DVD R + and - confusion.

Hello, I am trying to copy a friend's DVD from a disk he made of a party. On trying to buy some DVD writable disks I was asked if I wanted Plus, Minus or RAM format DVD disks. When I asked what they meant the person couldn't enlighten me except to look at me blankly and say 'which do you want'.
Apparently, the DVD writer I have will cope with all formats, but will the copies I make work in the players of my friends who also want a copy? Do I have to buy all three types of disk and find out which one will play in each of my friends players. Sorry, I've confused myself even more here. Help! :confused:

 

Blackthorn - I don't know the answer. But the more I see of this area and the differant standards the more I despair. I also understand that many companies that make disk writers have patented their method, so that another company must do it by a slightly differant method, even though they may be nominally the same standard. Consequently a DVD+ (say) disk made on one machine might not work very well on a differant make of machine using the same DVD+ standard.

The good news is that as readers and writers all have powerful chips in them, many can read more than one format.

You won't get any help from a shop on this, as you have said. I have googled the subject. But that just tells you the problem not the solution. I suspect that trial and error is the only way.

 

Being faced with the same problem, Blackthorn, I Googled the dvd formats and found this useful site . Now all I got to do is understand it!!

 

Thanks for that both of you, I am not really any wiser though on which format to burn onto. Like PeterS says, trial and error seems to be the only option. I think I will start with DVD-R and see how many of my friends can play it. I will let you know the outcome.

 

it wont make any difference if it is - or + that you use to copy the DVD.....

There is no need to buy a DVD ram disk, as the link stated, its for re-writing only.

PS have a look on the disk your friend has, it may say, DVD-R or DVD+R don't go for DVD-RW or DVD+RW.

 

Thanks PCmedic, I will do that.