Page 1 of DVD-RW and DVD-RAM

DVD - RW and DVD - RAM what`s the difference and do`nt they do basically the same job anyway ?, by using a recordable blank dvd disc just like video tape, I mean in recording a item and when viewed record over it so to speak.

Anyone out there had any experience with the Pioneer DVR-3100 as I looking for a similar speced machine as my now deceased Phillips DVDR880.

DVD-RAM is far superior.

RAM is NOT superior.The new Pioneer machines(I have the 5100) offer far more facilities.RAM is great for editing but playback on other machines is not possible.Although -RW is similarly incompatible when in VR mode,which offers just as good editing as RAM,it can be recorded in Video mode which allows it to be played back in other players.RAM gives no such choice.The new Pioneer -RW machines also offer Timeslip,only on RAM until now,and with the ability to unfinalise -RW discs for reuse,RAM is ready for the format graveyard.It offers nothing that -RW does not,and -RW offers a lot that RAM cannot do.I have had +RW,RAM/-R,and now -RW/-R so I speak from experience.I don`t believe Paull has actually used -RW.
The 3100 has one setback.It has no RGB input,essential if you have a standard Sky Digibox.But Sky+ has the s-video output needed for the current Pioneer range.The latest Home Cinema Choice hinted that Panasonic were thinking of adding -RW to their machines.They realise that RAM is holding back the push to ease out the DVD+ format.

This item was edited on Saturday, 7th February 2004, 21:11

Ram is superior .FULL STOP. The only excuse that phelings give is that OLD FASHIONED players won`t play NEW Technology. Give me a break. R/W will rewite 10,000 times, RAM will re record 100,000 times. Editing is impossible on R/W. You can do almost anything on RAM. I have loads of DVD-RW discs that I use on my Pioneer 106. I also have loads of DVD+R/W discs. I use them YES, but DVD-RAM is so superior it is unbelievable. I have had to throw away some DVD RW discs because of faults. I use DVD-RAM 20 times more than DVD+-R/W (because of it`s superiority) & I have never had a faulty DVD-RAM disc yet. I have used 3 different makes. With TIMESLIP you could watch a football match & if a goal is scored you can replay it without missing any of the action. With R/W you would have to stop the disc & miss possible future action, & so on. Get with NEW TECHNOLOGY. GET DVD-RAM. If you don`t it`s your loss not mine. I expect there are loads on this forum that will back what I`ve said about DVD-RAM. Ohhhh hard drive recording is great but over expensive at the moment.

Quote:
Ram is superior .FULL STOP

No, actually, no format is superior to the other.
They all have their own characteristics that suit what they do.

+RW plays in some players and records higher speed usually when used on PC versions, and has faster access times for data recording.
-RW is a bit more compatible with standalones, but like + it records like a video tape, ie: you have to record over something thats on there you may not have watched yet.

RAM is definitely not heading for a "format graveyard", it`s the best format for personal recording like VHS, as it will seek out blank space on the disc, and record seamslessly on the same.
(picture it like this....4 hour video tape, record 30 mins, 1 hr, 30 mins, 30 mins....you`ve watched the first 1 and a half hours, but not the last two 30 min progs. You want to record something 2 hours long, on a video or +/-RW disc, you can erase what you haven`t watched to record the new programme, or you can try to FF past them and miss a bit of your new programme. RAM does exactly that, leaving the two 30 mins prog`s alone, but without the need to jump back and forward manually, and without missing anything.)

RAM is also better for Data for the self same reasons.

Jimbo : oÞ

Paull,when you have caught up with technology and understand what you are saying then come back.You say editing is not possible on RW.DVD-RW in VR mode is identical in flexibility to RAM.You can perform the same functions that RAM can.If you actually read my post thoroughly instead of skipping you will have seen that I point out that the new Pioneer machines offer Timeslip on -RW,just like RAM.But -RW offers a choice to record in a compatible format if you want,then return the disc to the player,delete the recording and start again.RAM offers no choice.You may be correct that RAM can be recorded on 10 times as often,but if -RW can record 10000 times,thats enough for me.The RAM format offers nothing over the new range of Pioneer machines,whose -RW offers the best of RAM and +RW on a single format.Timeslip is no longer exclusive to RAM,while rewritable disc compatibility is no longer exclusive to +RW.But to have the option of both,is exclusive to -RW.If RAM was so great,why are Panasonic reportedly thinking of adding -RW to their recorders?

Quote:
You may be correct that RAM can be recorded on 10 times as often,but if -RW can record 10000 times,thats enough for me.


Have to say I agree with Phelings on this one...I`d end up damaging a disc before I record on it 1000+ times <grin>

Quote:
If RAM was so great,why are Panasonic reportedly thinking of adding -RW to their recorders?

And to this I`d say, probably due to the massive amount of misinformation out there regarding the formats :(

I am so sick of hearing DVD recordable being described as "the same as when Beta and VHS came out"...there is NO similarity other than there is more than one format!

Beta and VHS were the same thing, Sony screwed up their marketing and killed the better system, DVD-R, DVD+R and DVD-RAM all have their uses in different industries and personal choices.

<shuts up now>

Jimbo : oÞ

Well that`s cleared that up then!! :D



I`m surrounded by Breakdancing strippers!

I doubt if most of us would ever re record the same disc 1000 times but, as with a car if it`s built to do say 200,000 miles & another is built to do 100,000 miles it would seem that the 200,000 mile car would offer better peace of mind. phelings I notice that you run down the DVD-RAM format on this & a number of other forums, normaly I say nothing but it is very misleading. You can afford a DVD-R with a Hard drive, most people want a more modern replacement for a VCR. They usually want it at the cheapest price with the most functions. The Panasonic E50 (& it`s imediate successor) is by far the best deck for that. I`ve had my E50 for several months now & there has not been one time it would not record every part of a programme in high quality, even LP quality is better than most would expect, especially compared to a VCR. The only reason DVD-RAM seems to be run down is because it is NEW technology & older players don`t play it. With a computer & being on this forum sudgests we all have one, I can convert a DVD-RAM to +or -R or +or- R/W very quickly & easily & then the -Rs would play on anything, the R/Ws would play on some. I have in the past posted technical information about DVDRAM & DVD-RW...DVD+R/W & DVD-RAM was by far the better, it has a `better bandwidth` or words to that effect. It can be eddited more easily. The DVD-R/W you talk about has to be changed to a different format to do this & I understand this makes it compatable with nothing. All in all if prejudices were put asside & the question of what is the difference between the two. The answer is they ARE similar but the DVD-RAM is streets ahead in what else it can do. As I have said before I`ve had a lot of faulty DVD- + R/Ws leaving me with lost information but never had a failed DVD-RAM inspite of useing it a lot more. As for Panasonic thinking of offering DVD-RW (I assume it`s true) then all well & good. I felt it was unnessary to leave it off & have written to Panasonic about this. I know if I bought a new Panny with DVD-R/W & DVD-RAM on I would use both but mostly (in case the phone rings,someone knocks on the door, I want to replay something quickly, I come home & the programme has started, & many more reasons) I would always use DVD-RAM for the timeslip. At night or if I`m away I maybe would use the DVD-RW.

Paull-you don`t need RAM for Timeslip anymore,-RW will do the job.The Pioneer machines are priced out of the mass market currently,but without taking price into account,-RW seems to be the way to go for the consumer as it offers both editing and compatibility on a single format.RAM just complicates things for the consumer,and despite your claims,compatibility is still the most contentious issue as can be seen by Panny rumoured to be adding -RW.What other reason could there be for them adding it?Even if your current recorder plays RAM,will the ones available in 5 years still play them?A trip to PC World seems to demonstrate the demand for RAM if you compare the amount of blank RAM`s they have compared to all other formats.