DVD-RAM formatting & usage issues

[WaiWai]

DVD-RAM formatting & usage issues

Hi.
I'm using LiteOn SHM-165P6S.
I have purchased a Maxell 5X 4.7GB DVD-RAM.
I have problems about how to burn this disc.

1)

a)
I realised there're at least 3 formats I could format my disc, ie UDF 1.5, UDF 2.0 & FAT32. Does anyone know what're their differences, pros & cons (or do you know any article which discuss about this)?

As far as I know, it seems UDF is superior to FAT32.
I see no real benefits about FAT32 unless you are lazy. Speed improvement in UDF, support over a 2GB file. What's the point of getting FAT32? I must have missed something.
And how about UDF 1.5 and 2.0? Common sense should say 2.0 is better than 1.5, but is it true in fact? I just know UDF 2.0 is for videos. but does it mean UDF 2.0 is just for videos, nothing more? Or UDF 2.0 is for everything, especially videos?

Anyway, which one should I choose?

b)
What do I need to install, in order to format my disc in UDF format?

I realise there's a Panasonic driver which can format UDF.
But does anyone if I can install it for my LiteOn SHM-165P6S? If so, where can I get this driver?

Apart from the above method, is there any other alternative I can consider?

2)
OK, after I've formatted my disc, do I simply drag and drop to burn, or else?

3)
Is it okay to utilize all the 4.7GB space?
Or should I need to keep some free space for some reasons?
If so, why?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Bozo Galora]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Disk_Format
UDF vers. by O/S:
Native OS Support

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
AIX 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 (Read+write)
Windows 98/Me (Read) 1.02
Windows 2000 (Read) 1.02,1.50
Windows XP/2003 (Read) 1.02,1.50,2.0x
Windows Vista (Read+write) 1.02,1.50,2.0x,2.50
Mac OS 9 (Read+write) 1.02,1.50 (write only supported on DVD-RAM media)
Mac OS X 10.4 (Read+write) 1.02, 1.50
Linux 2.4.X (Read) 1.02,1.50
Linux 2.6.X (Read+write) 1.02,1.50,2.0x,2.50,2.60 (write supported on HDD, DVD-RAM, DVD+RW and CD-RW from 2.6.10 onward, earlier versions support less media)
FreeBSD 5.X (Read) 1.02,1.50,2.0x
FreeBSD 6.X (Read) 1.02,1.50,2.0x,2.50
FreeBSD 7.X (Read) 1.02,1.50,2.0x,2.50,2.60
NetBSD 4.0 (Read) 1.02,1.50,2.0x,2.50,2.60
OpenBSD 3.8 (Read) 1.02,1.50,2.0x,2.50,2.60
Solaris 7 11/99+ (Read) 1.02,1.50
Solaris 8,9,10 (Read+Write) 1.02,1.50. Write supported "on RAM media" [udfs(7FS) man page: Solaris 9]; works on HDD partition and DVD-RAM (with suitable DVD writer).

=============
Must read UDF - FAT 32 discussions>

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=100491
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=137043

------------------------
Basically use XP PRO SP2 with ALL updates, use LATEST Nero InCD - supports up to UDF 2.6 - no driver needed, formats UDF and FAT 32

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, To try to simplify: You only need to format if you are going to use the disk for INCD (Nero), DirectCD or Drag to Disk (Same but Roxio/Adaptec). That is exactly like a big floppy disk in your burner. For Disk Copy and similar you do not format first. Formating is automatic. Luck, Jim

 

[Auric]

You're right, there is no point in FAT32. Each version of UDF adds more features so the later the better in so far as native compatability is required across systems. This Matsushita driver should install. It is reliable but limited to 2.00 which is just as well if reading from other XP installations without a third-party driver is preferred (and perhaps compatability with PVR's). If the more robust metadata partition feature of 2.50 and later is desired (or indeed HD-DVD and BD support) then Ahead's InCD is available with any Nero Burning ROM license. But whether the software itself is as reliable or negates the potential advantage is another question. After formatting, drag and drop is an option but not necessary. Just put aside the fact that any "burning" is going on at all and manipulate files just like the disc is another HDD. All the space can be utilized. Write-protecting the disc is an option... not sure whether write-verify will be (Hitachi drives do not allow disabling) if you want to live fast and wreckless

 

[WaiWai]

Originally posted by: Auric
You're right, there is no point in FAT32. Each version of UDF adds more features so the later the better in so far as native compatability is required across systems. This Matsushita driver should install. It is reliable but limited to 2.00 which is just as well if reading from other XP installations without a third-party driver is preferred (and perhaps compatability with PVR's).

Sorry, what's PVR in full?

If the more robust metadata partition feature of 2.50 and later is desired (or indeed HD-DVD and BD support) then Ahead's InCD is available with any Nero Burning ROM license. But whether the software itself is as reliable or negates the potential advantage is another question.

Metadata partition feature?
I have no idea what it's used for.

But that's the important question we should concern.
If the software is unstable, that may cause us many troubles.

I realised InCD caused some instability problems in the past. Eg: I once tried to use InCD to burn CD-RW. However I couldn't even read it just after the successful burn. I tried to read in the same burner in vain.

I wonder if similar things might occur to DVD-RAM.
Not sure if InCD has imporved greatly now.
I need the application to be reliable. I don't wish risking the safety of my data.

Any opinion?

After formatting, drag and drop is an option but not necessary. Just put aside the fact that any "burning" is going on at all and manipulate files just like the disc is another HDD. All the space can be utilized. Write-protecting the disc is an option... not sure whether write-verify will be (Hitachi drives do not allow disabling) if you want to live fast and wreckless

I'm not sure, but it seems we should leave some rooms for the sake of disc health.

The reason why I ask is because I was told similar things when burning CD/DVD since "leaving room" is supposed to reduce errors and disc failure.

Like we don't use up (nearly) all space for the hard disk (s this would causes more fragmentation, errors, bugs).

Any opinion?

 

[13Gigatons]

To bad they can't formatted with NTFS.

 

[WaiWai]

Originally posted by: 13Gigatons
To bad they can't formatted with NTFS.

Complain to MS. ;P

 

[Auric]

PVR = Personal Video Recorder, as in a set-top device with a DVD recorder with DVD-RAM capability. DVD-RAM can be played while recording so is the preferred disc format.

Metadata Partition duplicates indexing for faster read and redundancy.

Most of the past problems with CD were due to software packet writing. The Mount Rainier (MRW) hardware-based standard with the UDF eliminated that.

DVD-RAM was purpose designed from the start so has no such issues. But I suppose just as with any other storage, the driver must be reliable.

Matsushita's driver must be reliable so as to support their own hardware sales, which differs from Ahead's position providing a free add-on to their main software product which also by nature is more complex since it must also support a variety of software packet writing as well as MRW for the various disc formats. I'll be happy as a pig in poop if/when Matsushita's driver supports the latest UDF.

I don't see any reason to leave room. The redundancy does not depend upon or adjust according to free space but is part of the standard's write strategy.