DVD-R/DVD-RW FAQ's Section

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Q: Hi Andrew, I have one of the new Intel iMacs and according to the specs I can burn DVD+R and DVD-R. My question is simple. What is the better format to burn on. Especially if I am going to make home movies to send to out of state family members. I have read pros and cons for both, but no definite answer on which one I should use. Your personal and professional advice is requested.
A: Hi Eric, this is the age old question that everyone would like to know. The truth is, both formats are widely used and produce the same quality. However, in my own experience I would have to say that DVD-R has the edge. There seems to be slightly more support for them, and there are a wider variety of discs available.
--Andrew Lock

Q: Hi Andrew, I plan to start using the new dual layer dvd-r discs when they are available from Edgewise. Can you tell me if you can copy them on a multi disc duplicator the same as I do now with the regular dvd-rs?, or do I need to contact the company that made the duplicator?
A: Hi John. As for whether your tower duplicator will record them, it depends on what drives your tower uses. If you purchased it new within the last year, then almost certainly it does. You can call the manufacturer of the unit, or look up the model number of one of the drives online to confirm the specifications.
--Andrew Lock

Q: Hi Andrew, I've recently run into D_Skins. Do you know anything about them? This seems like it might be a good way to increase the life span of our DVD's for our clients. B ut will they allow the disc to play every time without causing problems for our clients which in turn has them calling us asking why their DVD's won't play. There are already enough problems with compatibility without adding another one. But the D_Skin sure seems like a good idea.
A: Hi Steve, certainly this is an interesting product. I have not tried them personally but I have heard conflicting reports from users - some people say they are great and others say they cause their discs not to work. An important point to keep in mind is that this kind of sleeve can't fix any existing errors on a disc, they are ONLY designed to protect a disc from future damage. Obviously, the D-Skin itself can still be damaged because it is so thin, and if it gets scratched you would need to replace it, but at least the actual disc would suffer less harm in that situation. You can buy them in small packs of 5, so you might want to try them out for awhile before using them on your clients discs. The only other problem I have heard of is when using the D-skin on a disc that will be used in a drive that has a thin slot rather than a slide out tray. Apparently, the extra thickness around the edge of the disc can cause the disc to be a tight fit in the slot.
--Andrew Lock