A question about printable DVD R?

DVD-R Stupid Question?

• I just ordered a DVD-R assuming it will play in my JVC player.I have not received the new dvd yet but was wondering; how do I know for sure if it will play? I'm alittle clueless to the different formats. The instruction book with my player says it will play DVD-R/RW written in the dvd video format, and in the SVCD, video cd or audio cd format. If it's in the VR format it may play but might damage my speakers due to noise. How will I know when I get the dvd , if it's okay to play? Could someone take the time to explain alittle to me. I never pay attention to that when I buy one from the store but this company I ordered from said no returns if it doesn't play DVD-R. HELP!!!

• Answer:

  Hi Sundown, You will not harm anything by trying to play the wrong format DVD. It simply will not play anything. The DVD+R and DVD-R are competing formats much like the old VHS and Beta formats in video tapes. Today most drives are Hybrid and handle both formats. They are usually labeled DVD+/-R The market for recordable DVD technology never settled down in favor 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 devices that can only record to one of the formats. 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 favor the DVD-R standard exclusively, and when creating DVD’s for distribution (where the playing unit is unknown or older) the DVD-R format would normally be preferable. My personal experience has led me towards using the +R. It is slightly better at error handling so more tolerant of dirty or damaged media and also more tolerant to the subtle differences between players. Norm