R11 Series Drive Command Reference Manual Version 1.00
4.3 FORMAT UNIT Command
The CmpLst bit is supported only in DVD-RAM media, must be set to zero with other medias.
The Interleave Value field is not supported and must be set to zero.
The Format Code field allows the value of 001b and 111b. If Format Code field is set to 001b and a CD-
RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM media is mounted, the drive conforms for the definition of SFFC INF-8090i. If
Format Code is set to 001b and a +RW media is mounted, the drive conform for the definition of MMC-5.
If Format Code is set to 111b and CD-RW media is mounted, the drive conforms for legacy specifications
which is described in the definition of MMC-5.
The drive supports following Format Type for each media.
Table 4 - Format Code = 001b
Format
Type
Name
Support for
CD-RW
media
Support for
DVD-RW
media
Support for
DVD-RAM
media
Support for
+RW media
00h Full
Format
yes
yes
yes
-
01h
Spare Area Expansion
-
-
yes
-
10h
C/DVD-RW Full Format
yes
yes
-
-
11h
C/DVD-RW Grow
Session/Border
no no -
-
12h
C/DVD-RW Add Session/Border
no
no
-
-
13h
DVD-RW Quick Grow the last
Border
- yes -
-
14h
DVD-RW Quick Add Border
-
no
-
-
15h DVD-RW
Quick
-
yes
-
-
26h
DVD+RW Basic Format
-
-
-
yes
Table 5 - Format Code = 111b (CD-RW only)
Sess bit Grow bit
Support for CD-RW
media
0 0
Yes
0 1
No
1 0
No
1 1
No
The Format Unit parameter list shall be transferred from the Host to the drive. The data sent to the drive
consists of a Format List Header, followed by one Format descriptor, so the parameter list length is
always 12 bytes. When the Format Options Valid (FOV) bit in the Format List Header is set to one, the
DPRY, DCRT, STPF, IP, Try-out, and VS shall be set to zero. In this case, the format operation is
performed with an Immed function specified by the Immed bit. When the FOV bit is set to zero, the DPRY,
DCRT, STPF, IP, Try-out, Immed, and VS shall be set to zero. In this case, the format operation is
performed with the drive’s internal default setting. The default setting of Immed function is one. Even if
the format operation is requested with the FOV bit set to one, the drive’s default setting itself will not be
changed.
4.3.1 Format Code = 001b
4.3.1.1 Format Type = 00h (Full Format)
Formatting for the entire media is specified. The Number of Blocks field specifies the number of
addressable blocks for the entire disc and the Type Dependent Parameter field specifies the Block Length.
If the Immed function is set to zero, the drive will return the status after the format operation has
completed. If the Immed bit is set to one, the drive will return the status as soon as the command
descriptor block has been validated, and the entire Format Descriptor has been transferred.
The READ DISC INFORMATION Command, the READ TRACK/RZONE INFORMATION Command and the
TEST UNIT READY Command is used to detect completion of the format operation. While format operation
is performed by the FORMAT UNIT Command that the Immed function is set to one, the drive terminates
these commands with the Check Condition status, LOGICAL UNIT NOT READY, FORMAT IN PROGRESS
(2/04/04). If the drive returns Good status for these command, format operation has completed.
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