What is track at once vs disk at once?

Track at once (TAO) and disk at once (DAO) are two different methods for writing data to a CD or DVD.

Track at once (TAO) is a writing method where the laser writes one track at a time, with each track being closed after it is written before moving on to the next track. This method is commonly used for audio CDs and can accommodate multiple recording sessions on the same disc.

Disk at once (DAO) is a writing method where the laser writes the entire disc in one continuous session, without any interruption between tracks. This method is commonly used for creating master copies of data discs and is also used for burning video DVDs.

The main difference between TAO and DAO is the way data is written to the disc. TAO allows for more flexibility in editing and updating the contents of a disc, while DAO provides a more consistent and reliable writing process for creating master copies of discs.