A codeword and a method for generating a codeword is provided. The codeword
may be used in error correction of digital optical media and DVDs, the
codeword having a plurality of data symbols and a plurality of parity
symbols, and includes an augmented channel word which can be read as
either a first value or a second alternate value. The augmented channel
word is one of the plurality of data and parity symbols, the augmented
channel word retaining its value irrespective of any error correction
performed.
