Data CD Sizing

Data CDs are also noted as being 74 minutes or 80 minutes in length. They can store approximately 650MB and 700MB respectively.

You may overburn a CD, that is write more than it's rated capacity, but you seldom exceed 10 or 20MB.

ISO or UDF Filesystem

Express Burn can write data disc using the ISO+Joliet filesystem, Hybrid filesystem or the UDF filesystem. You can change file systems using a button on the top right under the toolbar.

A filesystem is the way the files and folders are saved on the disc. Each have certain limitations and compatibilities. For maximum support to the oldest systems use the Hybrid filesystem, which records both the older ISO filesystem and the more modern UDF. All modern computers and operating systems support the UDF filesystem and in some cases (DVD and Blu-ray Video) require it.

Data CD Limitations (ISO)

Express Burn writes an ISO compliant Mode 1 CD with Joliet extensions. This means there are several limitation on file naming and folder depth.

~disc volume label can only be 16 characters.

~Maximum filename is 62 characters (including the extension of normally 3 characters). If your filename exceeds this length it will be automatically truncated.

~You may have no more than 8 levels of folders. This means you can have a folder in a folder in a folder... only to 8 levels.

~You may have two files of the same name in a folder (e.g. source files c:sound.wav and d:sound.wav) but the second one to be added will be automatically renamed with a numeric suffix.

~A single file cannot exceed 4 GB in size.

Data CD Limitations (UDF)

Express Burn writes a UDF revision 1.02 discs. This means there are several limitation on file naming and folder depth.

~disc volume label can only be 16 characters.

~Maximum filename is 255 characters (including the extension of normally 3 characters). If your filename exceeds this length it will be automatically truncated.

~You may have two files of the same name in a folder (e.g. source files c:sound.wav and d:sound.wav) but the second one to be added will be automatically renamed with a numeric suffix.

Data CD Limitations (Hybrid)

For most operating systems the limitations are as for UDF. For older systems (DOS, Windows 3.11) this limitation will be as for ISO above. Filenames will be adjusted for each filesystem, so on the old systems you will see truncated 62 character filenames by on systems that support UDF you will still see the full 255 character filename.