Helpful Technical Information, File System Formats

LaCie d2 DVD±RW Drive		Helpful Technical Information
User Manual		page 23

4. Helpful Technical Information

4.1. File System Formats

When writing DVD±R/RW and CD-R/RW discs, you will have the option to assign the disc a particular file format (the way in which a computer names and or- ganizes files for storage and to manage data exchange). There are essentially three file system formats to be con- cerned with when using a LaCie DVD/CD Drive:

❖Universal Disk Format (UDF)

❖ISO 9660

❖Mac OS Extended (also known as HFS+)

UDF - This specification, developed by Optical Storage Technologies Association, is the predominant file system that allows compatibility across various Blu- ray, DVD and CD applications, hardware platforms and computer operating systems.

ISO 9660 - This is the standard file system which allows media to be read on a Mac, PC or other ma- jor computer platform. Published by the International

Organization of Standardization, this standard defines a file system for DVD-ROM and CDs. It supports Microsoft Windows, Mac OS and operating systems that follow the Unix specification, but doesn’t support custom features of Mac file systems such as long file names or icon options. Microsoft created an extension to the format, called Joliet, which allows for Unicode file character names and file names up to 64 characters in length (twice as many as the ISO 9660 Level 2 and 3 specifications).

Mac OS Extended - Also known as HFS+, this is the file system used by Macintosh. If you will be using your disc only on Macs, this is the preferred file format.

Hybrid discs (Mac & PC) - Mac users can also choose to create hybrid discs which contain two par- titions: one to be viewed by Mac users, one by Win- dows users. Toast 7 Titanium does allow this file system choice.