/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. Keyword Description 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.