DVD compatibility

I'm making an amature movie and I'm gonna burn it on DVD for around 20 persons. Which burning method should I go for to have the best compatibility with all the different players? DVD+R DVD+RW DVD-R or DVD-RW?, burningprogram?, DVD-media brand? /Anders

DVD-R and DVD+R have about the same compatibility, but some players might reject one of them or both. In theory, all DVD players must be able to replay DVD-RW (a good DVD-RW looks exactly like the upper layer of a dual layer disc for the drive), but some don't, for whatever reason. You can do nothing but try. If you can wait till the new Sony combo is available, I'd recommand getting one to avoid this format crap. Most 2x compatible media is good (=> FAQ), except CMC, which I can't believe to be good...look into the ADVDInfo thread.

Since DVD-R has the highest compatibility, even if DVD+R/RW is seeing a lot of industry support right now, I would go with the Pioneer DVD-R04 for the burner, which is the cheapest and most reliable burner on the market. You can't go wrong if you buy TDK or Verbatim DVD-R in jewel case, they have the highest compatibility with settop players currently on the market. There are many authoring software, like DVDit, not too expensive and fairly easy to create your own DVD. You can also use Nero burning rom to burn your image on the DVD-R.

DVD-R is more compatible than DVD+R, in fact it's more compatible than all the others. Forget about +R, their more expensive and already it's clear they are going to lose to DVD-R the way DAT tape lost to CDR. Just get on the net and see how much easier it is to get DVD-R or DVD-RW.

Commander XJL: Before you compare this, you should erase all crap media from the lists! But still then, DVD-R is easier to get and cheaper. And I'm still interested in why you're so sure that DVD+ will lose. I hope that, too, but I can't say that I'm 100% sure. Maybe by crystal sphere needs a firmware upgrade :confused: Where do you get this certainty from?

I read an article in a computer magazine and agreed with the guy who wrote it. He was involved in this industry as some kind of marketing analyst. DVD+R got on the scene last. It's less compatible, and more expensive. It's also less available. DVD authoring houses use DVD-R not +R. Hollywood uses DVD-R, not +R. No nothing is for certain, but I would think that +R has as much chance as catching up with or taking over DVD-R as Apple has of catching up with or taking over Windows. I also kinda feel like the new Sony drive that everyone is freaking out about is kind of sensless. Who is gonna burn DVD+R if they can burn DVD-R? This drive makes no sense to me. It kinda sounds like a CDR burner that also makes cassette tapes. I mean it seems like if you can burn DVD-R or DVD-RW you would have no reason to burn +R, unless you just felt like spending more money for nothing. If I had this drive the only thing I would burn would be DVD-R, so I would just buy an A04 since their way cheaper. Now I probably started another argument :mad:

Ya I hear you and can dig it. Your saying other people aren't as smart as you and me and your 100% right. :) I like lower media prices too. You know I think I start more arguments on this forum than anybody. I must be the :devil:

Thanks guys.. So i should go for DVD-R then.. from TDK or Vertabim.. allrighty... DVD-RW cost almost 2x as a DVD-R thats why i go for DVD-R... /Anders

your doing the right thing, trust us. And only use DVD-RW to test projects, use DVD-R for final burns, like you said. I wonder when I'll start getting hate posts about what I said about that STUPID DUMB ASS SONY DRIVE!

We can hear you...even without sentences in capitals :)