MMCFORMAT(8)						    BSD 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.

BSD
								    May 9, 2008 							       BSD