How to Create a Disc Using Fixed Packet Writing

One of the more recent recording methods that GEAR PRO UNIX now supports is incremental packet writing. GEAR supports incremental packet writing with fixed packets on rewritable media (CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM), using UDF formatting up to UDF version 2.01.

Incremental writing, also called packet writing, is a recording method that allows data tracks to be divided up into small chunks called packets, typically 64 Kb - 1 Mb in size. Each packet can then be written separately to the disc, with interruptions if necessary. Each packet uses an additional amount of disc space as overhead in addition to its required amount of disc space. This overhead is typically 15% of the size of the packet itself.

Between the writing of packets, there are virtually no data rate constraints. This means that writing can be interrupted for an unlimited amount of time, which reduces the risk of buffer "under runs" when writing large amounts of data to CD.

• 1. To create a disc using fixed packet writing, open a project using either "New CD-ROM(UDF)" or "New DVD-ROM (UDF)".

• 2. On the "UDF" tab, choose "Fixed Packets" for the Track Method. Be sure to enter a name for your project and select the correct size to match the blank disc being used.

• 3. You can now drag files and/or folders from the computer view into the track view (bottom-right window). Simply click on any folder in the top-left section in order to expand it to show its content on the upper right window. Double-click a folder to show any subdirectories. As you add files and folders to your project, GEAR will show the remaining space available in the bottom-right corner (boxed in red).

• 4. Once all of the files/folders have been added to the project, click the "Close" button. You will not need to manually select a "Write" button since the files are written to disc as soon as they are moved into the track view (bottom-right window).

• 5. Once a disc has been written to using fixed packet writing, you can add content to the disc through the File | Add to Existing FPW Disc menu.

• 6. A new volume is created. You can add content using the procedures described in steps 3 and 4.

• 7. Finished. You have successfully created a disc using fixed packet writing!