i have noticed that there are 2 types of dvd burners.  there are dvd+rw and dvd-rw.  what is the difference in the two?  sounds like people are always in a beta and vhs war.  anyhow, can some one explain the difference.  I want to be able to create dvd-r because my dvd player can play those along with wma and mp3 files.  

thanks
lojack

   There are four types that I'm aware of in your interest.

 DVD-R  burn once only.
 DVD+R  burn once only.
 DVD-RW  burn over many times.
 DVD+RW  burn over many times.

 The DVD-RW is compatible with most DVD video players and DVD ROMs.
 The DVD+RW is supposed to be compatible with "all" DVD video players and DVD ROMs.

 There is also DVD-A (for quality audio, music) somewhat similiar to high quality SACDs but there are no comsumer burners for these as far as I know and this format doesn't fit your DVD player.

dvd-r media is cheaper atleast in my area
and is more for data use it will work on video also.

There still isn't an absolute standard when it come to DVD burners.  May be a few years yet till we get one.  The motion picture and recording industries would have it so you couldn't own one at all.  Blame them for the setback.

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Sony has reported that they are going to start shipping DVD-RW/+RW drives soon.

[url=http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,104372,00.asp]Sony Set to Unveil Multi-Format DVD Drive[/url]

They are one of the first companies to cave and put out one drive that does both. Which is good! Makes shopping easier.

DVD-R is the most compatible format.  It's also one of the cheapest (you can get a Pioneer A04 for $299, an A03 for even less).

But unless you had an urgent need, wait a year or two for the format wars to end.

humm the sony one sounds cool, but i wonder what the price tag will be on that puppy.  Also, what is the difference between the pioneer A04 and A03?

thanks
lojack

A04 has 'documented' burn proof, and is a newer unit (gen 1.5).  The A03 has no burn proof (that according to pioneer) and is the first DVD-R Pioneer made (gen 1).