post this....

I just found an old DVD +R that I burned a couple of years ago, and it plays fine in my DVD ROM. And now I can't find the DVD that Michael burned for me, and while I was at, I stepped on a small mirror and broke it..... so that's how many years bad luck..

I thought it had something to do with being finalised, well I said finished. So how do you finalise them and can it still be done on the DVD Michael burned for me. (If I can find it.)
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: gmax on September 17, 2008, 13:12
Maybe your not using the correct DVD format?, what exactly are you trying to burn? ripping a DVD movie?.
I don't bother with DVD video any more , i prefer Xvid .
LG dvd players are ok, it plays any disk i chuck in it.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 17, 2008, 13:20
Michael burned a DVD +R with a few movies that he had on his PC, took them to my mums and they wouldn't play, she has a LG VCR/DVD player. I tried it in my PC ROM and DVD - W and it won't play.   :dunno:
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 17, 2008, 13:47
It's probably a setting in whatever burning software he's using, MB.  Normally, it would be set to finalise by default, but if that's been changed, it may not be doing so.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: gmax on September 17, 2008, 14:11
MB, your not giving us enough details to help you, if your burning a movie with nero and dvd video was selected it should work, otherwise nero gives an error message
saying the burn is not compatible with dvd players.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 17, 2008, 14:18
I didn't burn it gmax, so I don't know.

Thanks Simon, he doesn't normally use +R as I bought them for me, but he ran out. Well, I now know the what the difference is between them.

I don't suppose you know if I can put the DVD back in the DVD burner and try to finalise it?
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: sam on September 17, 2008, 14:32
bloody windows users!  ;)

I don't think you can get away with the MB... probably worth waiting for him to be around
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 17, 2008, 14:59
You should be able to finalise a disc after you've burned it, after all, that's what it would have done anyway, but without knowing the burning software, I can't tell you how to do it.  At a guess, look in the Tools menu.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 17, 2008, 15:12
bloody windows users!  ;)

I don't think you can get away with the MB... probably worth waiting for him to be around

As long as Windows works Sam, I'm happy.  ;D     And I will wait until he blesses me with his presence, and he can look for the Discs.  ;)


You should be able to finalise a disc after you've burned it, after all, that's what it would have done anyway, but without knowing the burning software, I can't tell you how to do it.  At a guess, look in the Tools menu.

I'm fairly certain he used Nero 8 or possibly WMP 11. I'm not so sure now......  :blush:

I think from now one I'll do my own DVD's. It's just that he had about 100 movies on his Hard Drive, would be easier to transfer them to me.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Clive on September 17, 2008, 16:49
I stepped on a small mirror and broke it..... so that's how many years bad luck..


Only if you are walking under ladder at the same time and the date is Friday 13th.  You are quite safe.   ;)
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: daveeb on September 17, 2008, 17:00
 hi MB the things that spring to mind are

  did he select "no multisession" in the multisession tab menu.  If not the disc will be left open ie not finalised.
  Also he should select "finalise disc"
  Finally a dvd disc should be burned as dvd video.  If it was burned as dvd rom it won't work.

Personally i never use +R, i find -R to be more compatible with a range of dvd players.   :thumbs:
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Sandra on September 18, 2008, 01:07
I think you have that the wrong way round Dave.

The "Allow files to be added later" is the option for multisession and that doesnt close, or finalise the disc.
The "No Multisession" option does finalise it.

Now wheres that slapped bum smiley gone  :)
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 18, 2008, 07:15
You can slap Corey. He came to media attention when he held a party when his parents were away, not sure how many people turned up, but it became a media circus and he became the clown.

http://www.slapcorey.com/

Michael informs me that he didn't use Nero or WMP. He used windows folder ??. I have no idea what he's talking about, but he put the movies which are files (duh!) into a folder and burned the folder (files) to disc.  :dunno:  ???

I think the easiest thing, is for me to throw the disc into the bin and go and rent the movies I want to see. Or if I wait long enough they will be on TV.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 18, 2008, 07:43
Well, it sounds like he's just transferred the folder to a disc, and not actually made a playable DVD out of it.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: gmax on September 18, 2008, 07:48
Thats too long for me to wait, i just finished watching "Iron Man" & "Get Smart", i don't bother with dvd format.
Divx/Xvid , a ripped DVD is 4.3 GB but converted to Divx/Xvid  its only about 700mb with the same picture quality.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 18, 2008, 08:17
Well, it sounds like he's just transferred the folder to a disc, and not actually made a playable DVD out of it.

I have no idea Simon, doesn't make sense to me. He put a whole season of Weeds on one DVD. And I can't find that either, the case is empty.   ???    :dunno:

Thats too long for me to wait, i just finished watching "Iron Man" & "Get Smart", i don't bother with dvd format.
Divx/Xvid , a ripped DVD is 4.3 GB but converted to Divx/Xvid  its only about 700mb with the same picture quality.

What sort of converter do you need gmax.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: gmax on September 18, 2008, 08:27
I use DVDfab to rip the DVD then i use AutoGK to convert the ripped DVD to Xvid format.

http://www.pc-pals.com/smf/index.php?topic=26380.msg169557;topicseen#msg169557
http://www.dvdfab.com/docs/
Of course you will need a home DVD player that can play Mpeg4/ Divx, but a lot of them are now.
Even cheap $50 Conia DVD players play Xvid movies.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 18, 2008, 09:41
Of course, we have to point out that duplicating copyrighted material, by any method, is illegal.

You're talking about copying home videos, yes?   :)
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 18, 2008, 09:55
Of course Simon, all the movies I've made of my pussies.  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 18, 2008, 10:07
:aarrgh:
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Rik on September 18, 2008, 10:08
Felinecitations.  ;D
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: gmax on September 18, 2008, 10:27
Of course Simon, all the movies I've made of my pussies.  :thumbs:

You have more than one pussy..?  :woo: :peepsofa: :scoot:
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 18, 2008, 10:34
You have more than one pussy..?  :woo: :peepsofa: :scoot:

Haven't you seen the photos.  ;)

:aarrgh:
    You got a problem with my pussies.  ':|     ;D


Felinecitations.  ;D

Gesundheit.  ;D
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Sandra on September 18, 2008, 12:45

Michael informs me that he didn't use Nero or WMP. He used windows folder ??. I have no idea what he's talking about, but he put the movies which are files (duh!) into a folder and burned the folder (files) to disc.  :dunno:  ???


I think hes used the built in burner in XP, you drag the files to a folder and then tell it to burn from there. I have used it a couple of times on a pc that didnt have nero installed but I dont think that its XPs best feature by a long way  ::)
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 18, 2008, 12:47
That makes sense, thanks Sandra. Is there any way I can fix it, or finalise it. 
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: gmax on September 18, 2008, 13:01
nope, use it for a drink coaster.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: daveeb on September 18, 2008, 13:02
I think you have that the wrong way round Dave.

The "Allow files to be added later" is the option for multisession and that doesnt close, or finalise the disc.
The "No Multisession" option does finalise it.

Now wheres that slapped bum smiley gone  :)

Slapped bum sounds OK Sandra (ask any MP)   ;D  but I think we're saying the same thing. i.e. ensure no multisession is ticked. On reflection you can't do multisession dvd video burns . For DVD ROM discs on my ancient (ver 6.00) copy there is a "finalise" option that i think can be unchecked even if you select no multisession.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Sandra on September 18, 2008, 13:06
I would copy the files back to the PCs hard drive then burn again using Nero and use a DVD -R, to be on the safe side MB. It may also be that the files arent in a normal DVD format so a standard DVD payer wont recognise them but the PC will play them. When you have the files on the hard  drive post again to say what the files are. For a standard DVD there should be a few .BUPs, .INFS and .VOBs. If thats how they are then you need to use Nero Express and select the Video/Picture option then Burn DVD files. If they are in some other kind of format then you need to use something like Nero Vision and make a DVD then Video in the subsection, this will convert the files and burn them as a standard DVD but will take some time to do it.

Hope this fixes it  :)
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: daveeb on September 18, 2008, 13:08

Michael informs me that he didn't use Nero or WMP. He used windows folder ??. I have no idea what he's talking about, but he put the movies which are files (duh!) into a folder and burned the folder (files) to disc.  :dunno:  ???

It sounds like the disc may have been burned as a data disc and not in dvd video format  :dunno:
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: gmax on September 18, 2008, 13:12
They make nice wind chimes
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 18, 2008, 13:38
The files are AVI and neither of my drives will play them, just trying to open them made my computer freeze and all of my desktop icons disappeared and I thought the drive was going to lift off.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 18, 2008, 13:47
Sounds like you need something like WinAVI, MB.  ;)
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 18, 2008, 14:02
Thanks Simon.  :)

The whole reason I wanted these "files" on DVD is so I can looked at them on my wide screen TV, laying on the lounge, with a cuppa. Not sitting at my computer, and getting eye strain and a headache.  :bawl:
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Sandra on September 19, 2008, 00:48
AVI just stands for Audio Video Interface MB. They can be in many diferent formats. Does it not even allow you to copy the files to the hard drive without trying to play them ?
If you can get them on your hard drive and download and install this program, no s[racist term]ing guys, yes it really is called GSpot :

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/GSpot.htm

That will tell you if you have the necessary codecs installed to play the videos and we can hopefully move on from there  :)

For some reason it thinks S N I G G E R I N G is a racist term  :dunno:
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 19, 2008, 09:50
For some reason it thinks S N I G G E R I N G is a racist term  :dunno:

Take off the 'S', and the 'ING', and it is.  ;)
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 19, 2008, 09:52
  :laugh:     :o:    :-X
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 19, 2008, 10:07
Quote
Quote from: mistybear on September 17, 2008, 12:56:PM
I stepped on a small mirror and broke it..... so that's how many years bad luck..

Only if you are walking under ladder at the same time and the date is Friday 13th.  You are quite safe.   ;)

It's started already, I got a bill from Centrelink saying Michael wasn't a full time student in semester 2 of 2007 and they want over $2,200 back.  :cry:   :bawl:
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 19, 2008, 10:19
I don't know any students which ARE full time!  ;D  Is this something you can dispute, MB?  I don't know how the system works over there.  :dunno:
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 19, 2008, 10:33
I will be disputing it. He gave them his documentation from TAFE, why didn't they question it then, why wait a year?  I was at my doctors this afternoon and I asked her if the prescription that she just gave me was lethal, she asked for it back. I told her she has the same chance of getting the script back as Centrelink has of getting that money out of me.  BUCKLEYS!!

She has a daughter at UNI and is worried that it could be an auditing thing, she views our new PM as a tight wad and is auditing students, they fail to realise that he isn't sitting in the lap of luxury and his youth allowance isn't drinking money. It's actually paid to me and is used to feed and clothe him, and put a roof over his head. :censored: :cussing: :slug: :bawl:
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 19, 2008, 11:27
Don't let the buggers grind you down.  ;)
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Rik on September 19, 2008, 12:07
I prefer Nil illegitimum carborundum, it has more feeling. :)
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 19, 2008, 12:25
Maybe, but then you might be seen as a :smartarse:  ;D
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Rik on September 19, 2008, 12:50
Only by people who've seen me in a kilt. ;D
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 19, 2008, 12:55
A scary thought!  ;D
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 19, 2008, 12:59
Depends on how you look at it, like... my, your arse looks smart in that kilt.  :)
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 19, 2008, 13:07
I can assure you, I wouldn't look at it that way, MB!  ;D
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: mistybear on September 19, 2008, 13:11
Okay then, your a smart arse in a kilt.    ;D   Is that better.
Title: Re: Difference between DVD -R and DVD +R
Post by: Simon on September 19, 2008, 13:22
;D