Background Information

What is a CD-R?

A CD-R is an optical disc that can be used for recording only once (though recording can be done in several steps at different times, until the maximum capacity is reached). During the recording, the laser changes the optical properties of a dye layer on the disc. The recorded information can be read in almost exactly the same way as a conventionally pre-recorded CD-Audio or CD-ROM, ensuring that the recorded CD-R is fully compatible with any CD-Audio or CD-ROM player.

How do you record a CD-R?

To burn a CD-R, you need an audio CD-R recorder for the stereo system or a CD-R recorder and a PC. You'll also need recording software, such as Easy CD Creator, WinOn CD or Nero Burning ROM. During a recorder's initial operation, the required drivers will be automatically installed by the operating system.

Example:

At 4x recording speed, a capacity of between 10 and 13 mW is required. The recorder will automatically adapt the laser performance and the recording strategy to the properties of the blank CD-R inserted, since the recording units have an internal table that contains the basic data for the most important brand-name blanks. Thus, no-name blanks have a higher risk of not being recorded properly. The table should be updated when new types of blanks are put on the market. This so-called firmware-update can be downloaded from the website of the recorder manufacturer.

How do you play a CD-R?

A recorded CD-R can be used just like a conventional CD-Audio/CD-ROM. CD-Rs on which music has been recorded can be played in a CD player, while CD-Rs containing computer data can be read in a CD-ROM drive. Of course, you can also use the CD-R recorder as a player.

The recording and playout speeds depend on the discs and recording unit you use. The unit label gives an indication of what's possible.

Example:

A label "40/12/40" contains the following information:
40  max. recording speed for a CD-R
12  max. recording speed for a CD-RW
40  Playout speed for all CD-ROM, CD-R/CD-RW media

What is a CD-RW?

A CD-RW is a re-recordable disc that uses the so-called "phase change" technology to facilitate repeated recordings. The information layer of the disc can be put into two different states by heating it via laser: crystalline (structured state) and amorphous (unstructured state).

Amorphous states reflect less light when they are read and thus form an information unit. This state change can be repeated at least 1000 times, but has already been performed up to 10,000 times.

How do you record a CD-RW?

CD-RWs can be recorded in the same way as CD-Rs; using an Audio recorder for the stereo system or a CD-RW recorder with a PC (make sure the recorder shows the "rewritable logo").

How is a CD-RW played?

To play a CD-RW, you need a MultiRead-capable player. This means that CD-RWs on which music has been recorded must be played on a MultiRead-capable CD player, while CD-RWs containing computer data must be read in a MultiRead-capable CD-ROM drive. Nearly all new CD-ROM drives are MultiRead drives.

Of course, you can also use the CD-RW recorder as a player. The recording and playout speeds depend on the disc and recorder used.

What is a DVD Recordable?

A DVD-R can be used for recording once, with a capacity of 4.7 GB. During recording, the laser changes the optical properties of a dye layer on the disc, with the written area appearing as a dark mark. Sequences of highly reflective unrecorded areas and dark marks contain the recorded information, which can be read in almost exactly the same way as a conventionally pre-recorded DVD (with either data or video contents). This ensures that the recorded DVD-R is fully compatible with most DVD-Video or DVD-ROM players.

How do you record a DVD Recordable?

To record a DVD-R, a video recorder for DVDs or a DVD recorder and a PC are needed. You'll also need recording software, such as B's Recorder Gold or Nero Burning ROM. During a recorder's initial operation, the required drivers and the recording software will be automatically installed by the operating system.
To record, press "record" on your video recorder or, on the computer, drag and drop files within you recording software (please see the manufacturer's manual for details).

What is a recordable MiniDisc?

A recordable MD is a unique format based on magneto optical properties. Information is stored by a magnetic head on the laser-heated recording layer, whereas readout can be done by laser light. A MiniDisc can be re-recorded up to 1 million times in a MD recorder. The small size of 6.4 centimeter makes it the perfect solution for mobile music pleasure.

Because MiniDiscs only hold one fifth of the information a compact disc stores, data compression is needed in order to achieve the full 74 or 80 minutes of music. The compression system used for MiniDisc recording ("Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding" - ATRAC) makes sure only the smallest differences in sound quality are caused by the compression.

How do you record a MiniDisc?

Today there is a wide variety of MiniDisc devices available. The smallest recorders fit easily in a pocket, together with a few blank discs. These recorders offer superb playback quality and some also have facilities to record on the move. Hi-Fi recorders offer the best overall quality and are also easier to handle, while having much more versatile editing features. A Hi-Fi MD unit can also be linked to virtually any other audio equipment used for recording personal music contents.