Please help me!! I'm soooo confused!
By jessigirl116
@jessigirl116 (848)
United States
April 23, 2008 7:34pm CST
Could someone explain the difference between DVD + or - RW, CD + or - RW?? Which one do I put my pictures on to send to family and friends, and which can I use for video clips? I'm computer illiterate when it comes to these things. What's the difference between the + and -?? What am I missing? Should I take a class to figure out all these accessories and whatnot, or am I trying too hard and the answer is simpler than I'm realizing??? Please put your answers in the "For Dummies" language, because, as I said, I'm a bit slow at this technology thing.
Thank you very much for your help!
1 person likes this
4 responses
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
29 Apr 08
"-R" is just the older format of DVD first appearing in 1997.
You get these if you are writing data DVDs and Video DVDs for older DVD players and drives.
"+R" is the modern format of DVD appearing in 2004.
Get these for more modern DVD players, like those made in the past 4 years.
(DVDs have a standard 4.7 Gigabytes storage capacity, roughly 4% of a standard computer harddrive and plenty of room for images).
"RW" simply means the CD or DVD is 'rewrite-able'.
Think of a VHS and recording with that. You can record over CD-RWs and DVD-RWs.
"DL" means that the DVD is 'dual layer'.
It'll record double the capacity of a normal DVD (8.5 Gigabytes)
You can use any of these for video clips and DVD video burning.
You can use any of these to put images on.
1 person likes this
@jessigirl116 (848)
• United States
30 Apr 08
I'm thinking that what you're saying is not completely accurate. The reason for this thinking is that I am having problems putting pictures on a disc that my dad can watch on his DVD player, and my mother-in-law can't view the pictures on her PC. So therefor I can't use 'any of these' for pictures or video, I have to use specific ones for specific tasks. And, before you ask, yes, my computer is fully capable of burning pictures and stuff, I've done it before. The problem is I can only see it on my pc. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but I don't think so.
Thank you nonetheless.
1 person likes this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
30 Apr 08
You can indeed use CDs or DVDs for images or video clips...I've done it for a decade now.
Also, you did not completely specify what is wrong and what is needed in the opening discussion like you did in your response here (and more details always help in a computer-advice discussion).
CDs can be used to store and view videos and images and the CDs can be shared and viewed by anyone (in data form and completely viewable only on computer).
DVDs function in the same way as CDs, but you can also put direct video or slideshows on those. Its possible your burning software isn't suitable for the task or you are burning incorrectly (Roxio has a problem of creating "Your PC only" type CDs if one selects the "allow for future recording option", for one example). Make sure when burning that "allow multisession" or "allow for future recording" is not checked. This makes it easier for CDs and DVDs to be read on different computers and drives.
You may want to reinstall your burning software, see if that helps.
The CD drive on your mother's computer may not read particular CDs or DVDs depending on age and the device. There may be an ownership problem in terms of files and folders which could be solved by using this.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421
(http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421)
For your DVD player project, you are safer using "-R" as they are more commonly accessible to DVD players (but if that doesn't work, try "+R"). If you are simply making data project DVDs, that is not going to work on a standard video DVD player. You have to get software that allows for DVD video burning, like Xilisoft, Adobe Encore, Nero, Ulead, DVDit or MyDVD. Jessi you could also consider Windows Movie Maker 2 and here is a tutorial of what you are looking for. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/create/savetodvd.mspx
(http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/create/savetodvd.mspx)
If there are still problems, you may have an infected computer. Run an antivirus scan and an antispyware scan. If nothing comes up, restart your system and put it in safe mode (should be F8 during start up). Run your antivirus and antispyware scans from there.
1 person likes this
@ferdzNK (3211)
• Philippines
28 May 08
They have explain the CD/DVD format in details and what they are for. When sharing these media it is equally important to know what their PC/player is capable of. From what I've read the DVD player of your Dad is ok. About you mother-in-law's PC, maybe she don't have DVD drive or maybe it is an old choosy(disc brand specific) one or maybe something happed to the disc or its drive head need some cleaning. The absence of a viewer/player program may also be one cause. This is one I know DVD-R are well suited for videos.
@soulofwolf (63)
• United States
24 Apr 08
(Q2) You can put your pictures on either a DVD or a CD. The main determination is the amount of pictures and the size of said pictures. CD's are limited to 640 megs whereas a general DVD (not double layer) has 4.7 gigs of space; over 7 times the space!
So it really depends on the quantity of pictures, the size of the pictures, and your computer... you have to have a DVD burner... not everyone does.
(Q1) Without getting too bogged down in the details and confusing descriptors, here is a basic, plain language info per your request.
DVD+R and DVD-R were designed to indicate compatibility with older DVD players. In effect, however, either DVD+R or DVD-R should work in any computer or DVD player manufactured in the last 6 years. When in doubt, go with DVD+R; however, DVD-R has slightly more available space.
CD's in contrast are much simpler. You can choose from R or RW meaning writable once (R) or rerecordable (RW).
As with CD's, the RW signification - on the label - indicates the DVD is rerecordable; unfortunately, and confusingly, the geeks-that-be decided to burn the RW logo on each DVD thereby indicating the DVD is burnable. Based on the understanding of CD's - which came first - a reasonable assumption would be that the RW logo burned on the DVD is rerecordable... it is not! RW on a DVD simply signifies it is recordable as there are DVD's that are only created via the manufacturer.
There is more info available but I am sure your head is already pounding with this! In general, whatever DVD you buy, wherever you shop, will be either a DVD+R or a DVD-R and either will be fine!
