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August 6th, 2011 11:00
DVD-RAM using and formatting questions
Hello, my Precision M6400 (OS: WinXP) came with a DVD-RAM drive. How do I format DVD-RAMs to UDF 2.00 or 2.01?
First, some background information why this question came up...
The Panasonic DVD-RAM Discs (3X speed) I purchased show their filesystem being UDF 2.00 (right-click in Windows Explorer - Properties).
However, I did burn a DATA DISC using the Roxio Creator software that came with the system, which first required to erase the disk. The resulting disk is readable on my system, but shows however the filesystem being UDF 1.02!
So probably I made a mistake by using Roxio to burn the disk in the first place?!? At least I got that impression after googleing why the brand-new disk had to be erased first.
Therefore, I wonder now:
- how to format a DVD-RAM properly, and how to choose the filesystem version (UDF 1.0, UDF 1.5, UDF 2.0, UDF 2.5, etc.)
- how to write data to a DVD-RAM properly, i. e. keeping the benefits of the UDF file system
- how to install any additional driver(s) and/or other software if necessary or recommended (and where to get that)
I also run Ubuntu Linux on a 2nd partition on that system, therefore I am able to use that system for creating DVD-RAMs if that should be easier there.
Any help is being greatly appreciated!
p_dot
osprey4
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August 6th, 2011 14:00
Hi p_dot,
Can you provide the model of the drive?
DVD-RAM is not a popular technology owing to the wider and cheaper availability of DVD+R and DVD-R discs. Using XP, you need a third-party packet-writing program to use UDF, such as Sonic DLA. However, packet-writing programs bring their own set of complications when writing other disc types. Despite these drawbacks, DVD-RAM has some advantages over conventional DVD media.
p_dot
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August 6th, 2011 16:00
Hi osprey4,
according to the Device Manager, the drive is an HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GS20N, and I guess the manufacturer is LG.
The reason why I want to use DVD-RAM media are just those advantages you mentioned, i. e. for long lasting archiving purposes (data integrity and damage protection for example). The hardware seems to be able to handle the media, since it could write a DVD-RAM disc using the Roxio software that came with my PC, and read that disc afterwards. However, the filesystem was the (outdated) UDF 1.02
p_dot
osprey4
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August 7th, 2011 07:00
For the purpose of compatibility, UDF 1.02 is the best choice. For data backup, there are no compelling reasons to use newer versions. But if you prefer to use a newer version, I believe Toast, InCD (Nero), and some others support it. You'll want to do a bit of homework before you buy.
p_dot
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August 7th, 2011 11:00
Hello osprey4,
well this is exactly why I am posting in this forum, I was hoping somebody already has experiences and recommendations about which way to go regarding DVD-RAM on a Dell system like mine, and is willing to share those experiences with me. I do understand that DVD-RAM is kind of exotic since not many people seem to use those kind of discs.
Are you trying to tell me that my system has not been shipped with all the tools required to use UDF 2.00 (otherwise there would be an option to format those discs with either of the available UDF filesystem versions)? Or, is it just me missing some (well-hidden?) software and/or drivers on my system?
p_dot
osprey4
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August 7th, 2011 15:00
XP does not support native UDF writing so you must use a third party program. And it appears your version of Roxio Drag-to-disc only supports 1.2. So if you want to write to a newer version, you'll need something else. But XP cannot read versions newer than 2.0, so just make sure you get something that supports 1.2, 1.5 and 2.0.