[Ham-Computers] Re: DVD Media Question

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Aaron,

OK.  This clears up a lot of questions.  If I understand what you're saying, 
the difference between +R and -R is not in the physical write technique but in 
the data organization.  Which should mean that as far as MTBF of the medai is 
concerned, there's no difference given the same quality media.  My main 
(almost only) interest is in storing backups of .TIF file scans of vintage military 
(and some civilian) radio TM's (currently 28 CD-R's representing only about 
5% of my collection, and most done at at the earlier 300 or 400 DPI).  So 
choice of media format boils down to end use, which favors +R.  I hope to quadruple 
my available manuals this year.  And the thought of keeping up with 100 
backup CD's was getting somewhat troubling.  Plus double that for off-site backups.

In a message dated 1/19/2005 7:44:29 PM Central Standard Time, 
aaron.hsu at nbcuni.com writes: 
> "-R" was the first recordable format and was developed by Pioneer.  As 
> mentioned before, it was designed to mimic the DVD-ROM/Video format.  The "-R" 
> format we commonly use is known as "General".  There's also another "-R" format 
> used for "Authoring" (used for "mastering" other DVD's).  "-R"'s main 
> advantage is compatibility with stand alone DVD players.
> 
>  "+R" was developed by Philips and Sony as a competitor to "-R".  It took 
> into consideration the use of DVD as a data storage medium and optimized the 
> "format" to computer usage.  It's main advantage is the efficiency of the data 
> format for PC style reads/writes.  For example, I believe it's better suited 
> when handling "random" reads/writes across the disc as opposed to "-R" which 
> is based on a format designed for sequential access (such as movies).
> 
> 

Robert Downs - Houston
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