Overburning, in computing, is the process of writing data past the normal recording limit on a writable compact disc, allowing a small amount of extra data to be written.

At the outer edges of a compact disc, there is often a small margin of space allowing extra data to be written to the disc. Usually in the normal writing process, no data is written to this area. However, this boundary can be surpassed if one has the right CD burner, good software and reasonable quality CD media — allowing extra data to be squeezed onto the disc.

Overburning is not just a mere convenience to space-conscious home compact disc writers. If a certain piece of software is slightly over the CD size limit (e.g. requires 641 MB of space on a 640 MB disc), overburning alleviates the need to ship two compact discs, dramatically decreasing the price of distribution.

External links

• Oversize CD-R
• Nero Overburn
• Technical information and software advice for CD burning