Benq DL DW830A User Manual

FAQ: Book Type Management

FAQ: Book Type Management Tool

Q1 What is “book type”?
A1 It is a format spe cification that describes the disc categor y of DVD media. This specification

information, comprised of 4 bits, is stored in the lead-in sectio n of ever y DVD disc. With this
information, a DVD+RW disc can be recorded as DVD+RW or DVD-ROM type; likewise, a
DVD+R disc can be recorded as DVD+R or DVD-ROM type. When a DVD player or
DVD-ROM drive loads a DVD disc, it queries this information field to determine which format
specification the loaded media is configured to (DVD+RW, DVD+R, or DVD-ROM).

Q2 Why do I ha ve to change the book type?
A2 In the majority of cases, you will not need to change the book type of your DVD media, as most

DVD players and DVD-ROM drives have no problem reading recordable DVD media.
However, some players (especially older model s) cannot recognize discs that are characterized as
DVD+RW/-RW or DVD+R/-R book type s. In these instances, this compatibility issue can be
easily resolved by changing the book type of the DVD media being written to DVD-ROM. The
capability to modify the book type in DW series drives greatly enhances reading compatibility
between DVD media and DVD players/drives.

Q3 How do I check and change the current writing book type of the BenQ DVD rewriter drive?
A3 Step 1: Launch the Book Type Management tool

Step 2: Cli ck the “Check Drive” button to see the current writing book type of the drive

" As shown in the following picture, the drive’s current setting is configured to write

DVD+R W media as +RW book type, and DVD+R media as +R book type.

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Step 3: Click the “Set to DVD-ROM Type” buttons to change the drive’s current writing book

type for DVD+R/+RW media to become DVD-ROM book type.

" As shown in the following picture, the drive’s current setting for writing to DVD+RW

media has now been changed to DVD-ROM type.

FAQ: Book Type Management

Q4 How do I check and change the current book type of a DVD disc?
A4 Step 1: Launch the Book Type Management tool

Step 2: Inser t a previously recorded DVD+R/+RW disc into the BenQ DVD rew riter,

then click the “Check Medi a” button to see the current book type of this media.

" For the following example , the pre-recorded DVD+RW disc is written as “DVD+RW”

type.

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FAQ: Book Type Management

Step 3: Click the “Set to DVD-ROM Type” button to change the book type of the

DVD+RW media from DVD+RW to DVD-ROM book type.

" The book type of the DVD+RW media is now changed to “DVD-ROM” type.

" The DVD drive will perform tray-out after step 3; this is a normal operation.

Q5 Can I change the book type of a previously recorded DVD+R disc?
A5 No. Since DVD+R discs are write-once only, it is not possible to change the book type of a

DVD+R dis c a fte r it ha s be en record ed . The refo re c are mu st be take n, pr ior to record in g, to se t
the writing book type of the drive (for DVD+R discs) to the desired format.

Q6 Is there any limit for changing the book type of DVD+RW discs?
A6 No. The book type of DVD+RW media can be changed an infinite number of times.

Q7 Can I use the Book Type Management tool with DVD-R/RW media?
A7 No, Book Type Management applies to DVD+R/RW discs ONLY. Due to the difference in

physical structure between PLUS and MINUS media, it is NOT possible to change the book type
of a DVD-R/RW disc. In other words, DVD-R discs will always be recorded and recognized as
DVD-R format; similarly, DVD-RW discs will always be recorded and recognized as DVD-RW
format.

Q8 Can I change the writing book type of non-BenQ DVD (DW series) writers using this tool?
A8 No, this tool is designed exclusively for BENQ (DW series) DVD writers. It will not work on

other DVD d rives.

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