regarding the CDRinfo DVD compatibility test [Archive]

KuroNeko

31st July 2003, 10:53

Reading the statement on the news section about that product manager saying he'd like it if DVD-R disappears...

From several test results in German PC mag "C't" (tests performed in Sweden by a professional testing facility) it is clear that although DVD+ format is indeed easier to manufacture, this has not lead to better discs. In fact, comparing DVD discs for both formats, from the same manufacturer and from different manufacturers, the DVD-R discs are much better quality than the easier-to-make DVD+R.

It seems the more stringent requirements of DVD-R means they need to be more attentive and careful, leading to better quality product. Whereas the DVD+R requirements are too lax leading to sloppy products.

I wouldn't be surprised if media quality has had an influence in the outcome of the compatibility test as well.

So unless manufacturers start making equal quality DVD+R vs DVD-R discs, pray the - format lives.

Neko

erbuk

2nd August 2003, 07:37

They only tested two different media brands for each format (and it was not the low-price discs that most people making DVD-backups use). And they only tested it on 47 different players. That should give you a margin of error that far exceeds the ten percent difference if you want to use the test to decide the difference between the two standards.

Another problem is that the different DVD-formats have for some strange reason become religion. It's like the Mac-PC or Windows-Linux "War". I must say I have a hard time understanding why people become so obsessed with their choice or hardware, OS or DVD format. But it's a fact and it makes it hard to trust anyone in this business not even the people making reviews at cdr-info. I think, for example, that their choice of players with very many Pioneer players was a bit strange.

But I don't doubt the test result itself I just don't agree with the conclusions. The test doesn't show the difference between the two standards. It only shows the difference between the media brands and players they used.