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Formatting DVD+RW

ixelion

ixelion

Senior member
Is there anyway I can format a DVD+RW so I can use it to delete and add individual files? I know with Multi-session I can add files to a DVD+RW but I cannot delete individual files, I would have to format the disc and recopy only the files I need, which is kind of inconvienient.

Thanks
 
You need to use it with packet writing/Mt. Rainier drivers. I think XP can do it natively once the disk is formatted, but it may actually need a packet-writer driver loaded. I haven't bothered with it myself so I don't know exactly how you need to go about doing it, but that's what you need. That makes it function just like any other writable removable drive in Explorer rather than having to run a disc burning app each time you want to save a file to it.
 
Additional third-party software is required such as Ahead InCD (included with Nero) or Sonic/Veritas/Roxio DLA (available from various manufacturers such as Dell, IBM and HP). However, I strongly recommend against using them if the drive lacks Mount Rainier (+MRW) capability for hardware defect management. A few ways to know: presence of EasyWrite logo, Nero InfoTool, or RTFM 😉

In lieu of +MRW, or for the best reliability use DVD-RAM instead. If the drive is not capable then new ones are dirt cheap these days.
 
Cool ok thanks for the help, another question would be If i were to use packet writing to copy some .avi files on a DVD+RW, would my Divx/DVD Player be able to read them?
 
Yes, there shouldn't be any issue there. Such discs should function just as a slow hard drive as far as file management is concerned. Also, format to the highest revision of UDF such that it will be compatible on all systems you want to read it on.
 
Only computer drives can recognize "Big Floppy" formatted RW disks. Consumer players require you to burn them just like regular (write-once) CDs or DVDs. Burn all at once, erase all at once. "Big Floppy and Mt.R" are just for computers. FYI: InCD requires a separate formatting step - if I'm not mistaken Roxio can do "on the fly" (format while writing) formatting on DVD-RWs just as it can on CD-RWs.

.bh.
 
I've used packet writing for a long time. Very handy. I'm not familiar with Ahead's implementation as I've always used Adaptec/Roxio's version. It writes a small session to the disc containing an autorun.inf and an installer for a driver that lets other PCs read the rest of the disc, which is nice.
 
Sorry, I misconstrued "Divx/DVD Player" thinking of software instead of a "set-top" player. It prolly shan't work in that case. Therein another advantage of DVD-RAM for such consumer players/recorders that support it.

Yeah, InCD also does the UDF reader schtick. If I recall, the on-the-fly format is optional but its been a long time since I've used InCD and even longer Adaptec DirectCD (which was totally unreliable before +MRW was introduced).
 
Yeah I ment a set-top player not computer software.

So If I were to use DVD-RAM and copy some .avi files with packet writing will my set-top Divx player be able to read it?

Thanks for all the input guys.
 
Yeah I ment a set-top player not computer software.

So If I were to use DVD-RAM and copy some .avi files with packet writing will my set-top Divx player be able to read it?

Thanks for all the input guys.
 
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