How compatible are the DVDs sold by video producers?

[The Last Laugh]

Hello everyone,

Sorry if this post isn't specifically about tickling. If the moderators feel it should be moved to the General Discussion forum, please do so.

This is an issue that I've been wondering about for some time. DVDs are becoming increasingly popular, and a number of adult material producers, including a few tickling ones, have started offering that format. But I was wondering how well such DVDs work in a variety of DVD players.

There's a huge debate as to which is the better format: DVD-R/RW or DVD+R/RW. There seems to be no consensus. Getting info online doesn't help much, as some swear the "minus" format has more staying power, while others are convinced the "plus" format will take its place. Who is right? Who knows which format will win the "DVD war"?

"Better" can mean many things. In this case, it could be the fastest burner, the cheapest one, or the highest compatibility of the burned DVDs. Now, since customers probably don't care much how long it takes to make a DVD or how much vendors spend on their hardware, I guess the main issue is which format is the most compatible. That is, the one that will play in the most different brands and models of DVD players, both DVD drives and regular players for TV.

But the answer really isn't clear at all. I've read plenty of contradictory answers. I know -RW and +RW are less compatible, but that's not really important here, since I assume the DVDs that are sold are either DVD-R or DVD+R. Some say DVD-R may be a little more compatible with older players since it's been around a bit longer, but even then it's hard to say. And even if it's true, how does it perform in more modern (or even future) players compared to DVD+R? I personally have no idea which format is superior in this way.

I've checked a few adults sites offering DVD versions of their videos, but so far I haven't noticed any warnings about compatibility issues (I admit my research has been very limited, and I may just have missed such warnings), and that intrigues me. Does that mean that there aren't any compatibility problems? What format is typically used to produce such DVDs? Do many customers have trouble playing them in their players? Do some vendors offer both formats? How does a customer know which format is best for him/her? It's all very confusing to me.

Personally I have no idea if or when I'll be able to offer DVD versions of my videos. For all I know it may take a long time. It does represent a significant investment, as well as a period of adaptation to a new way of doing things (my technical skills are rather lacking). But I'm kinda curious to learn more about this, to know how DVD vendors deal with compatibility issues, if any. Maybe it will help me make a choice in the future. And since I may be a customer myself, I'd like to know what to expect.

Thank you for any information on this matter.

 

[coolman]

i'm not sure about + and - and the like, but you have to remember that DVDs have different regional formats as well, just like PAL or VHS with videos. that would mean your DVD customer base would be limited, unless you burnt DVDs in different formats, e.g. DVDs that run in america do not necessarily run over here in the UK.

but i would definetly suggest asking TIB, i'm sure he knows a bit and would be willing to share, because you two deal in different markets (online clips vs videos).

good luck anyway!

 

[The Last Laugh]

i'm not sure about + and - and the like, but you have to remember that DVDs have different regional formats as well, just like PAL or VHS with videos. that would mean your DVD customer base would be limited, unless you burnt DVDs in different formats, e.g. DVDs that run in america do not necessarily run over here in the UK.

Hmm, I hadn't thought of that. It does complicate things. Thanks for pointing it out, it's a very useful thing to know.

For now it's a moot point in my case, since I don't have specific plans for producing DVDs. I'd like to one day, but for all I know it might take several months, if I take the plunge at all. I was mainly asking because I find the whole DVD-R vs DVD+R issue very confusing and was curious to know how producers deal with it. I can imagine that it causes minor problems from time to time.

but i would definetly suggest asking TIB, i'm sure he knows a bit and would be willing to share, because you two deal in different markets (online clips vs videos).

And the nature of our respective material is also different. Thanks Coolman, I'll think about it.

 

[dtrell]

as far as i know, NO adult dvds are burned with regional restrictions...it wouldnt make any sense for them....

 

[DutchTickler]

as far as i know, NO adult dvds are burned with regional restrictions...it wouldnt make any sense for them....

I agree. Regional differences are irrelevant.

What is relevant is the PAL/NTSC difference. I think most PAL dvd-players can also play NTSC, but I'm not sure.

And by the way, large vendors don't use either DVD-R or DVD+R, since they don't burn their DVD's.
Smaller vendors who do burn their DVD's tend to use DVD-R i believe.

 

[Haqim]

I doubt you will be using regional coding (you have to pay a lot for the code).

regional coding has little to do with Digital Versatile Disk and more to do with Digital Video Disks (the format the Hollywood & such industry came up with).

You don't need to Region code disks if you don't want to 😉

I agree with DutchTickler your biggest choice is in the PAL/NTSC difference. In this matter I would fully recommend going with NTSC I am from the UK and most DVD players are NTSC compatible, failing that a large number of TV's are NTSC compatible and if a person has none of them you can get a NTSC/pal converter really cheap. So in the UK it NTSC shouldn't matter that much but for the US I believe they can't view PAL the same as their is little demand for such products. (and the US has a much bigger market).

About the DVD -r +R (the main reason of your post 😉 ). I would recommend the DvD -R it seems to be relatively compatible.

don't know it this is any help on the matter
guide on DVD recordable

I have heard from a lot of people that Dvd -r works fine (this is from a range of old and new Dvd players) the only problem came from the PS2.

I don't know if you have looked into the side of software. I have used Ulead's DVD workshop I believe its ok. I know its costly but its easy to use and lets you make a menu system (like professional DVD). you can easily add extra's such as picture stills, model commentary’s etc.

I know this is my first post (hopefully first of many). but if you need any more help (I am not an expert but I am getting into making DVD's myself. plz feel free to e-mail or pm me 🙂 )