CD-RW

(CD-ReWritable) The only rewritable CD technology. CD-RW disks look like other CD media, but with close inspection, they have a more polished surface with a very dark blue-gray cast. Similar to a hard disk, files can be added and deleted, and the media must be formatted before use. However, unlike a hard disk platter, which can be rewritten millions of times, CD-RWs have a maximum limit of 1,000 rewrites.

In practice, the term "CD" refers to all CD formats. The phrase "rewrite the data on the CD" really means "rewrite the data on the CD-RW."

CD-RW Drives Support All CD Formats
The CD-RW is the most versatile CD drive, and most new CD drives are actually CD-RWs. Not only can a CD-RW drive read all CD formats and write CD-RWs, it can be used to burn "write once" CD-R media. CD-RW uses phase change technology to alter the reflectivity of the disk surface, but this reflectivity is lower than other CD formats, and older CD-ROM drives that lack MultiRead capability cannot read them. For detailed speed ratings of CD-RW drives, see CD-ROM drives. See Mount Rainier, phase change disk, UDF, DVD and optical disc.

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CD-RW - Compact Disc Rewritable