ReadDVD! for Windows

ReadDVD! is the utility needed to access any UDF formatted media.

ReadDVD! provides a complete read-only universal disk format (UDF) file system for use not only with DVD drives but for any drive reading UDF formatted media. With ReadDVD! users can read a UDF formatted disk (BD-R/RE, DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, HDD, MO, etc.) as if it was originally formatted in standard DOS FAT, Mac HSF or ISO 9660 format.

UDF stands for Universal Disk Format and file system. (A file system is the method information on a storage device is organized, written, updated and retrieved). Originally specified for DVD, the UDF format has become the new international format standard for all types of storage devices because it can handle larger and more complicated files, and it helps to ensure that disks can be interchangeable with all types of computer systems, on large storage devices and consumer digital appliances.

There are currently various versions of UDF used in the market:

v1.02 - Basic file system as used by DVD video players (i.e. rental movies)
v1.50 - Support for CD-R and CD-RW media
v2.00 - Support for NT streaming.
v2.01 - Support for RealTime Video Recording Files (ability to copy, read and delete VRO files).
v2.50 - Support for the Metadata Partition facilitating metadata clustering and optional duplication of file system information.
v2.60 - Support for Pseudo OverWrite capability on sequentially recordable BD-R media for consumer recorders.

The problem is that not all Windows and Mac operating systems can always read UDF formatted volumes. For example, Windows NT does not provide support for reading UDF disks at all. Win 98SE, 2000 and ME provide support for v1.02 and limited support for v1.5 (it doesn't handle CD-RW), and doesn't support UDF v2.00, 2.0.1, 2.50 or 2.60 at all. Also, the native Windows UDF reader frequently has difficulty with discs formatted with Roxio's proprietary version of UDF.

ReadDVD! is also designed to recognize video recording formats so you can read and copy files onto your PC from discs that were recorded in your consumer DVD video recorder.

Something you should know....

Each of above types of disks has different physical characteristics including how the optical laser reflects off its surface. Each type of drive is different. You should make sure that your drive is physically compatible with the media inserted and has the correct drivers. Once the drive can physically read the disk, then ReadDVD! can mount the disc.