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MMCFORMAT(8)                System Manager's Manual               MMCFORMAT(8)

NAME
     mmcformat - format optical media

SYNOPSIS
     mmcformat [-BDFGHhIMOpRrSsw] [-b blockingnr] [-c cert-num] special

DESCRIPTION
     The mmcformat 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, mmcformat is made as
     generic as possible.  This can result in confusion.

EXAMPLES
           mmcformat -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.

           mmcformat -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 mmcformat command first appeared in NetBSD 5.0.

AUTHORS
     Reinoud Zandijk <reinoud@NetBSD.org>

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

NetBSD 10.99                      May 9, 2008                     NetBSD 10.99