The following is intended to be parts of a primer on recordable Compact Disc formats. I have favored simple expression over technical detail. For that, I urge you to check other resources, as found in the URLs. In particular, the information from vendors is authoritative, where the following is not. The focus is on PC's and Windows; those with Unix or Mac systems are welcome to translate to the extent possible. (I try not to write about things I don't know.)
Inputs are invited for corrections and for additional topics. Best of all would be a draft for posting here; it will get you a byline and international exposure. (Great for the resume, you know.)
Before you begin Absurdly simple information
Why now? Is this the time for you to get into
CD-Recordables?
Getting started making a CD-ROM
Getting smart - information sources on the Internet
Terms of art
CD-DA - Audio on CD
MEDIA
Media Design and Durability
A Happy Medium and how to find it
Words about Media types and properties
Longevity of Media
Rebadging - Who Made This??
A Blank is not Blank
Erasable Media
Erasing
Disc Speeds
Bits as they are recorded
It's not all Ones and Zeroes
Writing Speed
Writing Faster and Better
Counting on Errors
Read Errors
Isolating Errors
Interpreting Tests
Keep it Clean
The Table of Contents
Backup
What the Manufacturers Say
The life of a recordable disc
AUDIO RECORDING
ABC: Audio Basics for CD-R
Analogue Audio I
Analogue Audio II
It doesn't sound good!
DAE - Digital Audio Extraction
Snap, Crackle and Pop on your discs?
DAO-SAO-TAO
Block Boundaries
Cleaning audio
Balancing Sound
Clicks - a Recap
MP3 to CD-DA
An MP3 Test NEW June 2006
Archiving Audio REVISED October 2007
Correcting Pitch
Sound Cards
Audio Losses: Pressed vs. Recordable
The CDDB and Protected Audio Discs
Audio Tape
VIDEO
Video Notes
MPEG - compressed video and audio
VCD - Video Compact Disc
Making a VCD from the wrong MPEG
Compression, a second try at explanation
FILE TYPES
Common Files and Uninstalling
Data storage - how much and how many
Formats with data and ... other stuff
Arithmetic 101
WAV Files explained, but not simplified
MP3 Encoding
MP3 for the Perfectionist
Photo Facts
Short File Names Long explains(?) the logic(?) behind
SFN's.
Formats for Mastering and UDF
Multisession
UDF - PACKET WRITING
Packet writing
Packet writing - Intermediate
Why Packets?
The UDF Session
Compression Caution
OTHER ISSUES
Buffer Underrun
Firmware - it makes your device run
The ASPI Layer
Labelling your discs
Psychic Software
All things SCSI
Remembering History
Intertrack Gap and Burn Proof
Oversize and Overburning
Readin', Writin', Speedin'
Writing DVD's
Automating startup
Tips for Win 95
NT Notes
Standalone CD recorders and Digital Audio media
Standalone DVD recorders
Configuring your storage
A 650-MB WWW Site (one format for CD-ROM)
Interoperability
Ideas for going farther
E-mail me at cdrecording@mrichter.com
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