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I want to get my stuff on DVD but i don't know which type of DVD writer to buy so my DVDs will be playable in all DVD players worldwide.

Do i buy DVD-R or DVD+R .... Any help in this matter would be really appreciated.

Thanks
Mick Handy

For disks that play in a standalone dvd player get dvd-r.
but its not as easy to create a dvd as it is to create a vcd or cd , its actually wuite difficult and technical.

Sy

Put a wet towel around your head and go to sleep for a year.

Wait until the format war has resolved and buy a writer for the winner.

The machines of either format are expensive at the moemnet and if you choose the loser, you will have wasted money.

This time next year it is hoped that the winning format will be obvious and prices will drop.

remember VHS and Betamax? Its the same all over again.

'Tis indeed difficult and technical, as I can attest having spent the last 24hours authoring one disk. However, I have the finished item in my hand and having spun it on a 'domestic' I'm pleased to report that it works. It's DVD-R which seems to be the most widely supported format at the mo. DVD-R will work in any recent DVD player, and even my old, temperamental, pesky Pioneer player.

Officer Dibble

OK, to try to explain.(Best of my knowledge)

There are presently 4 DVD formats, one of which DVD-R is 'write once', ie once used it can't be over written or re used. DVD recorders for PC use all support this to my knowledge. They should also be compatible with most DVD players (Say less than 2 years old).

The other 3 formats are all re usable, but are not compatible and are also unlikely to play on any stand alone DVD player as far as I know. You might also find that the DVD authoring package wont write to them either They are DVD-RAM, DVD-RW and DVD+RW

I have little knowledge about the new breed of DVD based recorders from Phillips, Panasonic etc except that they do use one of the above formats of recordable disc.

On a PC a very simple, but straightforward and low cost (?35) programme is ULEAD Moviefactory which turns out DVD-R very reliably for use on stand alone machines.

DVD writers for PC use are now about ?200 and they can also be used as back up media for PC data

Hope this helps

As I said in an earlier post, lets hope the best format prevails. Betamax was, and still is, superior to VHS.

Mart

BUY A SONY DRU500A IT RECORDS ALL FOUR DVD FORMATS+CDR A SNIP AT ABOUT ?250

I'd heard this had temporarily been withdrawn due to teething problems, but cant confirm this

PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADS BUT BACK IN STOCK NOW,GOT MINE LAST WEEK,NICE BIT OF KIT

As I posted recently on this topic, the US mag "Computer Shopper" had nothing but praise for the DRU-500A, saying it supports all major formats, & offers superior performance & a very good software package;"simply the best deal among all DVD burners we've tested."