Why DVD+R(W) is superior to DVD-R(W)

Here is an outtake from the article:

"During my study of rewritable DVD formats it seemed very clear to me that DVD-R(W) standard was not as well designed as DVD+R(W) (or even DVD-RAM). And although some serious efforts have been put in the latest revisions of the - format to fix some of the original problems (at the cost of a much increased complexity), it still remains technically inferior to +, due to some intrinsic weaknesses (e.g. pre-pits). This is not very surprising, as Sony and Philips have a much longer experience at defining standards than Pioneer (and several key patents), and they also had the advantage to publish their standards after their competitors.

Although the arguments presented in this document might look like technical details to most readers, disc format is what defines the limits of what drives can do with a given medium, both in terms of performances and features. Therefore, the technical advantages of the DVD+R(W) format will with time turn into faster, more powerful and more reliable drives for end users. This is already the case today, and the gap will continue to increase as DVD+R(W) drives will exploit more and more of the advantages of the + format. However, as history showed, the best ideas are not guaranteed to win on technology markets, and only time will tell which format becomes the new standard."

I've been using DVD-R's and when they are used up, I'm going to +R's

You can read the whole story here:

http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/113

A little over my head in some areas, but most of it is understandable.
 
Most people seem to agree, however, that for video work DVD-R is most compatible, then DVD+RW, then DVD-RW, with DVD+R not very good. For data if you are doing packet writing (still not very reliable imho), +RW is better. I believe cost still drives much of the choices, and that is why I have a Pioneer 105 drive. Rock solid, modifiable, only coasters are self-induced. If the 106 came with 8x burning on either -R or +R, I might consider an all-in-1 drive, but right now I pay $1 or so for 2x -Rs and am happy. +R(W)s are still too pricey for the marginally better features.
 
Media quality -R vs +R

Selling alot of both +R and -R here in the UK at least this would be my take on the quality issue from customer feedback...

DVD-R, there are still a load of rubbish quality -R discs being sold into the market, discs such as Ritek DVD-R 4x which sells here around 99p is very reliable see the following test -

http://www.chrismccann.co.uk/clone_disc_ritek.htm

Whereas the Princo DVD-R 4x is of much lesser quality (Discs like Bulkpaq and Discrite etc)... see test here -

http://www.chrismccann.co.uk/princo_4x.htm

However the quality of most DVD+R is on the whole alot better and tends in my experience to have much better compatibility with playback... DVD+R now around 80p in the UK.
 
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