DVD-R & DVD+R Compatibility

The Formats

The DVD-R (DVD minus R) format has been around for some time now, having been the only one of three formats approved by the DVD Forum and adopted by most of the major DVD set-top manufacturers as the standard format. The other two main recordable DVD formats are - DVD+R (DVD plus R), & DVD-RAM. Both of these formats are supported to varying degrees by mainstream manufacturers, but DVD-R is by far the most popular. We support and supply all three options. 

The Issues

Even so, there are a few set-top players and Laptop PC's still having problems reading Recordable DVD's, both DVD-R & DVD+R, although these now tend to be older models. In most cases the problem manifests itself as 'pixelation' or 'freezing' of the picture. These problems can almost always be overcome. Alternative blank stock with different dye types cure most problems, and recording to one or the other format resolves others. Simply allowing the disc to cool down before replaying is also a common solution.

Some of the reasons for this kind of behaviour include: 

• Variations of coloured dye used by different DVD-/+R manufacturers
• Incompatible laser/drive mechanisms
• Non-standard firmware (software) used in the player's processor
• Heat build-up on the disc surface

The Solutions

Before going ahead with your DVD conversion you may want to check the following:

• Check your players Make & model number with the list below. This contains many (but not all) of the various players available in the market today and lists those that users have found compatible with recordable DVD's and those that are NOT.
• If your player is not listed below, don't worry, check your players manual, or contact the manufacturer to see if it supports DVD-R or DVD+R formats.
• Almost all non-Laptop computer DVD players and associated software will play DVD-R media without any problems.

Remember, 95% of players are compatible and WILL play the discs perfectly. Others may play them, but perhaps with an occasional 'freeze' or 'pixelation' of the picture. Very few players will not play them at all. Because of the issues explained above, we (or any other production company) cannot guarantee 100% compatibility.

We use only quality Disks...... The Panasonic DVD's we use are, in our opinion, one of the most compatible disks around (see above). The disks use an advanced version of dye and have an amazing compatibility with all consoles and 95% of set-top DVD players.

DVD-R Compatibility List