I’ve burned a few audio compilations to CD and have had trouble with the playback within a few months. I went looking for what might be wrong.
Here is what I’ve found:
(1)
I use cheap/bulk CD-R’s. Generally, they’ve always worked fine for burning a program to disc or backing up some data to disc. HOWEVER, these are the same ones that are having problems with playback when burned as audio CDs. The cheap/bulk CD-R’s leave the “foil” on the label side exposed. What does this mean? Well, if you scratch or damage it, it can become unusable. From my experience, audio CDs are even more susceptible. My guess is that you fit less data on an audio CD the way it writes it so a smaller “damaged” area affects more of the physical media. Also, I think that many of the audio players are less able to handle a damaged disk – especially older players.
(2)
WAIT-A-MINUTE! I put a really nice fancy label on my cheap CD and covered all the exposed “foil”. How did it get damaged? Well, it turns out that some of the adhesives in the labels MAY react with the foil and/or dye in the CD and cause problems. Also, a label not applied just right may affect the spin of the CD which can affect the ability to read the data on it. Another problem – especially with those of us who are anal about applying labels – is if you smooth out a bubble under the label, you could be compressing the media and causing damage in that area where you are applying pressure. I have personally had adhesive labeled CDs stop working. Was it because of this stuff? I don’t know, but why take chances – especially if you are giving a CD to someone else and they can’t just reburn it if/when it fails.
(3)
What about just using a marker? I’m not even going to mention ball-point pens. If you are labeling a CD with a ball-point (pressure) pen, then just turn off the internet and never come back again. You should use a felt-tip permanent marker. I guess you could use a non-permanent marker, but umm, what exactly would be the point? However, some solvents and types of inks can actually migrate through the disc surface and – you guessed it – damage the disc.
Geez. Perhaps the RIAA should just point out the futility of it all, eh? One should never even try making a mix CD (of their own music – I’m not looking to have my blog shut down by “the man”).
So, here is what I’m planning to do:
(1)
Continue using the cheap/bulk CDs for non-essential backups, transferring things from place to place, burning an install CD, and sending files to other people (where it then becomes THEIR responsibility to put it somewhere safe).
(2)
For audio CDs I’m going to use the ones that are precoated on the label side – like the ones that already have designs printed on them to look “cool”. Then I’m going to buy a CD safe marker and label them that way. I like the neat look of adhesive labels when I make a compilation and design the jewel case insert and label BUT I don’t want the expense of the labels if they are just going to increase the chance of the CD failing. Then I’ll just go ahead and design the jewel case which is probably going to get tossed aside anyway.
Some of the links I read:
Andy McFadden’s CD-Recordable FAQ (section 7 deals with media)
http://www.cdrfaq.org/faq.html
Understanding CD-R & CD-RW from the Optical Storage Technology Association (they sound impressive, eh?)
http://www.osta.org/technology/cdqa.htm
I’m sure there is a LOT more out there, but this has already taken up too much time this morning! Err… Afternoon now.
If you find this via Google or something – and actually read down this far – and know more than I do on the subject (a likely possibility) please leave me a comment with any additional info. Thanks!