NAME¶

mmc_format — format optical media

SYNOPSIS¶

DESCRIPTION¶

The mmc_format utility formats optical media conforming to the MMC standard. This includes CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray (BD) media.

The options are as follows:

-B

Blank media when possible before formatting it.

-b blockingnr

Explicitly select packet size in sectors (for CD-RW only). It is not recommended to change this from its default of 32.

-c cert-num

Certify media for DVD-RAM / DV-RE. The argument cert-num specifies:

0

no certification

1

full certification

2

quick certification

-D

Debug mode. Print all SCSI/ATAPI command errors.

-F

Format media.

-G

Grow last CD-RW/DVD-RW session.

-H

Show help and print formatting choices for the inserted media.

-h

Show help and print formatting choices for the inserted media.

-I

Show help and print formatting choices for the inserted media.

-M

Select MRW (Mount Rainier) error correcting background format.

-O

Old style CD-RW formatting; recommended for CD-RW.

-p

Explicitly set packet format.

-R

Restart previously stopped MCD-MRW or DVD+RW background format.

-r

Recompile defect list for DVD-RAM.

-S

Grow spare space DVD-RAM / BD-RE.

-s

Format DVD+MRW / BD-RE with extra spare space.

-w

Wait until completion of background format.

NOTES¶

Due to the enormous varieties in optical media, mmc_format is made as generic as possible. This can result in confusion.

EXAMPLES¶

Blanks and then formats a CD-RW disc using the “old style” format command. It is recommended to use this “old style” command unless your drive reports that it's not supported; in that case, resort to the default -F. Note that a CD-RW disc can be reformatted without being blanked. Blanking switches between sequential and fixed packet writing by erasing the disc. This can also help to revive old discs.

Format a CD-RW or a DVD+RW to use MRW (Mount Rainier). This format tries to hide media flaws as much as possible by relocation.

SEE ALSO¶

scsictl(8)

HISTORY¶

The mmc_format command first appeared in NetBSD 5.0.

AUTHORS¶

Reinoud Zandijk <reinoud@NetBSD.org>

BUGS¶

mmc_format could be merged with scsictl(8) but that tool is very hard disk oriented.