Abstract: A method and device for recording multiple information volumes on a record carrier, usually called multi-session recording, has a mapping unit (31) for opening a session by recording intro data including a first buffer zone at the beginning of the start zone of the volume, and a session control block (SDCB) in a remaining blank area of the start zone after the buffer zone. The session control block includes volume data indicative of the status and the contents of the session. The session is closed by recording session control data indicating that the information volume is closed in the remaining blank area, and closure data after the last user information recorded in the data zone for constituting the end zone of the volume. Further, the device has a detecting unit (32) for retrieving the session control block from said start zone.

Abstract: A method and device for recording multiple information volumes on a record carrier, usually called multi-session recording, has a mapping unit (31) for opening a session by recording intro data including a first buffer zone at the beginning of the start zone of the volume, and a session control block (SDCB) in a remaining blank area of the start zone after the buffer zone. The session control block includes volume data indicative of the status and the contents of the session. The session is closed by recording session control data indicating that the information volume is closed in the remaining blank area, and closure data after the last user information recorded in the data zone for constituting the end zone of the volume. Further, the device has a detecting unit (32) for retrieving the session control block from said start zone.

Abstract: A device, record carrier (11) and method for recording information on a track (9) of the record carrier (11) is described. The record carrier (11) contains a disc information area with information about the record carrier (11), such as for example a write strategy for that record carrier (11). The device has disc information reading means (35) for reading the disc information area. The disc information area further contains extended information blocks. The extended information block have a block version number and additional parameters. The block version number defines how the additional parameters are to be interpreted. In this manner a more flexible backwards compatibility system is realized. Drives which are able to interpret the additional parameters of an extended information block can chose to use the additional parameters in that block. Older drives use other blocks or fall back to the first basic part of the disc information area.