CDRW Discs Show Less Than 650MB

[bka1967]

Hi:

I erased and formatted two 650MB CD-RW discs (one is Imation, other is Memorex). They both show 38KB used space and 503KB free space out of total of 503 free.

Shouldn't I have 650MB free space (or close) after erasing and formatting. How do I get the lost space back.

Help me understand this.

Thanks.

WIN XP, Used Nero INCD to erase and format, CDRW disc file system is INCDFS with MRW disc UDF v1.2

:t

[Rocketmech]

Universal Disk Format (UDF) is a method of writing packets. The initial formatting for packet writing requires significant overhead. The free space leftover afterwards is normal after a disk is formatted, about 511 mb for a 650mb , 572mb for a 700mb disk.

[bka1967]

Thanks for replying!

So how can I use the full capacity of CDRW discs for backing up? I do need to update my CDRW discs with new files at some intervals.

Thanks again.

[Rocketmech]

Not that I know of. When ever you use packet writing or multisession software, you must format the disk, hence overhead. The same applies to formatting any disk , floppy or hard drive. Remember burning to a CD-R , the disk is not formatted as such.
Perhaps using good compression prior to burning will help.