Difference between "FORMAT" & "ERASE"

[FlightDeck]

Can someone enlighten me on this?

Thanks

[2Dogs]

My understanding is that formatting overwrites the whole disk, whilst erasing just overwrites the header, hence it's much quicker.

[CowboySlim]

My understanding is that formatting overwrites the whole disk, whilst erasing just overwrites the header, hence it's much quicker.

Not exactly.
They are related to two entirely different methods of writing.
Erasing is related to that type known as premastering such as performed by Nero.
Formatting is related to the method known as packet writing which is referred to as "drag and drop" (like on a floppy) and performed on CD-RW media by InCD.

[2Dogs]

Ah, OK, that makes sense. I was probably thinking of the difference between a quick and a full erase.

Could it be then that if the disk was formatted for DLA writing that it would then be unrecognisable to Nero for the premastering type burn?

I don't generally use any packet writing software, since it seems to interfere with some video editing programs.

[Ian]

Could it be then that if the disk was formatted for DLA writing that it would then be unrecognisable to Nero for the premastering type burn?

Nero should still recognize the disc. However, it will prompt you to erase it first as there is already a filesystem (in this case UDF) on it.

[CowboySlim]

Yes, to what Ian said.

Hey, 2Dogs, check my avatar over here, post #2!

Roger that?