Using blank CDs

[icq3800846]

I have noticed a few posts on the use of blank CDs in car stereos and I thought I would add my observations.

I have a plain Audio 10 CD head unit in my car, and it doesn't matter so much which brand of blank CD is used (in my experience) but on what authoring sotware is used and what CD writer is used to produce a music CD.

First and foremost it is essential that when a music CD is made that the session is closed after writing. Leaving a session open will dramatically reduce the chances of any music CD working in ANYTHING. Same goes for DVDs.

Secondly (I know very little about cars, but have been a computer geek for 20 years now!) I note that my main desktop computer produces CDs which skip in my Audio 10 chronically.

My desktop is a "gaming rig" of very high spec, and uses a high quality Sony DVD/RW drive and Nero 7 to produce these CDs.

My laptop, which is a low grade "consumer quality" laptop bought from Comet has an unbranded simple CD/RW drive and uses NTI CD Maker which was the freebie that came with the laptop, and CDs from this play perfectly in my Audio 10.

My advice to anyone who wants to make audio CDs themselves and who has problems with their CDs playing properly is to make sure that the disk is finalised at the end, and if that doesn't work, have a go at making one on a different computer and see if that works before deciding it's a complete failure.

Richard

 

[turnipsock]

My advice to anyone who wants to make audio CDs themselves and who has problems with their CDs playing properly is to make sure that the disk is finalised at the end, and if that doesn't work, have a go at making one on a different computer and see if that works before deciding it's a complete failure.

This is due to 'tolerances' within the different drives. My advice is burn at the slowest speed possible.

 

[BarryG]

Sony scares me

I have noticed a few posts on the use of blank CDs in car stereos and I thought I would add my observations.

My desktop is a "gaming rig" of very high spec, and uses a high quality Sony DVD/RW drive and Nero 7 to produce these CDs.


Richard

The SONY bit interests me are they messing with the drive for certain uses? Not beyond the realms of possibility!
Sony or there music branch is suing everyone they can for using what they call illegal MP3s and ripping music from CDs. Go back a few years when there was no legal download sites for MP3s who was the maker of the early MP3 players, CD recorders? Yup our friends at Sony, go back even further who was it brought us cheap cassette recorders and music systems whose only use was to copy Vinyl records. Yup Sony ! Sell you the gear then sue you for using it doncha just love those inscrutable Japanese.

As far as the quality of the CDs go I agree with turnipsock sloooower is better for music I always use the slowest speed possible and if you want a reliable lasting copy use high bitrate MP3s and good quality disks. My previous in car CD player used to scratch the backs of the CDs when inserted , which was no problem on most commercial CDs as they are sealed.
But my Black Sabbath on cheap CD only lasted 3 insertions.

 

[turnipsock]

But my Black Sabbath on cheap CD only lasted 3 insertions.

Why would you want to take it out of the player?

A good few many years ago I was showing my new MP3 player to a Sony exec and his face was a picture when I described what I was doing. My USB 1 MP3 player was leading edge stuff. I think he said "Is't that illegal?"

I guess his feedback has filtered through.

 

[Yeti]

Yeah, well, I don't agree with what's been said above, besides, the best DVD/CD burners (and damn cheap) are Pioneer's anyway.

Ironically though, the second best drives to burn Xbox 360 games with are Sonys, tell me that's no coincidence!

Just use decent quality blanks, and nero, and finalise it and you'll be fine - I never have any problems with mine and I burn at 40-52 speed without any problems.

 

[davidsl500]

Some Players have problems with certain brands of disks, if so then get some proper Audio CDR's and they usually cure the problem - Memorex do them for one.

 

[angus falconer]

Why would you want to take it out of the player?

A good few many years ago I was showing my new MP3 player to a Sony exec and his face was a picture when I described what I was doing. My USB 1 MP3 player was leading edge stuff. I think he said "Is't that illegal?"

I guess his feedback has filtered through.

The Sony Consumer Electronics people now have their hands tied behind their backs by the Sony Music people - thet's why Sony were so late with their MP3 players and whey there is so much copyright protection software forced onto the users of their MP3 players.

 

[icq3800846]

It's also the strength of the laser, if the laser unit in the burner is primarily intended for DVDs or CDs. If you are a smoker it will affect the laser diode lens, even the quality of the PSU installed in a computer, or background services and motherboard BIOS settings can have an effect.

My original advice still stands, if your burnt CDs skip, jump or refuse to play, try a different computer to make them just to be sure.

Just as soon as I can, I am going to give up on CDs altogether and just use bluetooth, as a computer geek I have always had Windows Smartphones since they were available, and my current one has heaps of storage for MP3s, plus it has TomTom and there's no security problem as it always leaves the car in my pocket as it's my phone!

The downside is, if it fails I've had it. Lost, no directions and no music.

 

[television]

It's also the strength of the laser, if the laser unit in the burner is primarily intended for DVDs or CDs. If you are a smoker it will affect the laser diode lens, even the quality of the PSU installed in a computer, or background services and motherboard BIOS settings can have an effect.

My original advice still stands, if your burnt CDs skip, jump or refuse to play, try a different computer to make them just to be sure.

Just as soon as I can, I am going to give up on CDs altogether and just use bluetooth, as a computer geek I have always had Windows Smartphones since they were available, and my current one has heaps of storage for MP3s, plus it has TomTom and there's no security problem as it always leaves the car in my pocket as it's my phone!

The downside is, if it fails I've had it. Lost, no directions and no music.

Lasers are adjustable re gain, focus, off set, these are all accessed through the service code, and the adjustments carried out with the buttons on the unit, When someone has worked out how to access the service code, I will tell you how to adjust.

malcolm

 

[nialler]

hispace cds
mac g5 with superdrive (pioneer incidentally)
Toast
iTunes for playlists

works everytime.

 

[bitonw]

Using my Linux box with Serpentine I can even use CDRW (12 speed) in my Audio 30 APS...