Dvd+rw-tools

== Programs ==

== Programs ==

* '''growisofs''' burns data to DVD or BD media.

* '''growisofs''' [[Optical disc authoring|burns]] data to DVD or BD media.

* '''dvd+rw-mediainfo''' reports about drive and medium status.

* '''dvd+rw-mediainfo''' reports about drive and medium status.

* '''dvd+rw-format''' formats some types of media, blanks DVD-RW media.

* '''dvd+rw-format''' formats some types of media, blanks DVD-RW media.

== growisofs ==

== growisofs ==

growisofs is a [[MultiMedia Commands|SCSI/MMC]] driver in userspace for burning optical media, like [[Cdrtools|cdrecord]] or {{proper name|[[Libburnia|libburn]]}}. Its original purpose is to coordinate burning with a run of [[mkisofs]] or [[genisoimage]] (depending on repository), so that ISO 9660 [[multisession]] writing becomes possible on DVD+RW media, making it possible to add new files to a partially written disc with existing files.<ref name=growisofs-manual>[https://manpages.debian.org/bullseye/growisofs/growisofs.1.en.html growisofs(1) — growisofs — Debian bullseye — Debian Manpages]</ref><ref>[https://man.archlinux.org/man/growisofs.1 growisofs(1) — Arch manual pages]</ref>

growisofs is a [[MultiMedia Commands|SCSI/MMC]] driver in userspace for [[Optical disc authoring|burning optical media]], like [[Cdrtools|cdrecord]] or {{proper name|[[Libburnia|libburn]]}}. Its original purpose is to coordinate burning with a run of [[mkisofs]] or [[genisoimage]] (depending on repository), so that [[ISO 9660]] [[multisession]] writing becomes possible on DVD+RW media, making it possible to add new files to a partially written disc with existing files.<ref name=growisofs-manual>[https://manpages.debian.org/bullseye/growisofs/growisofs.1.en.html growisofs(1) — growisofs — Debian bullseye — Debian Manpages]</ref><ref>[https://man.archlinux.org/man/growisofs.1 growisofs(1) — Arch manual pages]</ref>

Soon after, it supported all kinds of DVD media and later also BD (Blu-ray) media. Further it can burn preformatted data images onto the media, not needing any ISO 9660 formatter program for this task.

Soon after, it supported all kinds of [[DVD recordable|DVD media]] and later also [[Blu-ray Disc recordable|BD (Blu-ray) media]]. Further it can burn preformatted data images onto the media, not needing any ISO 9660 formatter program for this task.

growisofs employs a [[Ring Buffer]] in userspace to smoothen the data transmission to the drive. The fill level of this buffer is reported during a burn run as "RBU", whereas the fill level of the drive's built-in buffer is reported as "UBU".

growisofs employs a [[Ring Buffer]] in userspace to smoothen the data transmission to the drive. The fill level of this buffer is reported during a burn run as "RBU", whereas the fill level of the drive's built-in buffer is reported as "UBU".

growisofs is able to create a UDF 1.02 file system that co-exists with the ISO9660 on the same disc or image, but it can not an create UDF-only disc or image. Additionally, multisessioning (adding new files to a disc with existing files) is only supported for ISO9660 file systems, not UDF.<ref>[http://fy.chalmers.se/~appro/linux/DVD+RW/Blu-ray/ Blu-ray Disc notes for dvd+rw-tools] - "[...] it is possible to burn bridge volume with large files with -udf option, but then multisessioning is out of picture."</ref>

growisofs is able to create a [[Universal Disk Format|UDF 1.02]] file system that co-exists with the ISO9660 on the same disc or image, but it cannot create a UDF-only disc or image. Additionally, multisessioning (adding new files to a disc with existing files) is only supported for ISO9660 file systems, not UDF.<ref>[http://fy.chalmers.se/~appro/linux/DVD+RW/Blu-ray/ Blu-ray Disc notes for dvd+rw-tools] - "[...] it is possible to burn bridge volume with large files with -udf option, but then multisessioning is out of picture."</ref>

Some undocumented options in the program are prefixed with <code>-use-the-force-luke=</code>, which is a [[Star Wars]] reference. Such options are not meant for regular use but for [[power user]]s who "know what they're doing". For example, <code>-use-the-force-luke=spare:none</code> doubles the writing speed on Blu-ray by deactivating the write verification process that ensures written data is readable right after it was written and repeats writing any data found to be unreadable. Deactivating it can be desirable to save time while mass-producing physical copies of data, given that errors are highly unlikely to occur on new blank media from a reputable brand. This option has no effect on DVD writing given that DVDs have no write verification feature.<ref>[http://fy.chalmers.se/~appro/linux/DVD+RW/Blu-ray/ Blu-ray Disc notes for dvd+rw-tools] - "[…]most units will typically record at about 1/2 of the advertised media speed. This is because such units will spend every second revolution verifying the newly recorded data for defects.", "growisofs allows for SRM recordings without spare area through "undocumented" -use-the-force-luke=spare:none option, but it's not recommended[.]"</ref><ref>From the growisofs(1) manual: "There are several undocumented options commonly denoted with -use-the-force-luke prefix. Some of them serve debugging purposes. Some require certain knowledge about recording process or even OS kernel internals and as being such can induce confusing behaviour. Some are to be used in very specific situations better recognized by front-ends or automated scripts. Rationale behind leaving these options undocumented is that those few users who would actually need to use them directly can as well consult the source code or obtain specific instructions elsewhere."</ref>

Some undocumented options in the program are prefixed with <code>-use-the-force-luke=</code>, which is a [[Star Wars]] reference. Such options are not meant for regular use but for [[power user]]s who "know what they're doing". For example, <code>-use-the-force-luke=spare:none</code> doubles the writing speed on Blu-ray by deactivating the write verification process that ensures written data is readable right after it was written and repeats writing any data found to be unreadable. Deactivating it can be desirable to save time while mass-producing physical copies of data, given that errors are highly unlikely to occur on new blank media from a reputable brand. This option has no effect on DVD writing given that DVDs have no write verification feature.<ref>[http://fy.chalmers.se/~appro/linux/DVD+RW/Blu-ray/ Blu-ray Disc notes for dvd+rw-tools] - "[…]most units will typically record at about 1/2 of the advertised media speed. This is because such units will spend every second revolution verifying the newly recorded data for defects.", "growisofs allows for SRM recordings without spare area through "undocumented" -use-the-force-luke=spare:none option, but it's not recommended[.]"</ref><ref>From the growisofs(1) manual: "There are several undocumented options commonly denoted with -use-the-force-luke prefix. Some of them serve debugging purposes. Some require certain knowledge about recording process or even OS kernel internals and as being such can induce confusing behaviour. Some are to be used in very specific situations better recognized by front-ends or automated scripts. Rationale behind leaving these options undocumented is that those few users who would actually need to use them directly can as well consult the source code or obtain specific instructions elsewhere."</ref>