| azimuth40 2003-12-26, 4:09 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by Yaohui
Which CD-R drive and media is the best for music CD burning, and which software is the best for burning music CD. I want something that can burn Hi-Fi grade CD. thanks
CD burning is an international standard and by default they all do the same thing. Since the information is digital and not analog it is all the same that is simply one's and zero's. Drives distinguish themselves based on speed with various brands of blanks, the digital to analog pre-amplifier for playback but there is not much difference anymore, and the ability to do digital transfer of music data. Digital transfer of music data is different for the logic used to copy a CD which just does it as a binary file.
The fact that there is not much difference is what caused the collapse of cd burner prices to well under $50 U.S. Our local Frys sell models for ~$30 daily. The same is rapidly happening to DVD burners with most models offering both plus and minus technologies. 4x DVD burners dropped below $100 U.S. around September as the new 8X models are coming on board along with increased capacity blue laser based ones announced for 2004.
The right media for you will depend on the brand of drive that you purchase. The burning software that is normally included with your drive will calibrate normally to the first blank placed in the drive each burning cycle. If the disk is marginal then the software will reduce the burn speed until it is sure that it will get a good burn. What is a good brand for some is marginal for others. Basically try several until you find one that works at the highest speed with your drive and system. Some brands of media do not play well in some brands of automotive CD players, but work great in Walkmans or home stereo units. Everyone has their opinions so my advice is try several before you invest in 50 or 100 packs of blanks. I personally have a problem with memorex but have good luck with imation in the 5 burners in my systems. However one of the burners does not like imation RW blanks.
Be careful of cheap shiny silver tops because they are made to be printed on or have paper sticker applied. Most people do not realize that it is the top of a CD that must be protected, as blanks just have reflective foil on top with or without a protective lacquer coating. If it is shiny even with the coating then it can be scratched even with a fingernail. Normally lacquer coated blanks will leave shiny areas to show printed text such as speed and brand. |