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Rich Clark wrote:
>
>>(...Now, what, historically, IS the traditional outcome of
>>"PC-compatible vs. separate dedicated-hardware machine" format wars?)
>
> What format war are you talking about?

Well, DIVx didn't just fail because we *didn't like* it--

When you have computer stores selling DVD's for the desktop, it gives
you one LESS reason to buy that big expensive one-purpose black box from
the other guys at Circuit City...

Derek Janssen

On Mon, 05 Jan 2004 15:03:42 -0800, Derek Janssen <>
wrote:


>I'm not impressed by Memorex (bad coaster experience), but I've been to
>five places looking for Sony disks, and not sure if they're still
>available--
>Any other backup favorites just in case?


I've always tried to stick with TDK wherever possible, right from
Floppy disks through to CDs, and now DVDR. I've found that TDK is the
most reliable brand.

I wouldn't go near Memorex either!

"Derek Janssen" <> wrote in message
news:3ff9c1af$0$6764$...
> Skid wrote:
>
> > +R media is a little harder to find and slightly more expensive in some
> > areas, but that gap is narrowing. The cheapest -R discs are generally
not
> > worth having anyway because the quality is low and the percentage of
> > coasters high. Buying good media in bulk makes either format more
> > affordable.
>
> Yeah, reminds me; off the subject but I was going to ask:
> Just which *are* the techie-recommended -R brands (assuming I'm doing my
> burning on iMac drive)?:

One thing to kep in mind is that there are only a handful of plants actually
making the discs, even though they are sold under a multitude of brand
names. And some brands, Memorex is one, change manufacturers, disc types and
dyes more often than you change your underwear. That means the spindle you
buy today may not be the same as the one you buy with exactly the same label
tomorrow. An app like DVDInfoPro can identify what it actually is you
bought.

But to answer your question, Ritek is one of the most consistent and
respected media manufacturers, sold under some top name brands like
Verbatim. But you can buy generic Ritek under it's own name cheaper in both
formats and all speed ratings. Here, for instance:

http://www.meritline.com/ritek-dvd-blank-media.html

For comparison, the excellent Verbatim DataLife -R (2X) discs I bought at
Sam's for $1.20 each in a spindle of 50 are actually Ritek G03, $ .91 each
with free shipping.

ZC TGS <> wrote in message

> I wouldn't go near Memorex either!

I've always had great experience with Memorex DVD-R's. The only
coasters I've ever burned were with Verbatim (last batch I bought had
trouble with DVD's of over 3.8 GB) and cheapo brands.

-Eric

"CFster" <> wrote in message
news:rgmKb.35005$F22.10207@lakeread02...
>
> "mrdancer" <> wrote in message
> news:YLiKb.6619$ m...
> >
> > "lbbs" <> wrote in message
> > news:...
> > > Some stores I called apparently don't carry the dvd+R. Why are
the -
> > more
> > > popular? Most new dvd players will play both the + and the -.
> >
> > DVD -R has been around longer and is recognized by more DVD players.
+R
> > reportedly has a few advantages over -R (probably none of which the
> average
> > consumer would ever realize), but unfortunately is supported by
microsoft.
> >
> >
>
> http://www.dvdplusrw.org/Article.asp?mid=0&sid=3&aid=12

My sentiments exactly.

"CFster" <> wrote in message
news:rgmKb.35005$F22.10207@lakeread02...
>
> "mrdancer" <> wrote in message
> news:YLiKb.6619$ m...
> >
> > "lbbs" <> wrote in message
> > news:...
> > > Some stores I called apparently don't carry the dvd+R. Why
are the -
> > more
> > > popular? Most new dvd players will play both the + and the -.
> >
> > DVD -R has been around longer and is recognized by more DVD
players. +R
> > reportedly has a few advantages over -R (probably none of which
the
> average
> > consumer would ever realize), but unfortunately is supported by
microsoft.
> >
> >
>
> http://www.dvdplusrw.org/Article.asp?mid=0&sid=3&aid=12

I find this interesting. Of course it was put out by the DVD+R
organization, so I emphasizes the advantages of +R over -R. What I
would like to see is a similar article put out by the DVD-R
organization, wherein it does the same for -R. Anyone know of one?

Norm Strong

> > http://www.dvdplusrw.org/Article.asp?mid=0&sid=3&aid=12


"normanstrong" wrote ...
> I find this interesting. Of course it was put out by the DVD+R
> organization, so I emphasizes the advantages of +R over -R. What I
> would like to see is a similar article put out by the DVD-R
> organization, wherein it does the same for -R. Anyone know of one?

www.dvdminusrw.org is available!

"normanstrong" <> wrote in message
news:bDCKb.76402$xX.542959@attbi_s02...

> > http://www.dvdplusrw.org/Article.asp?mid=0&sid=3&aid=12
>
> I find this interesting. Of course it was put out by the DVD+R
> organization, so I emphasizes the advantages of +R over -R. What I
> would like to see is a similar article put out by the DVD-R
> organization, wherein it does the same for -R. Anyone know of one?
>
> Norm Strong

Not exactly, but here are some semi-independent assessments that conclude +R
seems to have the brightest future:
http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/122
http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/113
http://asia.cnet.com/newstech/person...9163045,00.htm

And here's one that concludes -R is the most compatible.
http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Arti...bility%20Tests

All opinions are suspect. Both formats work. More people use -R because it's
been around longer. +R has technical advantages and is gaining ground in the
marketplace.

On Mon, 05 Jan 2004 18:17:50 -0500, CFster wrote:


> "mrdancer" <> wrote in message
> news:YLiKb.6619$ m...
>>
>> "lbbs" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>> > Some stores I called apparently don't carry the dvd+R. Why are the
>> > -
>> more
>> > popular? Most new dvd players will play both the + and the -.
>>
>> DVD -R has been around longer and is recognized by more DVD players.
>> +R reportedly has a few advantages over -R (probably none of which the
> average
>> consumer would ever realize), but unfortunately is supported by
>> microsoft.
>>
>>
>>
> http://www.dvdplusrw.org/Article.asp?mid=0&sid=3&aid=12
>
> CFster

http://www.dvdplusrw.org/Article.asp?mid=0&sid=3&aid=11 says this: When
the DVD+RW Alliance set up the standards for the DVD+RW and DVD+R formats,
they included compatibility with existing DVD-Video players and DVD-ROM
drives as a key requirement into the specification. DVD+R/+RW is the only
format that was build from scratch to be compatible with DVD and to act as
a logical -compatible- addition to the popular DVD system.
</end quote>

So why is it that (the people on this forum at least) say the -R is better
supported?

Is it really a case of
(a) A lot of people here are the first to get new technology
(b) so they got -R
(c) so they're protecting they're own interests (continued cheap -R
media).

Just wondering...

And if anyone wants to argue I'd like reasons *other than cost* (because
we're spending £££££ on a recorder, so what difference does £ make in a
year when prices are falling anyway if the result is better?) why I should
consider one format over the other

--
Matt


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"Matt" <> wrote in message
news. ..

> So why is it that (the people on this forum at least) say the -R is better
> supported?

I think all anyone's saying is that the installed base for "dash" is larger,
worldwide.
>
> Is it really a case of
> (a) A lot of people here are the first to get new technology
> (b) so they got -R
> (c) so they're protecting they're own interests (continued cheap -R
> media).

There's no conspiracy. "Dash" discs are cheaper because of sales volume.

> And if anyone wants to argue I'd like reasons *other than cost* (because
> we're spending £££££ on a recorder, so what difference does £ make in a
> year when prices are falling anyway if the result is better?) why I should
> consider one format over the other

I don't think you should. There's no reason not to buy a dual-format burner,
if the idea of having to choose bothers you.

RichC