Can anyone answer with a detailed information to the below compatibility question ?
Can I read data DVDs on a DVD-ROM ? If yes, does it apply to older models of DVD too.
Is there any way ( software ) using which I can check the compatibility ?
What other DVDs formats and types I read using a DVD-ROM ?
Is there any difference between DVD-RW, DVD-R , DVD+R, DVD+RW ? Please explain.
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Ok, hmm... hard to explain...
Every drive is "supposed" to read all disks (except DVD+RW/DVD-RW) but I've seen some drives having problems with the DVD+R format, but allmost no compatibility issues with DVD-R
The problem is that DVD+R is a more stable system...
If you're interested in buying a DVD writer, I suggest you to look for one that can write all disks so you will never run into any compatibility issues. DVD±R drives are only a little more expensive then their brothers that can only write either DVD+R or DVD-R.
The problem for you will be that there's no way to test compatibility issues except for trying.
LucF
>>and also any detailed troubleshooting if a DVD-RW or DVD+RW writer fails to write properly ?
Nope, nothing detailed, but mostly I start with:
1) Error codes? (www.google.com will help you with those)
2) Trying another disk
3) Trying to lower the write speed (indicates a lower IDE speed or a dirty lens)
4) Changing the IDE cable (I always have a spare one around)
5) Trying the writer in another computer
6) Just try another writer, if that one works, this one is faulty (sometimes a firmware update will bring it back to life)
to add to 3, cleaning the lens is never a stupid idea.
LucF
"Is there any difference between DVD-RW, DVD-R , DVD+R, DVD+RW ? Please explain."
Put simply, there are currently two major writable DVD formats, +R and -R.
The -RW and +RW formats are simply the re-writable versions of these, like CD-RW is to CD-R.
DVD-R:
This version of the DVD standard is still largely geared towards burning DVD movies. DVD-R uses similar technology to CD-R.
DVD-R was the first format to be introduced and as such this format is the most compatible with standalone DVD players, but this is changing as DVD+R gains popularity.
This standard is ~96% compatible with DVD players and DVD-ROM players.
DVD+R:
This standard is supported by Sony, Yamaha, Philips, Dell, and HP. It is technically a better format due to the way it data is written. Sectors on the disk have thier own 'index' (like a hard disk), therefore the disk doesn't need to be finalised. DVD+R disks also have better error correction and can cope with small amounts of damage like scuffs and dirt better that DVD-R (although I'm not going to scratch one to find out!).
This standard is ~87% compatible with DVD players and DVD-ROM players.
Overall though there is very little difference between DVD-R and DVD+R, both of which can only be written once. They are used in exactly the same way.
And both media types have a storage capacity of 4.7GB.
basically, from what I've seen, the DVD-R standard is owned be the same people who own the original DVD standard. DVD-R is the most compatible format for older hardware. -R and -RW have the data structured the same as a single layer mass produced DVD disk.
+R and +RW are a diferent beast, and the data is structured a little differently but at the core they are largely the same.
Therefore, almost all hardware in the stores now is tested to be able to read all 4 formats.
The DVD RW formats share the same relationship to DVD R as CD-RW and CD-R
The RW disks have different reflective properties, and therefore, you need a reader designed to read them for total compatibility.
just like Multi-read CD-Rom drives that can read R and RW disks, as well as oddball file structure systems like PhotoCD, VCD and the like, There is now a DVD Multi-read, but because it is owned by the DVD-R people, (who also own DVD-RAM, those three formats are all it comprises, (-R, -RW and -RAM)
I believe Iomega and LG have five format DVD burners out now.
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by: LucFPosted on 2004-04-14 at 01:28:45ID: 10821405
Hi Jonybrv,
>>Can I read data DVDs on a DVD-ROM
Yep
>>If yes, does it apply to older models of DVD too.
Yep, they should, but sometimes drives have problems with some DVD-R/DVD+R's
>>Is there any way ( software ) using which I can check the compatibility ?
Not that I know of, but if you tell us what drive you have, we might look around for you if there are any known compatibility issues.
>>What other DVDs formats and types I read using a DVD-ROM ?
It should be able to read all formats, again there might be some compatibility issues.
>>Is there any difference between DVD-RW, DVD-R , DVD+R, DVD+RW ?
Yep, big differences.
>>Please explain.
Take a look here:
http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dv
If you have more questions, let me know.
Greetings,
LucF