AfterDawn: News

Philips to push DVD+RW format further

Philips continues its efforts to make the "plus" format the dominant recordable DVD format over the "minus" camp (which is currently doing well with Pioneer's almost-legendary A03, A04 and A05 models).

Company has released reference design for PC DVD+RW drives that allows third party manufacturers to license the technology and -- if they wish -- basically just to copy the reference drive and put their own branding on it.



Philips released similiar reference player for home stand-alone DVD recorders in last month. Drive manufacturers are locked in a bitter fight over standards, where Philips, HP and Dell are supporting the "plus" drives (DVD+R and DVD+RW) and Pioneer, Apple and the official DVD Forum are supporting the "minus" standard (DVD-R and DVD-RW).

Source: News.com

Written by: Petteri Pyyny @ 5 Nov 2002 13:13

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• 11 comments

• seanbyrne

  I'd recommend either buying a DVD+RW drive or a DVD+/-RW (does both) drive. From what I read, DVD+RW gives more features such as varying compression from 120 minutes to 240 minutes per DVD+R and screen menu support. Minimum capacity of a 12cm DVD+R/W is 4.7GB.
  
  http://www.dvdplusrw.org/faq/dvdplusrwfaq01.html compares DVD+R/W to DVD-R/W
  
  http://www.cdfreaks.com/news2.php3?ID=5066 - Liteon to release a 4x DVD+/-RW drive for $200

  6.11.2002 05:04 #1

• dRD

  The disc format doesn't have _ANYTHING_ to do with the compression ratio, DVD-Video features, etc. Both formats are identical in that sense. And both, "minus" and "plus" discs have exactly same _maximum_ amount of data they can store: 4.38 gigabytes.
  
  The _ONLY_ difference between DVD-R and DVD+R is the fact that DVD+R drives can only burn DVD+R discs and DVD-R drives can only burn DVD-R discs. Both drives read both discs and DVD-ROM drives read both discs as well.
  

  Petteri Pyyny
  Webmaster
  http://AfterDawn.com/
  
  Please read our guides before posting questions! Guides are available here:
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  6.11.2002 06:24 #2

• dali

  As far as I know, DVD-R is more compatible with existing (old?) drives. For instance, some Sony standalone DVD players like DVP-C660 and DVP-S535D can't read any of the "plus" technology discs but stand both DVD-R and DVD-RW media. Even more, according to the compatibility list at vcdhelp.com (afterdawn holds a link pointing at it, in its articles section), Playstation 2 can't read DVD+RW, but reads DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD+R quite fine.
  
  PS1: I recommend DVD-R/RW. Pioneer DVD-A04 is a cool device (firmware updated, of course).
  
  PS2: I own a Sony DVD-Player myself. I don't remember the exact model, but I think it's the DVP-S550D. It's one of that silly devices which can read any CD-RW but only Princo CD-R media (odd but true!). Well, according to what is reported at vcdhelp.com, it won't read DVD-RW discs but using DVD+RW it will. I'm confused, but I'll try someday. Technology sucks.
  

  -- Daniel

  6.11.2002 10:17 #3

• gekkados

  That's not correct, i have a Playstation 2 and DVD+RW works fine ( SCPH 3004 R Pal )

  8.11.2002 04:01 #4

• dRD

  The older models of PS2 don't work with plus discs.
  

  Petteri Pyyny
  Webmaster
  http://AfterDawn.com/
  
  Please read our guides before posting questions! Guides are available here:
  http://www.afterdawn.com/articles/

  8.11.2002 04:15 #5

• dali

  OK, I take note. It was not first-hand info, anyway. I just forwarded what I had read out there. Btw, nice choice. I'd also buy a PS2 if I had enough time to play. I used to be an absolute paddy-lamer some years ago, but I had to quit. It's been such a looooong time since the last time I played a PC game...
  

  -- Daniel

  8.11.2002 06:04 #6

• seanbyrne

  I going by what is said on the dvdplusrw.org site, I didn't make the compression thing up between DVD-Rw & DVD+Rw!:
  http://www.dvdplusrw.org/faq/dvdplusrwfaq02.html#2.11
  
  http://www.dvdplusrw.org/faq/dvdplusrwfaq01.html#1.1

  8.11.2002 09:31 #7

• dRD_test

  The site's URL itself shows the slightly biased opinion, just like asking Microsoft to provide an independent review between Windows and Linux, don't you think?-)

  8.11.2002 09:58 #8

• st18901

  I started with a +Rw (hp200), tried it, it worked, but the media was way more expensive and not as compatible.
  
  When the prices of the +R media are the same as -R, then I'll look at which is most dominant and maybe switch to +R (again).
  Till then, -r wins.
  

  9.11.2002 00:34 #9

• dali

  Many people must be thinking the same, and that's why Philips is acting like this. They were losing until now }:-)
  

  -- Daniel

  9.11.2002 02:27 #10

• sirbucky

  i got a philips dvd+rw/r it the best around att the min,burn good with dvdx copy,i have not lost a disk with this burner not like the sony dvd burners.i give it 9 out of 10

  11.11.2002 10:35 #11