This guide mainly refers to the differences between the existing formats for DVD recorders. Also, it discusses the compatibility problem.
DVD recorders come in three different recordable formats: DVD-R/RW, DVD-RAM and DVD+R/RW. That is also the order they have been released on the market.
The most important thing to understand about DVD recordable formats is their backwards compatibility with DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives.
The opinions about the backwards compatibility provided by various DVD formats are very different. The discs recorded in the DVD-R format can be read on most players and DVD-ROM drives (90%). The next in line are discs recorded in the DVD+R format, compatible with 85% of the existing players. Both re-recordable formats (DVD±RW) were reported to provide similar compatibility rates, around 65%.
The controversy about which one is the best format for standalone DVD recorders was partially increased by the fact that they are all competing formats, fighting to become standard. The three DVD formats are said to be more or less compatible with DVD players and computer DVD-ROM drives. The fact is that the differences are more about the manufacturers and less about the formats.
Normally, buying a cheap DVD disc, no matter the format, will give you more compatibility headache. You can also have the unpleasant surprise that your old player for example, doesn’t read recordable discs at all. It is a problem of different reflectivity for pre-recorded DVDs you buy in stores and the ones you record yourself. Now, there are many companies that sell “super combos” or “DVD Multi” devices. They are more expensive, but the difference in price can be considered a cheap insurance in case one format becomes “standard” in detriment of the others.
A “DVD Multi” recorder should write in all the DVD-R, DVD+R and DVD-RAM formats. A “DVD Multi” Player will playback from all three disc formats. Up to this moment, there are no standalone DVD recorders on the market that can record in all three formats. Though, there are decks that combine DVD-R/RW with DVD-RAM formats or DVD-R/RW with DVD+R/RW formats.
The DVD-R/RW and DVD-RAM formats are both supported by the DVD Forum, unlike the DVD+R/RW format, which is endorsed by the DVD+R/RW Alliance.
The DVD Forum is an international alliance of the main hardware manufacturers, software developers and content providers for the Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) industry.
The DVD+R/RW Alliance acts as a voluntary group in the industry, and brings together a few big companies that also have DVD Forum membership.