Abstract: An optical disc writing condition determining method according to the present invention includes the steps of: performing a first test write operation at a low speed on an inner test track; setting condition A for performing a write operation at the low speed on the inner test track based on a result of the first test write operation; performing a second test write operation at the low speed on an outer test track; setting condition B for performing a write operation at the low speed on the outer test track based on a result of the second test write operation; performing a third test write operation at a high speed on the outer test track; setting condition C for performing a write operation at the high speed on the outer test track based on a result of the third test write operation; and calculating either a difference between the conditions A and B or a ratio of the condition B to the condition A and modifying the condition C based on the difference or the ratio, thereby determining writing condition D for

Abstract: A recording device including: an optical head section for irradiating a recording medium with laser to record and reproduce information; a laser driving section for driving the optical head section to output laser; and a control section for, in a process of adjusting recording laser power output from the optical head section, obtaining an evaluation value of a recorded area after a predetermined period of time elapsed since data was recorded as an evaluation value about a reproduction signal during reproduction of the recorded data, and adjusting recording laser power on the basis of the evaluation value after the predetermined period of time elapsed since data was recorded.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a recording method of an optical disc drive, which first calibrates the write power with minimum recording speed, adjusts write powers for higher speeds, searches a blank area in a lead-out area of a disc to record with write powers for all speeds, read signals, deletes the speeds with bad recording quality, reserves the speeds with good recording quality as recordable speed, checks the required recording speed for the address of the recording data, searches the recordable speed equal to or smaller than the required recording speed, replaces the required recording speed with the searched recordable speed, records data with the searched recordable speed and corresponding write power to ensure quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting an optimum value of a write parameter for use in an optical recording apparatus for writing information on an optical recording medium by means of a radiation beam. The optimum value of a write parameter is found by deriving a plurality of characteristic write power levels (PChar) from a plurality of curve-fitting functions. Each characteristic write power level (PChar) has an associated initial value of the write power level (TV), and the optimum value of the write parameter is found by comparing the characteristic write power levels to the initial write power levels. The invention also relates to an optical recording apparatus for recording information on an optical recording medium, the apparatus having a radiation source for emitting a radiation beam having a controllable value of a write power level for recording information on the recording medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for optimizing write operations for optical storage media. A determination is made, at least in part by iteration, of a next power range and a current score for a current power range. If it is determined that the current score is relatively equivalent to a maximum score, a plurality of final parameters is updated and provided, including an optimal power range and a final score. If it is determined that the current score is relatively greater than the final score, then the plurality of final parameters is updated. If it is determined that a maximum number of iterations has been performed, the plurality of final parameters is provided. Otherwise, the current power range is updated with the next power range. One or more of the returned plurality of final parameters are employed to optimize write operations for optical storage media.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus according to the present invention generates a divided clock signal by dividing a recording clock signal, and based on the divided clock signal, determines a test emission pattern for test recording which is used for controlling the power of a light beam that is output from an emission section. When the linear velocity at recording changes, the division ratio is adjusted in a direction of reducing a change in frequency of the divided clock signal. In an optical disk apparatus which performs laser power control by conducting a test emission with multipulses in a test area, a good detection accuracy of a multi-pulse average value can be maintained even at high x-speeds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an optimal writing power for recording data on a recording medium such as an optical disk, are discussed. The method according to an aspect of the present invention includes (a) performing a plurality of OPC operations on a plurality of areas of the recording medium, the plurality of OPC operations being performed in mutually different manners, the plurality of areas being areas within a power calibration area (PCA) allocated in the recording medium; and (b) determining an optimal writing power for recording data on the recording medium based on writing powers detected via the plurality of OPC operations.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus capable of improving an overwrite performance for performing an overwrite operation on a re-writable type optical disc. The apparatus includes a calculating section which calculates out a recording power at the time of previously performing recording in a recording area of the optical disc, and a recording power determining section which determines a write power of the recording power calculated out by the calculating section as a write power of the currently recorded recording power, and at the same time, adjusts erase power, cooling power, and/or middle power of the recording power calculated out by the calculating section to finally determine the currently recorded recording power.

Abstract: A recording power adjustment process to adjust a recording power is carried out in each recording layer of a multilayered optical disc, and a shift test writing process to adjust the pulse condition of a recording pulse is carried out only with regard to some of the respective recording layers. Then, based on the processing result of the recording power adjustment process and the processing result of the shift test writing process, a processing result of the shift test writing process in each of the recording layers, to which the shift test writing process has not been performed, is predicted. Then, information is recorded on a corresponding recording layer of the multilayered optical disc while adjusting the pulse condition of the recording pulse based on the processing result of the shift test writing process or the prediction result.

Abstract: An optical information recording reproducing apparatus precisely decides at least the time width of a recording pulse sequence so as to obtain a preferable signal quality by controlling a recording power and a pulse time width during a high-speed write. The apparatus includes: modulation instrument for generating a test pattern containing at least a first recording mark length; recording pulse sequence conversion instrument for converting the test pattern into a recording pulse sequence containing test recording pulses having different time widths corresponding to at least the first recording mark length; beam irradiation instrument; reproduced signal processing instrument for holding as a first signal index characteristic, the relation between a first signal index acquired according to the reproduced signal obtained from a predetermined area and the recording power; and recording condition calculation instrument for obtaining a desired time width of a recording pulse of the first recording mark length.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing device includes an optical head unit which performs writing and reading of information expressed by marks and spaces on an optical recording medium by irradiating laser light onto the optical recording medium, a laser driving pulse generating unit that generates a laser driving pulse according to the recorded information to supply a laser driving signal to the optical head unit, and executes the irradiation of the laser light onto the optical head unit for recording, an evaluation value calculating unit that calculates a quality evaluation value, which is an index of recording signal quality based on a signal read from the optical recording medium by the optical head unit, and an adjustment controlling unit that performs an adjustment setting of the laser driving pulse generated in the laser driving pulse generating unit.

Abstract: A recording apparatus with a device for recording information onto a medium, provided with: (i) a first layer irradiated with laser light to record information on a first area; and (ii) a second layer irradiated with laser light through the first layer and having a second area whose edge on an inner circumferential side corresponds to an edge on an outer circumferential side of the first area; and a controlling device for controlling the recording device to pre-record, into an area portion of the first area, other than an area portion having a size corresponding to a tolerance length, which indicates an acceptable range of a relative position shift between an address defined on the predetermined position in the first layer and an address related to the predetermined position in the second layer, with the edge on the outer circumferential side of the first area as a starting point.

Abstract: Trial writing is made by recording waveform different from that used to record information in a disc. In the trial writing, particularly, the strategy having short cooling time or large cooling power is used to make recording, so that the jitter characteristic having clear difference between jitters in magnitude can be obtained to get stable calculated power. Thus, the recording quality can be ensured and user's convenience is increased.

Abstract: Provided are a disk defect inspection method and apparatus. The defect inspection method includes; determining an independent recording density value for disk defect detection in relation to disk drive component factors excepting a disk of the disk drive, and performing a disk defect inspection using the independent recording density value for disk defect detection.

Abstract: A method of determining an optimum reproduction condition of a first mark recorded on an optical recording medium that is smaller than a resolution of a pickup to reproduce the first mark. The method includes obtaining an optimum reproduction condition of a second mark having a length which closely approximates the resolution of the pickup, and determining the optimum reproduction condition of the first mark using the obtained optimum reproduction condition of the second mark.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing Beta prediction for high-speed writing on unknown recordable optical discs. Test recordings are performed in the inner (20) and outer test (40) zones of an unknown recordable optical disc, yielding results expressed as measured beta target values. At least one beta target value is computed in a data zone (30) of the unknown recordable optical disc. Beta (power) is predicted as a function of speed for continuous angular velocity (CAV) speed profiles, or equivalently, as a function of disc radius for CAV writing, for high speed writing on said unknown optical disc by constructing a piecewise linear interpolation of beta versus speed or disc radius using the measured target values and the at least one calculated beta target value.

Abstract: A write control method which varies a write power in response to a recording speed, a recording density, and a type of recording medium, and an optical disc recording apparatus suitable for the write control method. The write control method includes preparing a plurality of standard power values corresponding to recording speeds or recording densities for a plurality of record marks, selecting one of the plurality of standard power values with respect to a record mark to be recorded according to a recording speed or a recording density, and controlling write power of a laser beam according to the selected standard power value. The write control method and apparatus improve recording performance of an optical disc recording apparatus by differently setting write power values according to recording speeds, recording densities, and types of recording media.

Abstract: A method of recording data in a multilayered recordable optical recording medium is disclosed. When test recording is executed in a multilayered recordable optical recording medium having N recording layers (N is an integer of 2 or more), a test recording range in a test recording area of an (m+1)th recording layer is shifted relative to a test recording range in a test recording area of an mth recording layer by an amount greater than a difference of decentration amounts between the mth and the (m+1)th recording layers or a maximum decentration amount in the N recording layers. The shifting direction is inverse to a test recording range adding direction in a radius direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a first calculating device for calculating an optimum power for recording the data pattern into a recording-scheduled area (RSA) in an inner area; a first controlling device recording the data pattern with the optimum power outside an end on an outer side of the RSA; a second calculating device calculating an adjustment power used in adjusting a recording condition outside the end on the outer side of the RSA, considering a difference between recording sensitivity inside and outside the RSA; a second controlling device recording the data pattern for adjusting the recording condition with the adjustment power outside the RSA; a reading device obtaining a read signal; a measuring device measuring read signal jitter; an adjusting device adjusting the recording condition for satisfactory jitter; and a third controlling device to record the data pattern into the RSA using the optimum power and the adjusted recording condition.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus and a method of performing an optical power study and detecting writing power in the optical disc apparatus. An optical pickup includes a light source to emit a laser beam according to an input optical power signal, an optical power detector to detect optical power of the laser beam using part of the laser beam, and an actuator to drive a lens to form a beam spot. To reduce the time required for the power study, a controller positions the optical pickup in a specific area of a disc and applies a predetermined range of optical power signals to the light source to perform the power study to determine its optical power characteristics using the optical power signal and the detected optical power while maintaining the actuator in a driving state in which writing and reading is possible.

Abstract: A recording method for an optical disc having at least three recording layers (11, 12, 13, 14), in which test recording areas are formed in the odd-numbered recording layers (11, 13) and the even-numbered recording layers (12, 14) in positions that are mutually non-overlapping in the thickness direction of the optical disc, the test recording areas in the odd-numbered recording layers are formed in positions mutually aligned in the thickness direction, and the test recording areas in the even-numbered recording layers are formed in positions mutually aligned in the thickness direction. The time for test recording for determining the optimal recording power can be shortened.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of permitting recording setup information required to perform a test recording on an optical disk to be obtained from an external device as the need arises. The method comprises the steps of: measuring an evaluation index associated with recording characteristics with which data was recorded on the optical disk by an optical disk drive; making a decision as to whether the measured evaluation index indicates a state in which recording setup information used in data recording by the optical disk drive should be updated; acquiring recording setup information corresponding to at least the machine ID of the optical disk drive and the medium ID of the optical disk when the evaluation index is judged to indicate the state in which the recording setup information should be updated; and setting the acquired recording setup information in the optical disk drive.

Abstract: Test writing is executed while skipping areas where deviations are present on an optical disk to thereby improve accuracy and reliability of an optimum recording condition to be derived. A deviation detecting unit detects the deviations of a guide groove on the optical disk on the basis of a fluctuation amount of a focus error signal or a tracking error signal, and registers information of the detected deviations onto a memory. A test writing processing unit refers to the memory, and records and reproduces a test signal while skipping the areas where the deviations are detected.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method to efficiently calibrate parameters of a memory reading device. The method can include defining two or more value sets for the parameters of the memory reading device to read a memory medium, reading the memory medium with the parameters set respectively at the value sets, receiving performance signals corresponding to operation of the memory reading device having the parameters set at the value sets, respectively, and setting the parameters of the memory reading device for reading the memory medium based on the performance signals.

Abstract: The present invention discloses read and write power control methods and system for an optical recording device that records information on an optical disk having read-only areas. The read and write power control methods respectively introduce the steps of determining a specific level of a former power control signal output based on a former power control, and then according to the specific level, setting a predetermined level of a power control signal to induce a present power control for rapidly outputting a proper power of the pick-up head. Accordingly, the level transition of the read/write power control signal can be shortened and even eliminated. An unstable read/write power output for the pick-up head can be avoided.

Abstract: In an optical disc apparatus, whether an unrecorded recording layer without information recorded thereon is included in the multiple recording layers of the optical disc mounted inside the apparatus is judged. then when the unrecorded recording layer is judged to be present, a signal for focus offset adjustment is recorded in a non-user data recording area of the unrecorded recording layer, and reproduction of the recorded focus offset adjusting signal is followed by its quality evaluation, which is further followed by calculation and setup of an appropriate focus offset value based on evaluation results.

Abstract: The present invention is to realize a proper inner zone layout in an optical disk having at least three layers. A test area is provided in the inner zone (inner circumference side area) in each of recording layers. The test areas of each layer are so disposed as to be prevented from overlapping with each other in the layer direction. Furthermore, the number of management information recording/reproduction areas overlapping with the test area in the layer direction at a position closer to the laser-incident surface than this test area is set equal to or smaller than one in each test area of each recording layer. The management information recording/reproduction areas are each so disposed as to be prevented from overlapping with the test areas in the respective recording layers in the layer direction on the disk substrate side of the test areas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording data on an optical disc, are discussed. In an embodiment of the present invention, when recording of real-time input data in a high quality mode is requested, an Optimum Power Control (OPC) operation for recording is performed while input data is encoded in a quality mode, which is downwardly adjusted, for example, to a standard quality mode, and is then buffered in a buffer memory. After the OPC operation has been completed, the buffered data is recorded on the optical disc while the data is encoded in the requested high quality mode and is then buffered. Further, the input data is encoded in the requested high quality mode, but may be buffered in a hard disc, rather than the buffer memory, during the performance of the OPC operation.

Abstract: Provided is an optical disk device capable of recording and/or reproducing information on optical disks with high reliability; and a method for controlling the optical disk device. The position of an optical lens where the amplitude of a reproduction signal during the period corresponding to a minimum-length recording mark and a space having the same length reaches its maximum is detected; and the detected position is set as a reference position for the objective lens relative to the optical disk, for use in focus control. Also, the position of the objective lens where the result of multiplication of resolution and modulation becomes greatest is detected; and the detected position is set as a reference position for the objective lens relative to the optical disk, for use in focus control.

Abstract: A disc write power setting method and a disc device are provided. The write power setting method comprises reading writing characteristic information from a disc; writing test data for each of n write power values and detecting modulation with respect to the written data; calculating, for each of k power coefficients, a straight line approximating a curve composed of n points which have x coordinates corresponding to differences between a corresponding power coefficient and the write power values used for the test data writing and y coordinates corresponding to the product of modulation for the write power values and a corresponding difference and selecting a straight line having the smallest error with a corresponding curve among k straight lines and the power coefficient corresponding to the straight line; and setting optimum write power based on the selected straight line, the selected power coefficient and the read writing characteristic information.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating an initial driving signal for driving an optical pick-up head of an optical disk drive is provided. On one embodiment, said optical disk drive is utilized for reading or writing data on an optical disk, the optical disk includes a plurality of auto power control areas (APC areas) and a plurality of data areas, and the APC areas and the data areas are interleaved in between. In at least one of the APC areas that before the data areas for a normal data writing, an initial driving signal is used for the normal data writing to drive the optical pick-up head to emit laserbeam. A detected level of the laserbeam is then obtained. An update initial driving signal is then calibrated according to the detected level and a target level.

Abstract: A recording condition approximate to the optimal is obtainable for a media even if unknown to the drive. A technique is provided that is effective for improving the signal quality, particularly, at a Wobble and Lpp. By regulating an intermediate pulse condition PWD, Tmp of a recording pulse configured with a top pulse, an intermediate pulse and a last pulse, the pit width W in a saturation code is controlled. The pit length and phase in the saturation code is controlled based on a front phase correction amount Ttop and rear phase correction amount Tlast.

Abstract: A power adjustment method in which a modulation index is calculated from reproduced signals of patterns recorded by irradiating light onto an optical information recording medium with a recording power varied and an optimum power of irradiation light is set up using the modulation index. The power adjustment method includes calculating an optimum value PcO of a predetermined correction term Pc using a relation of a value obtained by subtracting the predetermined correction term Pc from the recording power and the modulation index, finding a value Pth of the recording power at which the modulation index becomes substantially zero in the relation of the value obtained by subtracting the optimum value PcO from the recording power and the modulation index, and setting up a value obtained by multiplying the value of Pth by a predetermined constant as a recording power of each of the recording patterns.

Abstract: A laser drive circuit is utilized to record data with a good signal quality over a wide range of linear velocities to an optical information recording medium. Specifically, the laser drive circuit of an optical information recording apparatus sets a ratio of a recording power to a power at which a reproduction signal quality reaches a threshold value to be relatively low at low velocities, and relatively high at high velocities.

Abstract: An optical media playback device includes a memory to store calibration data specifying how a mark of a particular length should be formed on an optical storage media. A control module writes a training pattern onto the optical storage media based on the calibration data. The training pattern includes a first mark having a first length. A control module reads the training pattern previously written onto the optical storage media and determines whether the first length of the first mark corresponds to the particular length specified by the calibration data. The control module adjusts the calibration data stored in the memory in response to the first length of the first mark not corresponding to the particular length specified by the calibration data.

Abstract: A model is derived for write parameters of a laser in an optical drive. A parameter range for the write parameters is set based on a recordable medium. A number of test runs are recorded on the recordable medium while varying the write parameters. Write performance characteristics are measured over the test runs, and a model of write performance as a function of the write parameters is derived. Values for write parameters are selected for use in writing actual data based on the derived model. A first section of user data is written to the data-carrying region of the recordable medium using the selected values. The write performance characteristics of the first section of user data are measured, and the model is updated by including the measurements from the data-carrying region. New values for the write parameters of the laser are selected based on the updated model.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal on and from an optical disc includes a memory. The information signal is written into the memory. The information signal is read out from the memory. An optical head generates a laser beam in response to the readout information signal, and applies the laser beam to the optical disc to record the readout information signal on the optical disc. A test signal is recorded on a position of the optical disc near a recording position thereof via the optical head during the writing of the information signal into the memory. The test signal is reproduced from the optical disc. The reproduced test signal is evaluated to generate an evaluation result. An intensity of the laser beam is optimized in response to the evaluation result.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal on and from an optical disc includes a memory. The information signal is written into the memory. The information signal is read out from the memory. An optical head generates a laser beam in response to the readout information signal, and applies the laser beam to the optical disc to record the readout information signal on the optical disc. A test signal is recorded on a position of the optical disc near a recording position thereof via the optical head during the writing of the information signal into the memory. The test signal is reproduced from the optical disc. The reproduced test signal is evaluated to generate an evaluation result An intensity of the laser beam is optimized in response to the evaluation result.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus (2) is for forming a record mark corresponding to a recording signal by applying a laser beam to a recording medium, and is provided with: a light source (21) for emitting the laser beam; and a signal generating device (22) for generating a recording pulse signal for driving the light source on the basis of the recording signal, the recording pulse signal includes a mark period and a space period, a level of the recording pulse signal corresponds to a recording power by which waveform distortion is greater than or equal to an upper limit (L) or is less than or equal to a lower limit (?L) of an amplitude limit value on a limit equalizer (15), in the mark period corresponding to a long mark.

Abstract: A read-only optical disc medium is disclosed. The disc medium includes: an information recording area in which information is recorded by means of an embossed pit array formed in a convexo-concave shape having a reflective layer deposited thereon; a test writing area which is used for test write recording of a mark formed by dissipating or decreasing the reflective layer; and an additional write area in which a record data string is formed of a mark by dissipating or decreasing the reflective layer under a recording condition decided in accordance with a result of test write recording performed in the test writing area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accomplishing an OPC (optimal power calibration) at a test area secured in data recording area of a writable optical recording medium and detecting an optimal writing power appropriate to the test area. The method searches for a marginal area adjacent to a data section recorded on an optical recording medium, records test data on the marginal area discovered in the searching step while changing a writing power; and reproduces the test data recorded on the marginal area and determining an optimal writing power based upon the characteristics of the reproduction signal. The method and system can reduce delay time required to move an optical pickup inward and outward to accomplish the OPC operation and enhances writing characteristics since an optimal writing power is obtained from a test area which is very close to data area to record input data.

Abstract: A recording method for an optical disc having at least three recording layers (11, 12, 13, 14), in which test recording areas are formed in the odd-numbered recording layers (11, 13) and the even-numbered recording layers (12, 14) in positions that are mutually non-overlapping in the thickness direction of the optical disc, the test recording areas in the odd-numbered recording layers are formed in positions mutually aligned in the thickness direction, and the test recording areas in the even-numbered recording layers are formed in positions mutually aligned in the thickness direction. The time for test recording for determining the optimal recording power can be shortened.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a write strategy of a recordable disc comprises steps of: generating a test pattern on a power calibrating area of the recordable disc according to a first write strategy and a first write power; establishing a Pit-to-Land Inter-Symbol Interference table and a Land-to-Pit Inter-Symbol Interference table through measuring a plurality of Pits and Lands with different time lengths in the test pattern; and generating a second overdrive power by adjusting a first overdrive power of the first write strategy according to the Pit-to-Land Inter-Symbol Interference table and the Land-to-Pit Inter-Symbol Interference table.

Abstract: The present techniques provide methods and systems reading a data bit of interest on an optical data disc with a reduced error rate. The data bit estimation may be improved by reducing deterministic noise resulting from an optical reader system and/or the optical data disc. The reader may adjust the position of a detector to detect light scattered from the disc based on parameters of known noise sources. In one embodiment, the detector may be moved vertically in relation to the data bit of interest on the optical disc. In another embodiment, more than one detector may be used to detect light scattered from a data bit of interest. In embodiments, the positioning of the detector(s) may be based on system or disc parameters, and the detected scatterings may provide a data reading, improved for an optical return from a present micro-hologram.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a test writing method for seeking the optimum write power correctly and in a short time under a high speed recording condition in a test writing method and an information recording device for recording information by forming different marks from the unrecorded part by injecting energy onto the recording medium. To achieve the above object, even number length marks and odd number length marks are separately test written in the 2T strategy to seek the respective optimum write power. Due to the possibility of enhancing the precision of test writing, a good recording ability can be obtained.

Abstract: In an optical disk drive, running OPC (ROPC) is performed without fail, to thus enhance recording quality. ROPC is performed by use of a remaining portion of an area for APC operation within an APC area of a recording unit (RUB) in a next-generation optical disk such as a blu-ray disk. ROPC is performed by means of tentatively writing test data having a length of 50 T longer than a specified length of data to be recorded; and detecting level B of the amount of light reflected at that time. The APC area is formed from five wobble periods. APC is performed in periods of first two wobbles, and ROPC is performed in remaining three wobble periods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording data on an optical disk calculates an optical power at a first recording speed, compares the calculated optical power to a predetermined value, and then determines whether to apply the first recording speed based on a result of the comparison. The optical power at the first recording speed is calculated based on a reference optical power and a measured optical power, and the predetermined value may correspond to the maximum allowable power of a laser pickup. The method and apparatus may be used to control the speeding, timing, and/power of a data recording operation, as well as to compensate for temperature variations and/or power margins of one or more circuits in an optical disk device.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus for an optical information reproduction apparatus includes the following: a photoelectric detector (1) in which a far-field pattern of a light spot converged on a recording medium is formed across a divided light-receiving cell; an arithmetic unit (2) for outputting at least a pair of arithmetic signals from the output of the photoelectric detector (1); a phase comparator (4) for detecting a phase difference between the output signals of the arithmetic unit (2); an absolute value detector (8) for detecting an absolute value of the output signal of the phase comparator (4); a level detector (9) for generating a signal that indicates whether or not a convergence position of the light spot is located off an information track by detecting a predetermined number of times or more the output signal of the absolute value detector (8) has become larger than a predetermined value; a sensitivity detector (10) for detecting and outputting the sensitivity of the level detector (9) by observing the out

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accomplishing an OPC (optimal power calibration) at a test area secured in data recording area of a writable optical recording medium and detecting an optimal writing power appropriate to the test area, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method searches for a marginal area adjacent to a data section recorded on an optical recording medium, records test data on the marginal area discovered in the searching step while changing a writing power; and reproduces the test data recorded on the marginal area and determining an optimal writing power based upon the characteristics of the reproduction signal.

Abstract: An optical disc recording and reproducing apparatus can record data, which is provided in a packet having a fixed length, on an optical disc without waiting for a long time for a completion of a formatting operation. The optical disc is formatted by a formatting process performed as a background process so that another process is acceptable after a start of the formatting process. The formatting process is performed so as to fill at least a predetermined part of a recording area of said optical disc by packets having a fixed length.