DVD-R vs DVD+R: Different Formats of DVDs Explained
Summary: When DVD was launched, users were simply inserting DVDs into their players to see movies. But just as CD (compact disc) technology came into existence, users could erase and record and re-record again the data onto CDs. With so many different formats DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, and DVD-RW, how do users know the difference between DVD-R vs DVD+R? What are these different types of DVDs? This article sheds some light on different types of DVD, the differences between DVD+R vs DVD-R, and many other related things. Have a look.
- • Rip/Convert DVDs to mainstream video/audio formats
- • Enable you to enjoy DVD files on mobile devices or in a home theater
- • Customize DVD video with the built-in video editor
- • Support batch conversion at GPU-accelerated speed
Table of Contents
What is DVD-R?
Digital Versatile Disc Recordable, or DVD-R, is a common recordable DVD format that appears similar to a normal DVD. However, in this DVD R vs DVD battel, this format can read data multiple times and is utilized to write data only once. DVD-R is a DVD format that is well-matched with all common recordable formats of DVD. Up to 4.7 GB of media files or data can be saved on a normal disk and almost 8.5 GB in a dual-layer disk. Discs can only be utilized once and can’t be utilized for re-recording when removed from the drive.
What is DVD+R?
Pronounced DVD Plus R, the format was launched in 2002. It is also a recordable DVD format, similar to DVD-R. However, it does not have any DVD logo. It has almost 80–85% better playback compatibility with all DVD players. It utilized ADIP system and normally is a bit more costly as compared to its DVD-R counterparts.
Difference between DVD-R vs DVD+R
What is the difference between DVD-R vs. DVD+R? Below is the difference between the two formats. Have a look:
DVD-R |
DVD+R |
DVD-R is pronounced as DVD Dash R. |
DVD+R is pronounced as DVD Plus R. |
It was launched in the year 1997. |
It was launched in the year 2002. |
DVD-R does not show support for drag and drop functionality. |
DVD+R shows support for drag and drop functionality. |
It is less costly as compared to DVD + R. |
It is more costly as compared to DVD-R. |
DVD-R does not check for bugs during recording. |
DVD+R checks for bugs at the time of recording. |
While using this, users are not permitted to record or format data together. |
While using this, users are permitted to record and format data together. |
There is more risk of error and interference. |
There is less risk of error and interference. |
DVD-R can only be written once. |
DVD+R can be written many times. |
So, the question remains? DVD R vs DVD R which is better? Obviously, DVD+R is better in comparison since it can be used a number of times for recording and erasing.
What is the Difference between DVD+R and DVD+RW?
Now that you have had a look at the DVD +R vs -R difference, let us have a look at some more data. DVD+R and DVD+RW formats are supported by huge companies such as Yamaha, Philips, Dell & Hewlett-Packard, and Ricoh. DVD+R is same as CD-R as it is a recordable format. Hence, there is nothing to compare between CD R vs DVD R. It can record the data only one time and then the data turns out to be permanent on the disc. These cannot be use again for recording.
DVD+RW is a re-recordable format which is exactly as CD-RW. The data can be recorded and erased a number of times without leading to any damage to the discs. It is essential to note that DVDs which are created using a +R/+RW device can be read easily by most of the commercial DVD players.
What is the difference between DVD-5, DVD-10, DVD-9, and DVD-18?
Now that we had a look at DVD +R vs DVD -R, let us have a look at some more types of DVDs.
DVD-5: The DVD-5 is a single-layer, single sampled DVD at 4.7 GB of storage memory. More particularly, it is just 4.37 GB. The medium has two sections. Both sections are created using polycarbonate, which acts as a carrier substance. The one section of a recording layer created from aluminum is covered and deposited with a protective layer of polycarbonate.
DVD-10: The DVD 10 is a single-layer, sampled double-sided DVD with 9.4 GB of storage memory. The medium is made of two sections. Both sections are created using polycarbonate, which acts as a carrier substance. Both the sections of a recording layer created from aluminum are covered and deposited with a protective layer of polycarbonate.
DVD-9: DVD-9 is a double layer, single sampled DVD with 8.5 GB of storage memory. The medium is made of two sections. Both sections are created using polycarbonate, which acts as a carrier substance. One section of a layer is vapor-deposited, which is normally made using aluminum. This recording layer is dubbed Layer 0. A second semi-permeable layer is deposited from here. It is normally created using gold or a mixture of carbon and silicon (SiC), or nitrogen and silicon (SiN). With another polycarbonate layer, DVD-9 is sealed using a protective layer.
DVD-18: The DVD 18 is a double-layer, sampled double-sided DVD with 17 GB of storage memory. The medium has two sections, each with 4 layers. The middle section is a thick layer of polycarbonate. It is the base for the other layers. On the polycarbonate comes a thin layer of a reflecting but an opaque substance that is applied (Layer 0). In a similarly thin semi-transparent but the transparent film is applied. A protective layer of polycarbonate is then used for DVD-18.
The below table explains the difference different DVD R vs DVD R. Have a look.
Disc Types |
DVD 5 |
DVD 9 |
DVD 10 |
DVD 18 |
DL DVDs |
Basic nature |
It is a single-layer single-sided disk. |
It is a dual-layer single-sided DVD disc. |
It is a single-layer double-sided DVD. |
It is a 2 sided disc that has a DVD-9 on both sides. |
There are two layers of standard DVD-5 that are joined using a transparent spacer. |
Capacity |
It has 4.7 GB of memory storage. |
It has 8.5 GB or 7.95 of memory storage. |
It has 9.4 GB or 8.7 of memory storage. |
It has 17 GB or 15.9 of memory storage. |
It has 8.5 GB of memory storage.. |
DVD formats |
It is supported by DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW formats. |
Supported by DVD-R and DVD+R formats. |
Supported by DVD-R/RW and formats. |
Supported by only DVD+R format. |
Supported by DVD+R & DVD-RW formats. |
Play features |
Can be used on DVD burners and DVD-ROMs. |
Can be used on DVD burners and DVD-ROMs. |
NA |
NA |
Can be used on DVD burners and DVD-ROMs. |
Price |
Inexpensive |
Expensive |
Expensive |
Expensive |
Inexpensive |
Reusable (Y/N) |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
When to Use DVD 5 and DVD 9?
Without any doubt DVD 5 and DVD 9 are the two most widely used formats of DVD. But the preferred format is very much reliant on the source video. If the source comes with a high bitrate then a huge amount of compression will offer much-enhanced results as compared to a video with a low bitrate. The DVD 5 format is majorly utilized for videos and to lower the amount of compression, one can remove the end credits easily. DVD 9 is normally used for those videos which utilize a lot of interactive menus and the TV series which usually comes with almost 7 episodes per disc.
Recommended DVD Ripping and Copying Software: DVDFab DVD Ripper
In this DVD vs R, with so many DVD types and formats, it becomes impossible to get a DVD that will be compatible with your device. Hence, the only solution to get rid of this problem is to rip a DVD for optimal playback on different devices, including Galaxy tablets, iPhones, Sony PlayStations and more. You can also convert your DVD movies into plain-Jane video files like MP4 and MOV. And the process of ripping DVDs becomes a child’s play when it does with DVDFab DVD Ripper. The tool helps in converting videos to more than 1000 video and audio formats supported by popular devices. To customize the output video, you can use the Profile Filter and Advanced Settings. Follow the below steps to know how to use this tool.
Follow the below steps to know how to use this tool:
Step 1: Download and install DVDFab 12.
Step 2: Click the Ripper module on the main screen.
Step 3: Click the + button on the main screen to upload the source file. You can also drag and drop the file to upload it.
Step 4: You can also insert the DVD you wish to rip into the drive. In addition to this, you can also navigate by using the Add option.
Step 5: Tap Choose Other Profile and click on the Format option.
Step 6: Next, click the Video option to convert videos to different formats. Users can also extract subtitles from DVD to SRT format, select audio tracks/language, or add external subtitles.
Step 7: In addition to this, users can also set audio and video parameters as per their requirements using the Advanced Settings section and Video Edit section.
Step 8: To increase the video quality, users need to select Enlarger AI. This will automatically enhance video quality.
Step 9: After adjusting the parameter, click the Start option to start the ripping process.
FAQs
What is the difference between NTSC vs PAL?
DVDs come in different video formats on the basis of where they are distributed such as PAL and NTSC. The two DVD formats differ in DVD frame rate, video resolution, regions, and supported DVD player. Below are some prominent differences between the two formats:
- NTSC (frame rate: 29.97fps, 60hz, video resolution: 720x480) is used in Canada, the United States, South Korea, Japan, Central America, Mexico, and parts of South America, and some other countries.
- PAL (frame rate: 25fps, 50hz, video resolution: 720x576) is used in China, Australia, the Middle East, most of Europe and Africa, India, and some other nations (Nations using the SECAM standard use PAL for DVDs).
- Most NTSC players cannot play PAL DVDs, excluding some specific or newer players.
- PAL players will play all NTSC DVDs. But this requires the DVDs to be region-free. If the DVD region code is unsupported, the DVD player will not play a foreign DVD anyways.
What is the difference between DVD-RAM and DVD-ROM?
DVD-RAM is a rewritable and recordable DVD type designed by Toshiba, Panasonic, and a few other companies. It comes in non-cartridge and cartridge forms, double- or single-sided with 4.7GB of memory storage per side. DVD-RAM discs are very helpful for backups similar to a hard drive as they can be rewritten for almost 100,000 times, 100 times more as compared to either DVD+RW or DVD-RW. On the other hand, DVD-RAM is not as widely used as DVD R/RW discs and can be played only on some camcorders, DVD-RAM drives, and video recorders. It is not supported by most DVD-Video players and DVD-ROM drives.
DVD-ROM is a read-only DVD video format and holds almost 4.38 GB of data that is pre-recorded by the companies and cannot be rewritten, changed, or erased. This type of DVD is widely used for software applications and movie rentals. DVD-ROM discs can be read with a DVD-ROM/DVD-RAM drive by a computer, but not on a DVD drive linked to a TV or home theater system.
Conclusion
Having said that, we just saw what is the difference between DVD-R vs. DVD+R? In addition to this, we also had a look at different kinds of DVDs. Lastly, we saw that DVDFab DVD Ripper is the best option to rip any DVD and make it optimal for playback on different devices. The tool helps in converting videos to more than 1000 video and audio formats supported by popular devices.