DVD Media

[Mobis101]

Hello

Are there two diffrent types of DVD media ? DVD-R & DVD + R as well as DVD - RW and DVD + R

Thanks

[ammck55]

There are actually more than two DVD recordable media formats, but the "plus" and "dash" formats seem to have risen to the top in terms of popularity and usage. I'm sure you've heard the term "dual-format" used in reference to burners, this meaning the drive will burn to either plus or dash discs. DVD-RAM was one of the first formats to hit the market, but I haven't heard much buzz on it in the forum for some time, now.

This link will take you to the DVD FAQ (http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#4.3.2) and bookmark you straight into the info on DVD formats. Before you leave the site, be sure to scroll up to the top of the page and check out all of the information available in this document, it's awesome. The first time I visited this site I was almost overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information archived, but poke around, you'll learn a lot from just a little reading.

From your other question on the Newbie's board, it seems as if you're having problems with burning. If you own a burner that's rated for only "plus" or only "dash", it will probably choke on the other format.

ammck55

[Mobis101]

Hello

My New Dell Dimension 2400 Pentium 4 came with a NEC DVD + RW ND-2100AD the system is only 1 month old so I would hope it is most current.

Thanks

[killingspree]

here's (http://www.videohelp.com/dvdwriters.php?DVDname=Nec+2100&Submit=Search&cdrs=&cdrws=&dvdrs=&dvdrws=&dvdprs=&dvdprws=&dvdprsdl=&dvdrams=&buffer=Any&list=2&orderby=Name&Search=Search) some more information on your DVD burner, as well as some comments of people that own the same burner...

anyway, as it says there it is an 8x DVD+R burner, so speed - wise it is definitely most current, although i'd trade the 8x speed for the capability to also be able to write to DVD-R media in a second...

perhaps you can update your firmware to also get "-" compatibility...
check here for details www.rpc1.org

cheers
steVe

[Dimmer]

@Mobis101
You can turn DVD+RW NEC ND-2100 into a dual-format drive ND-2500 via firmware upgrade (flashing): http://tdb.rpc1.org/#ND2100A. It will allow you to burn both DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW

However, keep in mind:
1. Probably, there is no need to do this because the blank media price is about the same for the two standards.
2. It's very easy to damage the drive permanently if you make a mistake during the flashing.
3. In any case it will void the warranty on your drive.

In other words, don't do it until you absolutely need to and know what you're doing.