I Just got my first DVD writer - questions

[nhdonny]

I just put a cheapo emachines with amd xp chip, 120gig, 512mb, and a Nec DVD writer that does -R +R at 4x

It writes 4.7 gigs faster than my CD burner writes 700mb. this thing is extremely cool.

Questions: I wanted the DVD for backup like I've been using my CDR.

Any issues people have run across yet? I was told to use -R for now and so far what I've burned has read fine in other machines.

Should I be spending the major cash for high quality DVDs or will they all be unreadable anyway in 5 years? For my photo archives I like to use gold CDs.

thanks

[jmbeach]

No, DVD is a great backup medium. Depending on how often you access those backups, though, may determine whether you make doubles. One for daily use, and one for true backup - sealed away, locked in a safe...

The only thing I would worry about is the type of media you buy. I've heard some stories of users backing up movies, and the discs failing after several months. I too am still rather new to the DVD format for burning, so I cannot offer my long term advice. Just don't buy the cheap discs, and hopefully you'll "get what you pay for."

[Silverbug]

whats the difference between the + and - disks?

[jmbeach]

it's a completely different format, and some DVD players cannot read one or the other.

That's why ideally you have a multi format writer.

I don't really know the specific differences, but that's what google is for

[nhdonny]

The "Expert" at Bestbuy said the -R is more compatible with most readers. so far he's right.

I always trust the Bestbuy $8/hr. guy!

[Brangwyn]

In theory +R was the most compatible when first released becuase it was based on existing standards and even many standalone DVD players could read the media, it doesn't really make much of a difference now, just use whichever you can get the cheapest media for DVD's pretty much mainstream now not like 2 years ago when there really were compatability issues to consider.