DVD-R vs. DVD+R

What is the differenec between DVD+R and DVD-R?

 

 

  

The DVD-R format was developed by Pioneer in 1997.[1] It is supported by most normal DVD players and is approved by the DVD Forum.
 
 In 2002, a new format was developed called DVD+R (or "plus" R). Created by a coalition called the DVD+RW Alliance, this format uses a number of improved technologies that, while generally unnoticeable to the end user, make a more reliable technology.

 

 This new format, among other things, resulted in DVD-R being unofficially referred to, in error, as DVD "minus" R. However, DVD "minus" R is not correct, according to DVD-R consortium recommendations; it is, in fact, a dash (i.e. DVD "dash" R).

 

DVD-R and DVD+R technologies are not directly compatible, which created a format war in the DVD technology industry. To reconcile the two competing formats, manufacturers created hybrid drives that could read both — most hybrid drives that handle both formats are labeled DVD±R and Super Multi (which includes DVD-RAM support) and are very popular.
 
 As of 2006, the market for recordable DVD technology shows little sign of settling down in favour of either the plus or dash formats, which is mostly the result of the increasing numbers of dual-format devices that can record to both formats. It has become very difficult to find new computer drives that can only record to one of the formats.

 

By contrast, DVD Video recorders still favour one format over the other, often providing restrictions on what the unfavoured format will do.[4] However, because the DVD-R format has been in use since 1997, it has had a five-year lead on DVD+R. As such, older or cheaper DVD players (up to 2004 vintage) are more likely to favour the DVD-R standard exclusively.[5]

 

Note: Information taken from Wikipedia        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-R