disk should I get. I am looking at Phillips DVDR3455/37 or Pioneer DVR640HS.
If they both support +RW/+R and -RW/-R, which one should I get. I cannot really find an explaination I can understand in what the difference is between the + and the -. Please remember this is my first recorder. I am still in the VCR age.

Thanks for helping the little old lady :)

In most cases, there are very few differences between +R and -R. It's really personal preference, which if you don't have one, it doesn't matter a ton.

The ONLY exception is that some DVD players, mostly older ones, do not properly play +R discs without the aid of "bitsetting". I don't know if set-top units properly support bit setting. (basically, the recorder can do a trick to make a DVD+R disc look like a normal, storebought DVD. If you have a unit that cannot do this, there is a chance some units will not play your DVD+R disc)

That said, -R is probably more universally compatible without tricks.

As for units, between the two, I'd lean towards a Pioneer. It's probably a much better unit overall (build quality, features, support, etc) than a Philips.

JS thank you for your input. I guess I will go with the -R. I'm leaning towards the Pioneer, but I am in Pahurmp NV, so selection is limited. Walmart is about the only place to purchase in Pahurmp. If I can't find something there I will have to go to Vegas to find one.

Thanks again.

Well the Walmart in Pahrump had the Polaroid DRM2001G so I got it. Maybe if I can figure out how to work it things will be good.

The Polaroid has an extremely long Thread right here on this forum. ; )

yep, already been there, but I will wait until tomorrow to try and hook it up and figure it out.