Media Identification Code

{{for|the similar concept on CD-R and CD-RW media|Absolute Time in Pregroove}}

{{Citations missing|date=August 2008}}

The Media Identification Code (MID) is used on DVD-R, DVD+R and DVD-RAM discs to identify the manufacturer and to assist the DVD burner to select the best write strategy for the inserted media. The technology is inherited from the ATIP code used on CD-R discs.

If the DVD burner recognizes the discs it means that the disc has been tested by the drive manufacturer to achieve the best possible burn using an optimal write strategy. The strategy is stored in the firmware. Writing to a disc with no MID code or a code that is not recognized can result in inaccurate recording and data read-back problems.{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}}

Displaying the MID

The following programs can be used to display the contents of the MID

= With Windows =

  • install [http://www.dvdinfopro.com/ DVDInfoPro] by Nic Wilson (full 14-day trial available without any adverts)
  • install [https://web.archive.org/web/20061004214453/http://dvd.identifier.cdfreaks.com/ DVDIdentifier] by Kris Schoofs (freeware)

= With Linux =

Ubuntu and other Linux systems have dvd+rw-tools installed by default, which provides a command to display the media data:

$ dvd+rw-mediainfo /dev/scd1

INQUIRY: [HL-DT-ST][DVDRAM GSA-4083N][1.00]

GET [CURRENT] CONFIGURATION:

Mounted Media: 14h, DVD-RW Sequential

Media ID: TDK502sakuM3

Current Write Speed: 2.0x1385=2770KB/s

Write Speed #0: 2.0x1385=2770KB/s

GET [CURRENT] PERFORMANCE:

Write Performance: 2.0x1385=2770KB/s@[0 -> 2254431]

Speed Descriptor#0: 02/2254431 R@3.3x1385=4584KB/s W@2.0x1385=2770KB/s

READ DVD STRUCTURE[#10h]:

Media Book Type: 00h, DVD-ROM book [revision 0]

Legacy lead-out at: 2298496*2KB=4707319808

READ DVD STRUCTURE[#0h]:

Media Book Type: 32h, DVD-RW book [revision 2]

Last border-out at: 2045*2KB=4188160

READ DISC INFORMATION:

Disc status: complete

Number of Sessions: 2

State of Last Session: reserved/damaged

Number of Tracks: 1

READ FORMAT CAPACITIES:

formatted: 2254432*2048=4617076736

00h(800): 2297888*2048=4706074624

10h(10): 2297888*2048=4706074624

15h(10): 2297888*2048=4706074624

= With Mac OS X =

drutil status

See also