Finalize

The finalization of an optical data storage medium (the term most often refers to a DVD-R ) is the process in which additional information, such as the DVD menu or the file system are written to an optical data storage, to make it to systems other than the recording system playable .

A medium that has been finalized and cannot be rewritten can no longer be written to. It is the final step in DVD authoring .

The term is alternatively used for the finalization of a CD-R , in which, for example, the Table of Contents is written to make the CD readable by the computer. As with DVD finalization, a completed CD cannot be written any further.

Some recording formats such as DVD + RW do not require finalization in order to be played.