How to do multi-session burning?

What exactly is multi-session burning? Can you actually pull this off on a DVD-DL? Also, how do I go about running a multi-session burn using Nero? Honestly, what’s the absolute best and most user-friendly software out there for handling this kind of thing?

If you're burning a Data DVD using the DVD9 standard, I'm pretty sure you can pull this off.
Multi-session burning basically just means you're topping off the same CD or DVD multiple times—essentially adding more data until you hit the capacity limit.
For example, if you burn a single 700 MB DiVX file onto a DVD, you'll still have about 3.67 GB of space left over. If you've got multi-session enabled, you can just keep dumping files onto that same disc whenever you need to.
Obviously, this only works until the disc is completely full, and it only applies to discs that were originally burned using this specific method.
You can set this up when you open Nero 7 or something more recent. You just toss all the files you want onto the disc, and right before you hit that "Burn" button, there are two checkboxes above it. One of them usually says something like "allow data to be added later."

But briskbison41 forgot to mention that you can't just burn any random disc using Multi-session... most of the DVDs you find in stores won't work that way. 😛

ae, I can't say I agree with you on that one.
By the way, what kind of media were you using that gave you trouble with multi-session?
For me, I burn every single DVD this way—stuffing them with DivX files, music, software, you name it—and I'm constantly picking up new discs.

I’m betting they’re mostly Traxdata-ini.. Or who knows, maybe it's just how the burning software handles things ☕

It’s probably an issue with the burner itself. I know for a fact that whenever I’m burning with Traxdat, everything runs smoothly, and I use them pretty frequently.

Tried this on two different rigs using two different burners (same software version and everything) — neither one will let me go multi-session. 😉
😛

My checksum and Nero say otherwise😉

I don't know, doesn't really matter... grabbing another DVD isn't exactly breaking the bank. Plus, there's no harm in just dumping everything into one folder until we hit that 4GB limit, then burning it. 🙂

I'm on the same page here.

So, here’s the deal: I’ve already burned about 2GB of data onto a dual-layer disc, and now I’m planning to add another 5GB to it. If I just use the "continue multi-session" option in Nero, it seems like it wipes out my previous files from the DVD entirely. Where did they go? Is there any way to get that old data back?

I have my doubts, but maybe give IsoBuster a shot. 🙂

I always just go with a Verbatim DVD every single time and it burns multi-session without any drama at all... I usually just stick with Ashampoo Burning Studio...