SoundsField recordingsFrequenciesDecibelsInstrumentsGlossaryToolsLearn
  1. Home
  2. Glossary
  3. Recording
  4. CD-RW: Definition & Explanation
Recording

CD-RW

What is CD-RW? A clear definition from the recording section of our glossary, with 14 related terms and further reading.

Definition of CD-RW

CD-RW (Compact Disc-Rewritable) is a digital optical disc storage format introduced by Ricoh in 1997. A CD-RW compact disc (CD-RWs) can be written, read, erased, and re-written.

CD-RWs, as opposed to CDs, require specialized readers that have sensitive laser optics. Consequently, CD-RWs cannot be read in many CD readers built prior to the introduction of CD-RW. CD-ROM drives with a "MultiRead" certification are compatible.

CD-RWs must be erased or blanked before reuse. Erasure methods include full blanking where the entire surface of the disc is erased and fast blanking where only metadata areas, such as PMA, TOC and pregap, are

Terms mentioned above

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

What is CD-RW?

CD-RW (Compact Disc-Rewritable) is a digital optical disc storage format introduced by Ricoh in 1997. A CD-RW compact disc (CD-RWs) can be written, read, erased, and re-written.

Sources & credits