Live File System and Mastered disc formats

Difference between Live File System and Mastered disc formats

When choosing a disc format, it's helpful to understand what the differences are, so you can pick the right format for the disc you're going to burn. Discs that use the Live File System format are often more convenient because you can copy selected files immediately and as often as you want, just like you can with a USB flash drive. Alternatively, Live File System discs can’t be used in all computers or in a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray Disc player.

Discs formatted with Live File System option:

·         Have this option name in the Burn a Disc dialog box: Like a USB flash drive.

·         Work like a USB flash drive, which means that you can copy files to disc immediately without having to burn them later in a separate step.

·         Give you the option to delete one file, many files, or all files. For more information about erasing files from a disc, see Erase a CD or DVD.

·         Are convenient if you want to keep a disc in your CD, DVD, or Blu-ray Disc burner and copy files whenever the need arises.

·         Are compatible only with Windows XP and later versions of Windows.

·         Aren't blank after they're formatted.

 

Discs formatted with the Mastered option:

·         Have this option name in the Burn a Disc dialog box: With a CD/DVD player.

·         Don’t copy files immediately; you need to assemble the entire collection of files that you want to copy to the disc, and then burn them all at once.

·         Don't give you the option of deleting just one file or a few. All files on the disc will be deleted. For more information about erasing files from a disc, see Erase a CD or DVD.

·         Are convenient if you want to burn a large collection of files, such as a music CD.

·         Are compatible with other computers and consumer electronic devices, such as CD players, DVD players, and Blu-ray Disc players.

Different versions of the Live File System format?

Each version of the Live File System format is compatible with different operating systems. Depending on which computers you plan to use a disc in, you might need to select a different version of Live File System. If you plan to use your disc on a later version of Windows, however, you shouldn't need to change the version of the Live File System you use. If you need to make discs that are compatible with earlier versions of Windows, use the following table to select the right Live File System version for your needs:

The following table describes Live File System versions and their appropriate uses.

LiveFile System version (UDF)	Best for
1.50	This version is compatible with Windows 2000 (and later) and Windows Server 2003 (and later). It might not be compatible with Windows 98 computers.
2.00	This version is compatible with Windows XP (and later) and Windows Server 2003 (and later). It might not be compatible with Windows 98 and Windows 2000 computers.
2.01	This is the default version that's compatible with Windows XP (and later) and Windows Server 2003 (and later). It might not be compatible with Windows 98 and Windows 2000 computers.
2.50	This version is designed for Windows Vista (and later). It might not be compatible with earlier versions of Windows.

For information about formatting a disc, see Format a CD or DVD.