DVD+R / DVD-R: comment by someone working in a plant

[alexnoe]

http://www.heise.de/newsticker/foren/go.shtml?read=1&msg_id=4708938&forum_id=50434

What I like best is that everyone who claims that DVD+ is *cheaper* to produce is wrong :-)

[windtrader]

Nice article, even translated via Bablefish.:p

It seems to me the underlying facts point to DVD+R being a better product.

Fact 1: DVD+R process uses one laser vs two for DVD-R production. No alignment errors with one laser system.

Fact 2: DVD+R standard is better documented. Less variance in intrepetation and increased standardization of production equipment and materials.

Fact 3: DVD+R process produces less error rate due to lack of pre-pit used in DVD-R. Probable higher yields with DVD+R, particularly when going to 8x.

I tried to form an opinion of where +R vs -R pricing would be heading. There are too many other factors that influence pricing so I could not make an informed call.

My gut tells me that pricing of both will stay pretty close for the next year or so. I think DVD+R yields will be greater so better profits to paydown new equipment and less global production capability will maintain pricing.

Even though DVD-R production becomes totally commoditized, inherently poorer yields and majority of production cost being polycarbonate will prevent pricing from dropping dramatically away from DVD+R. Increasing demand for +R is kept in balance with increased production capacity, so no effect on prices. DVD-R demand will remain relatively strong over the next 12-18 months due to current install base and possible small cost advantage but will be falling as a percentage of overall DVD media production.

The mainstream arrival of 8x and then the new HD DVD format will be the next major events that put this technology in the back seat, at which time both are completely commoditized.

[atreides93]

Interesting article. A bit difficult to read since I don't speak german, but that babelfish thing helped...still it was a bit difficult to understand it fully. I guess he's saying there's not a huge difference between the two formats. He personally likes dvd+r....but I think some of the faults he had with dvd-r are eliminated if your buy from Ritek because I believe Ritek has figured out how to make good quality dvd-r's. Other brands may not be so good..

[Doom9]

What I like best is that everyone who claims that DVD+ is *cheaper* to produce is wrong :-)Actually not quite. True, the raw materials have the biggest impact on price and they are the same (heck, I've been to a plant and seen the different formats made from raw materials to QC), but he clearly said the DVD+R stampers are cheaper. Plus, you have to pre-record DVD-Rs which you don't have to do for DVD+Rs.
In any case, good discs cost about the same for each type and in the end the price you pay in a shop is what matters, not what the production company pays to make those discs.

And I like that his comments are very rule 12 friendly ;)

@atreides93: what he mentions about DVD-R and quality has nothing to do with the production company, but the specs themselves.