[5.2] What DVD-ROM formatting tools are available?

• Ahead
  • Nero . DVD formatting software for Windows. Can make disc image files and bootable discs. $70.
• GEAR
  • GEAR Pro DVD . DVD formatting software for Windows 95/98/NT4. Writes to DVD-R, DVD-RAM, jukeboxes, and tape, along with general UDF formatting and CD-R/RW burning features. $700.
• JVC Professional Computer Products
  • DVD RomMaker . DVD formatting systems with RAID hardware. $60,000 to $100,000.
• Philips
  • DVD-ROM Disc Builder . DVD formatting software for Windows NT. Writes to tape. (Seems to be discontinued.)
• Pinnacle
  • InstantCD/DVD . Software tools for recording files to CD-R/W, DVD-RAM and DVD-R/W discs from Windows. Can make a bootable DVD. $50.
  • InstantCopy . CD/DVD copy software for Windows. $30.
• Roxio
  • Toast DVD . DVD formatting software for Mac OS. Writes to DVD-R and tape. Can create DVD-Video discs from VOB and IFO files. $200
• SmartDisk (acquired MTC)
  • ForDVD . DVD formatting software for Windows. Writes to DVD-R and tape. Can create DVD-Video discs from VOB and IFO files. $1200.
• Smart Storage
  • SmartDVD Maker . DVD formatting software for Windows NT. Writes to DVD-R and tape. Can create DVD-Video discs from VOB and IFO files. $2500. (Discontinued as of March 2001.)
• Software Architects
  • WriteDVD Pro and WriteUDF . DVD formatting software for Mac OS and Windows. Writes to DVD-R and DVD-RAM.
• Sonic (acquired Daikin and Veritas DMD)
  • DVD-ROM Formatter . DVD formatting software for Windows NT/2000/XP. Writes to DVD-R and tape. Can create DVD-Video discs from VOB and IFO files.
  • RecordNow and RecordNow MAX Platinum . CD and DVD burning software for music, photos, and video. Windows. $50 and $80.
  • Backup MyPC and Simple Backup . Windows file backup software for recordable DVD and CD.
• Veritas (acquired Prassi)
  Note: Veritas Desktop and Mobile Division was acquired by Sonic in November 2002.
• VOB
  Note: VOB was acquired by Pinnacle Systems in October 2002.
• Young Minds
  • DVD Studio and MakeDisc for DVD . DVD formatting software for Windows NT and Unix. Writes to DVD-R.

• Support for UDF file system, including MicroUDF (UDF 1.02 Appendix 6.9) for DVD-Video and DVD-Audio zones.
• Support for UDF bridge format, which stores both UDF and ISO-9660 file systems on the disc.
• Ability to recognize VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS directories (containing IFO, VOB, and AOB files) and place them contiguously at the physical beginning of the disc for compatibility with DVD-Video players. Placement of directory entries in first UDF file descriptor is also needed for compatibility with certain deficient consumer players.
• Support for long filenames in Windows (Joliet format recommended).
• Full equivalence between UDF and Joliet (ISO-9660) filenames. (Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 98 read Joliet filenames; Mac OS 8.1+, Windows 98, and Windows 2000 read UDF filenames. MS-DOS and Windows 95 and earlier read ISO-9660 filenames. Mac OS 8.0 and earlier read HFS or ISO-9660 filenames.)
• Proper truncation and translation of ISO-9660 filenames to 8.3 format for discs intended for use with MS-DOS and certain other OSes.
• Support for Mac OS file information within the UDF file system (for use with Mac OS 8.1 and later).
• Support for Mac OS HFS file system if icons and other file information is needed for Mac OS versions earlier than 8.1.
• Ability to create a bootable disc using the El Torito specification in the ISO-9660 sectors.