DVD Burning
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Writing (or "burning") DVDs requires a different approach than burning CDs. DVDs offer much higher capacities, and the standard CD writing tools will not suffice.
This HOWTO covers a narrow scope for now: writing data onto DVDs using the command line.
Contents
Required packages
- You still need the standard CD writing tools known as Template:Package AUR (which can be replaced by Template:Package Official, if desired).
- You also need the new DVD writing tools known as dvd+rw-tools, found in the [extra] repository.
Procedure
This HOWTO will use the command Template:Codeline from the dvd+rw-tools package. If you've ever written CDs from the command line before, you'll know the process of first creating an iso9660 file (Template:Codeline), and then burning it to CD (Template:Codeline). Template:Codeline merges these steps, so you don't need extra storage space for the ISO file anymore. Another advantage is that multisession writing has been simplified.
Overview
Essentially, writing a new DVD follows this procedure:
$ growisofs -Z /dev/cdrw -r -J /path/to/files
where Template:Filename is your DVD writer device.
To continue a DVD (write an additional session) you use:
$ growisofs -M /dev/cdrw -r -J /path/to/files
To burn an ISO image to disc use:
$ growisofs -Z /dev/cdrw=/path/to/iso
To create a video dvd use the following (NOTE: rather than using /dev/srN directly, consider /dev/dvdN or even just plain /dev/dvd):
$ growisofs -Z /dev/sr0 -dvd-video /path/to/video
- Template:Codeline
- start at the beginning of the DVD using the following device
- Template:Codeline
- start after the last session on the disc using the following device
- Template:Codeline
- Rock Ridge support with sane permission settings (recommended, extended UNIX info)
- Template:Codeline
- Joliet support (recommended, extended info for Windows NT and Windows 95)
Example
Although the above might suffice for you, some users require extra settings to successfully write DVDs.
A simple DVD writing template:
$ growisofs -Z /dev/cdrw -v -l -dry-run -iso-level 3 -R -J -speed=2 -joliet-long -graft-points /files/=/path/to/files/
- Template:Codeline
- as seen above, this starts a new DVD; to continue a multisession DVD, use Template:Codeline
- Template:Codeline
- increase verbosity level (more output)
- Template:Codeline
- breaks DOS compatibility but allows for longer filenames
- Template:Codeline
- simulate writing (remove this flag if you are sure that everything is set up correctly)
- Template:Codeline
- defines how strict you want to adhere to the iso9660 standard (Template:Codeline is very strict while Template:Codeline is very loose)
- Template:Codeline
- see above
- Template:Codeline
- see above
- Template:Codeline
- start burning at 2X speed
- Template:Codeline
- allows longer Joliet file names
The final part needs more explanation:
-graft-points /files/=/path/to/files/
This specifies that files will be stored in the subdirectory Template:Filename rather than the DVD root. See the Template:Codeline manual for details.
Re-writable DVDs
The process for burning re-writable discs is almost the same as for normal DVDs. However, keep in mind that virgin DVD+RW media needs to be initially formatted ("blanked") prior to usage. Blanking can be done using the program Template:Codeline like this:
$ dvd+rw-format /dev/cdrw
where Template:Filename is your DVD writer device.
Troubleshooting
Permission denied
If you encounter the a permission error, ensure you are a member of the group "optical":
# usermod -aG optical username
after which you will have to logoff and -on.