The Media Identification Code (MID) is used on DVD-R, DVD+R and DVD-RAM discs to identify the manufacturer and to assist the DVD burner to select the best write strategy for the inserted media. The technology is inherited from the ATIP code used on CD-R discs.

If the DVD burner recognizes the discs it means that the disc has been tested by the drive manufacturer to achieve the best possible burn using an optimal write strategy. The strategy is stored in the firmware. Writing to a disc with no MID code or a code that is not recognized can result in inaccurate recording and data read-back problems.[citation needed]

Displaying the MID

The following programs can be used to display the contents of the MID

With Windows

  • install by Nic Wilson (full 14-day trial available without any adverts)
  • install by Kris Schoofs (freeware)

With Linux

Ubuntu and other Linux systems have dvd+rw-tools installed by default, which provides a command to display the media data:

With Mac OS X

drutil status

See also

External links

  • (a utility software program for Microsoft Windows)