cdrecord

burn data to CD, DVD, and Blu-ray discs

TLDR

Burn an ISO image to CD/DVD

$ cdrecord -v dev=[/dev/sr0] [image.iso]

Burn with specific speed

$ cdrecord -v speed=[16] dev=[/dev/sr0] [image.iso]

Burn audio CD from WAV files

$ cdrecord -v -audio dev=[/dev/sr0] [track1.wav] [track2.wav]

Scan for available devices

$ cdrecord -scanbus

Erase a CD-RW

$ cdrecord -v blank=fast dev=[/dev/sr0]

Burn multi-session disc

$ cdrecord -v -multi dev=[/dev/sr0] [image.iso]

Test burn without writing (simulation)

$ cdrecord -v -dummy dev=[/dev/sr0] [image.iso]

Burn with buffer underrun protection

$ cdrecord -v driveropts=burnfree dev=[/dev/sr0] [image.iso]

SYNOPSIS

cdrecord [options] dev=device [track-options] track...

cdrecord is a command-line tool for burning data to CD, DVD, and Blu-ray discs. It supports various disc formats including CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and dual-layer variants.The tool can write ISO images, audio CDs from WAV files, and multi-session discs. It includes features like burn-free (buffer underrun protection), FIFO buffering, and SCSI/ATAPI device support.Note that on many Linux systems, cdrecord has been replaced or supplemented by wodim from the cdrkit project, which provides compatible functionality.

PARAMETERS

dev= device

Recording device (e.g., /dev/sr0 or SCSI address).

speed= n

Recording speed multiplier.

-v

Verbose output.

-audio

Write audio CD from WAV files.

-data

Write data track (default).

-multi

Enable multi-session recording.

-dummy

Simulation mode, don't actually write.

-eject

Eject disc after recording.

blank= type

Blank a CD-RW (fast, all, session).

-scanbus

Scan for available SCSI devices.

-toc

Show table of contents.

-dao

Write in Disc At Once mode with no gaps between tracks.

-checkdrive

Check drive capabilities.

-immed

Set SCSI IMMED flag for background operation during load/eject/blank.

driveropts= opts

Driver-specific options (e.g., burnfree for buffer underrun protection).

fs= size

FIFO buffer size (default 4 MB).

gracetime= secs

Wait time in seconds before starting burn (default 2).

INSTALL

sudo apt install wodim

sudo dnf install wodim

sudo apk add cdrkit

sudo zypper install cdrecord

nix profile install nixpkgs#cdrkit

CAVEATS

Requires write access to the optical device (usually root or cdrom group membership). Buffer underruns can ruin discs without burnfree support. CD-R discs cannot be erased. Audio CDs require specific WAV format (44.1kHz, 16-bit, stereo). Device naming varies by system.

HISTORY

cdrecord was developed by J\u00f6rg Schilling starting in 1995. It became the standard Unix CD burning tool. In 2006, licensing disputes led to the creation of cdrkit, a fork that includes wodim as a cdrecord replacement. Most Linux distributions switched to cdrkit/wodim, though some still include original cdrecord. The tools remain largely command-compatible.