DVD Format Wars

[shelob]

I'm about to return to the UK after a two year hiatus working in Argentina and i'd really like to know where we stand at the moment on the DVD Format Wars.
I've surfed for days and found all sorts of information about DVD -R/RW and DVDR and DVD +R/RW and my feeble brain is spinning trying to work out which format is likely to win in the long term.
I want to buy a PC with a DVD Burner but they seem to be split 50/50 on the - or + issue.
How are things going in the United States ?
Are we in for another VHS/BetaMax thing where the better marketed format beat the better quality tape ?
Does anybody know of a site where you can find serious analysis of all the formats side by side and their compatibility with stand alone players ?
And can anybody with a crystal ball tell me which format is going to win ?

Sorry for so many questions but i'd really like to know before i splash out $1800 dollars ona complete system.

[nasrules]

ok i dont no too much about it, but from what ive read dvd+r/rw seems to be the way to go. but wait for more responses first loL!

bobhss: aaah the ultimate burning device

PS i would get a nice fast 48x cd burner too unless u wanna burn cds reeeeeeeaaaalllll slow. (unfortunately there is a chance of u being injured by flying plastic tho lol)

[bobhss]

When it comes to DVD burning I keep looking at and wishing I had $350 for Sony's Internal DVD±RW Drive DRU500A. It does all four formats: DVD-R/-RW, DVD+RW/+R so you can't go wrong when either format becomes the standard. As for the other questions I really don't have answers.


Website of Sony:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=raBe0iKf3_Re2ByqM2xU2W2RwNqIOkjbjOQ=?Cat alogCategoryID=gzAKC0%2eNbb0AAADy9_U8ye_U&ProductID=q4sKC0%2eNb0UAAADyr2M8ye_Z&Dept=cpu

[narz]

I got a new CD burner a couple of weeks ago...a 48X24X48 Lite-on-it. It has worked wonders for me, however, there are not 52X burners out now...but i am comfertable with mine for the moment :) . I waz gonna get a DVD burner for the comp but i decided to wait untill the price goes down first, which it will.

[Foreverboard]

Here is a page that will tell you the differences in the formats. the war is still going on and until they decide on a format there is really no way to tell a winner.

DVD R format compare (http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=118)

[shelob]

Well thanks a lot for all your input guys...I appreciate that.

"nasrules"...i lowered my PC Base Unit to ground level when i first read those stories about flying cd rom shrapnel about 6 months ago LOL

"foreverboard"...thanks a lot for that link...you managed to find in 5 minutes what i was looking all day for...very informative.

"bobhss"...i'm with you on the choice of burner..i mean who knows what will happen in the future so it's best to cover all options and get the only burner which supports and burns in all formats(except DVD-ROM) which no-one is going to use anyway.

I read that Sony has upgraded and launched a new version of this burner,now called DRU500AX and it got great reviews...not only is it multi-compatible but it burns at twice the speed of the other DVD Burners.The Price??? 250 pound in the Uk and about $350-400 in the US. Here's the link to the info(it's about the european release but that means that you north americans will already have it).....

http://www.cdrwcentral.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=310