1. What is a CD-R?
A standard CD-R (Write Once) is produced using a fine
layer of Cyanine or Pthalocyanine dye on a plastic substrate and placing a
corresponding reflective layer on the CD-R. The CD-R is recorded by burning
in a series of digital pits into the dye layer via a laser.
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2. What is a Color CD-R?
A color CD-R also known as Colored Substrate CD-Rs
available in Black, Red, Blue, Orange, Purple, etc. are produced by adding
a dye color to the clear plastic substrate during the manufacturing process.
There is no difference in performance with these
discs because although we humans see the full spectrum of visible colors on
the discs, the laser has a much narrower vision. Our Neon
and Black Onyx
CD-Rs are the same quality as our data CDs.
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3. Are Nashua Media
Products CD-R discs formatted?
CD-Rs cannot be pre-formatted as they can only be written to once. The software
for the recorder/drive will format as it is recording.
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4. How long will CD-Rs
last?
CD media manufacturers' testing results vary from 70 to more than 200 years.
The lifetime of a CD-R is estimated by environmental tests that try to simulate
the accumulation of damage from light, heat, and exposure to the normal chemicals
in the air. Real-life conditions suggest that careless handling, heat, and
exposure to sunlight can ruin a disc in a month or less.
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5. What does the "X"
stand for?
The "X" of discs is a measure of how fast
they can be recorded in a drive rated to be capable of that speed. A 32X disc
can be recorded at 32 times normal speed (normal is the playback speed of
a music CD). A 32X disc will record in a drive rated at 32X, but only at 16X
speed in a drive rated only for 16X maximum.
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6. Why won't my 48X recorder
record at 48X?
There could be several reasons for this.
1) The CD-R disc may not be 48x compatible
so the drive will bump down its recording speed.
2) System performance may be poor causing slow
data transfer and thus unreliable recording at 48x.
3) Authoring software may need to be updated.
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7. Are 52X discs better than
16X discs?
Faster discs have thinner dyes that react faster to
the laser light and the greater laser power used. There is no quality difference
in this regard, although discs rated at the highest speeds have to have excellent
balance, concentricity, and uniformity so that they do not cause problems
for high speed drives.
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8. Why can't I play my CD-R
in my home or car stereo?
There are a few possible issues:
Media compatibility—Not all brands of
CD-R players get are compatible with all brands of CD-R media. You need to
find a combination of recorder, media and player that work together.
Reflectivity problems—The reflectivity
of CD-R discs falls within a broad range, but some CD-ROM drives and CD audio
players (especially older ones) were calibrated to read factory-pressed (silver)
discs only, which occupy a narrow part of this range of reflectivity. Try
the CD-R in different players to determine if it is a problem related to the
recording or the player. If the CD-R doesn't work in another player, try recording
with a different brand of CD recorder or at a different speed to improve readability.
Failure to close the disc at the end of a writing procedure—You
can't play an audio CD on a common CD player until the session has been closed.
You might be able to play it back with the CD recorder.
Audio data recorded in multiple sessions—Remember
to write all of the audio data in one session on a Multi-session CD. Compact
disc audio players cannot find the later sessions, so tracks written in later
sessions won't get played.
Seeking problems—Sometimes the CD player
will have no problem playing the tracks, but will have a great deal of difficulty
seeking tracks or fast-forwarding. Try the CD-R in different players to determine
if it is a problem related to the recording or the player.
Speed problems—Some media works better
written at 8x, 16x, or 24x than it does at other speeds. You may find that
slowing down or speeding up the recorder helps.
WAV/AIFF files in CD-ROM format—Remember
to write the disc in CD-Audio format. If you write WAV/AIFF files to a disc
in CD-ROM format, the disc will not work in your home stereo.
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9. What does the term
"BLER" mean?
BLER stands for Block Error Rate and is a key measurement relating to CD quality.
The lower the error rate the better the reliability to accurately access the
disc's embedded data or music. Errors exist on every disc, even CD-ROMs and
audio discs, but it's the magnitude of these errors that distinguishes good
from poor. BLER, therefore, is a measurable way to determine the quality of
both CD-R discs and the recorders in which they are used.
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10. What does the
term "Jitter" mean?
Jitter, like BLER, is one of many important characteristics with respect to
CD-R. It represents the variation of the actual average time placement of
the read data bits. Simply, if the length of specific pits and lands are too
far out of range from what it supposed to be, then the laser interprets the
data differently and thus inaccurate. Disc characteristics, labels, vibration,
motor bearings, and laser power during recording all can affect jitter.
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11. What is a buffer under-run
error?
A buffer underrun occurs when your computer
system cannot keep up the steady stream of data required for CD recording.
The CD recorder has an internal memory buffer to protect against interruptions
and slowdowns, but if the interruption is so long that the recorder's buffer
is completely emptied, a buffer underrun occurs, writing stops, and most often
the recordable CD is ruined.
Here are some suggestions to prevent buffer under-runs:
1. Record
at a slower speed - try dropping the speed a level or two.
2. Don't
do anything else with the computer while recording. Don't record from a file
server. Disable all screensavers, anti-virus programs and sleep modes.
3. De-fragment
your hard drive, especially if you're recording from data on the hard drive.
4. Record
from a disc image file rather than on the fly.
5. Keep
your CD-R drive cool. Sometimes drives fail when they overheat.
6. Disable
programs that wake up, virtual memory settings that cause swapping, screen
savers that could activate during the CD-creation process, unusual network
activity, and background downloads of data or faxes.
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12. What is the
Orange Book?
The Orange Book is a document that describes the
specification for CD-Write Once (CD-Recordable) technology developed by Philips
and Sony. It defines both the physical structure and dimensions of a CD-R
disc as well as the use of certain portions of the recording surface to record
information, to calibrate the recorder laser power, to record track information
for all sessions, and to record the Lead-in and Lead-out Areas that precede
and follow, respectively, the Program Area.
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13. Can CD-R
recorders write DVDs?
No. CD-R writers/burners cannot write recordable DVDs. However, there are
some DVD recordable drives that can write CD-Rs & CD-RWs. It should also
be noted that CD players and recorders cannot read or play DVDs.
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14. Can a CD
be copied onto a DVD blank disc?
Yes, but the recording will sound the same as the CD source - CD quality only.
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15. What is the
best way to handle, store, and clean CD-Rs?
Nashua Media Products CD-R media is labeled and packaged to provide maximum
product protection. To maintain the integrity of the disc and the data stored
on the disc, please use the following care and handling guidelines.
Handling and Care
1. Handle the disc only by the outer edge to
keep fingerprints from the surface.
2. Use a soft, lint-free cloth for cleaning
the disc to remove dust, or fingerprints.
3. Wipe from the center to the outer edges
and never wipe in a circular motion.
4. Don't touch the unlabeled shiny side of
a disc — that's the recording surface.
5. Don't set a disc down on hard surfaces that
can scratch the recording surface.
6. Don't use abrasive or solvent cleaners, audio CD disc cleaners, or conventional
vinyl record cleaning solutions on the disc. Chemical-based cleaners and cleaners
that are safe for audio CDs might not be safe for CD-Rs.
Storage
1. Store discs in their storage cases to avoid
scratches.
2. Store discs in a cool, dry place, away from
direct light. The ideal storage temperature is between 23° F - 86°
F.
3. Don't
leave the disc in direct sunlight or in a hot, humid environment.
4. Don't
spill liquids or allow moisture to condense on the disc.
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16.
What is your recommendation for labeling CD-R media?
You
can write on the inner diameter or designated label area of the CD-R (the
entire inner non-recorded side). Use only
soft-felt-tipped, permanent ink pens (such as Nashua
Media Products CD Writer Pens),
and write only on the designated areas. Water-soluble pens work best—their
ink dries quickly and minimizes smearing. Ball-point pens or other hard-point
writing utensils may damage the disc. Be careful when using adhesive labels.
Use only labels with high-quality adhesive designed not to corrode the reflective
layer of the disc. Be sure to apply it properly. Labels applied off-center
or with ripples can harm your CD player. If you misalign the label
or don't smooth the label down and there are air bubbles under the surface,
then you run the risk of your CD-R spinning out of balance, which could cause
reading and tracking problems. If you try to reposition the label after it
is partially stuck, then you run the risk of damaging the CD-R as you remove
the partially stuck label.
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