/FORMAT[=keyword]
       /NOFORMAT (default)

    Requests that rewritable (RW) media be formatted or reformatted
    prior to use. This qualifier is required for writing to blank
    rewritable media or rewriting rewritable media.

    If the target media cannot be formatted, this command qualifier
    is ignored.

    If not specified, the appropriate keyword is automatically
    selected for the fastest formatting speed available for the
    target recording media.

    Keywords for the /FORMAT Qualifier lists available keywords.

    Table 1-1 Keywords for the /FORMAT Qualifier

    Keyword  Function, Comments

    WAIT     Applies to DVD+RW. The default for the /FORMAT qualifier
             is not to wait for the formatting to complete because
             waiting is usually unnecessary and far slower.

             Selecting WAIT causes the entire format to run
             synchronously to completion before beginning the
             recording operation.

             The default is to:

             o  Operate asynchronously

             o  Perform background formatting

             o  Run both the media format operation and the recording
                operations concurrently

    ERASE    Applies to CD-RW.

             The default for the /FORMAT qualifier is to perform a
             quick erasure because a full erasure is usually both
             unnecessary and far slower.

             Selecting ERASE causes the CD-RW rewritable disk to
             be entirely erased as part of the format operation.
             This erasure is performed and is completed before the
             recording operation begins.

             The default is to perform a quick erasure.