SDB:Burning DVDs with SuSE Linux
Version: 8.0 - 9.0
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Burning DVDs with SuSE Linux
There are currently three formats for recordable DVDs:
DVD-RAM: not widely spread in the private sphere, but very often used in professional environments to store big amounts of data. DVD-RAM is not compatible with other DVD standards. It requires particular drives. Pros: easy media handling and data security. Cons: high price.
DVD-R(W): DVD-R was supported by the first DVD writers. Media can be read with DVD-ROM drives and played by new DVD players (approximately 95% according to the German computer magazine c't).
DVD+R(W): This is the format supported by new DVD writers. In addition, these media are cheaper to manufacture. The DVD consortium has not given this format its blessing yet. DVD+R is a standard from various hardware manufacturers. Media can be read with DVD-ROM drives and played by new DVD players (approximately 92% according to the German computer magazine c't).
Which is the best format and which will last?
It is not possible to answer this question right now. DVD-RAM is surely the best option in some application fields, but it is a bad choice for "normal" users because of its price. For this reason, most writers sold are either DVD + or -. No one can tell which one of these formats will win the race. Thus, buying a writer that supports both formats seems like a good idea. The first models supporting both formats appeared in the market in 2002. In this way, you are always on the safe side concerning the format issue (DVD-+R(W) writers cannot work with DVD-RAM).
The following applies for all types: In the case of IDE DVD writers, the SCSI emulation must be previously activated. See SDB:IDE CD Writer
Burning DVD-R(W)
You can burn DVD-R(W) with the program dvdrtools, included in SuSE Linux 8.1 Prof., or with cdrecord-ProDVD from the cdrecord page.
Please observe the license regulations and copy of the license key of cdrecord-ProDVD: it is currently free of charge for private use.
Its operation is almost identical to that of cdrecord on the command line. First, create an ISO image of the data to record. By default, mkisofs does not write any files bigger than 2GB. Thus, you must enter a special option:
mkisofs -J -v -split-output -o isofile /path_to_files
This generates several 1 GB files, which build an ISO image of the files at /path_to_files.
Write the DVD-R with
dvdrecord -v speed=4 dev=0,0,0 isofile*
Replace the right device (dev=), which can be detected by using
dvdrecord --scanbus
Adjust the top speed and insert further options, like burn-proof (driveropts=burn-proof).
A DVD-RW can be deleted again by entering
dvdrecord -v speed=4 dev=0,0,0 blank=fast
or
dvdrecord -v speed=4 dev=0,0,0 blank=all
Burning DVD+R(W)
Unfortunately, SuSE does not yet include any program to write DVD+R(W). Thus, download the latest version of dvd+rw-tools from the dvd+rw tools
page and compile it.
tar xvzf dvd+rw-tools-*cd dvd+rw-tools-4.1.3.0.3 (the version number can vary!)makemake install
Medium formatting:
dvd+rw-format -f /dev/scd0
formats the RW medium. This is not necessary in the case of R media. The drive can be addressed under the device name /dev/scd0. If you are not sure, use
hwinfo --cdrom
to detect it. Search for your DVD+R(W) drive and check how it is mounted under "Device file".
growisofs -R -J -Z /dev/scd0 /path_to_files
If there is enough disk space available, some additional files can be attached with
growisofs -R -J -M /dev/scd0 /path_to_files
DVD-RAM
DVD-RAM is addressed as an ordinary file system.
To create the file system, enter
mke2fs -b 2048 /dev/scd0
Now the medium can be simply attached to the file system with 'mount' then recorded. Do not forget to remove the medium from the system with umount. Otherwise some data loss might occur. You may use a different file system if you want to read data under other operating systems, too.
Appendix
The following applies for all DVD writers: the firmware must always be updated to avoid potential problems. It is advisable to sometimes visit the manufacturer's support page to search for new firmwares.
Links:
<keyword>dvd,burn,write,record</keyword>