NAME

       mmc_format — format optical media

SYNOPSIS

       mmc_format [-BDFGHhIMOpRrSsw] [-b blockingnr] [-c cert-num] special

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

             mmc_format -B -O /dev/rcd0d

       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.

             mmc_format -F -M /dev/rcd0d

       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.

Debian                                             May 9, 2008                                      MMCFORMAT(8)