Glossary of Terms for CD-R/CD-RW's
 
  • buffer under-run
    If your CD-R/CD-RW is interrupted when writing data, a gap is left on the CD, and this makes it unreadable. To reduce the chance of this occuring, CDs write from an internal buffer of around 4Mb. If you insist on playing Quake III while writing CDs, though, the buffer may run dry, and the CD will be unuseable, so it's best to close down all applications and leave your PC alone until the CD writer has finished.

  • burn
    To write data to a CD.

  • CD-DA
    Compact Disc - Digital Audio is the format used to store music on conventional CDs.

  • CD-R
    You can write data to a CD-Recordable disc, but only once. This isn't quite the disadvantage it might appear, because many people have data (digital photographs for example) they want to keep forever anyway.

  • CD-RW
    CD-Rewritable discs are capable of being overwritten multiple times, though not indefinitely - most discs specify a limit of 1,000 times.

  • Close session
    When you've finished creating a CD, your software must carry out a Close session, which involves writing the lead-in and lead-out areas of the disc. You won't be able to read the CD in a normal CD-ROM drive until the Close session process has occured.

  • Digital audio extraction
    Copying CD-DA tracks digitally from your CD drive to your hard drive or to a CD-R.

  • Disc-at-once
    A method commonly used to write audio CDs, where (as you might guess) the CD mastering software writes all the track data at once.

  • Fix
    See Close session.

  • Jewel case
    The plastic case in which CDs are normally stored. These have been specially designed to always shatter when you drop them, thus forcing you to buy more.

  • Lead-in
    The first part of a session, which contains a table of contents defining what the disc contains.

  • Lead-out
    The closing part of a session.

  • Packet writing
    Packet writing software packages like Adaptec's DirectCD allow you to drag and drop files onto your CD-R or CD-RW discs, just like any other drive on your computer.

  • SCSI
    Small Computer System Interface, a speedy means of connecting devices to your computer. You won't be able to use a SCSI CD writer unless you first install a suitable controller card first.

  • Session
    Information is stored on CDs in the form of a session. This consists of a Lead-in area, the data itself, then a Lead-out. Standard CD-Rs only contain a single session, but CD-RW drives now make it possible to create multi-session CDs.

  • TOC
    Acronym for Table Of Contents, the index in the CD Lead-in that holds the location of each CD track.

  • WORM
    Acronym for Write Once Read Many. This is a term applied to drives like CD-R, which can write data to a disc only once.

     

There are many more terms used when working with CD-R/CD-RWs, but the ones here are the ones you should regularly come across.
 
CD-R/CD-RW Tips and Tricks
Using your CD Writer is easy, and normally works well, but sometimes there can be problems. You can minimise these, though, if you learn a few simple tips on the best way to create CDs.
  • Audio File Formats:
    You want to create an audio CD from a collection of mp3 files? If your CD-RW software won't convert mp3 for you, either get a conversion utility (visit ( www.audiotools.co.uk/converters.htm for a list), or use a program that understands mp3, such as Audio Writer ( www.audiowriter.com ) or Media Box ( www.e-soft.co.uk/MP3.htm ).

  • Vinyl Rescue:
    Putting your old vinyl records on CD is easier than you'd think - all you need is a cable that goes from your turntable's line out connector, to the line in on your soundcard.

  • Make Room:
    Writing CDs by copying a disc from a CD-ROM drive to your CD-RW is prone to problems, and you'll get more reliable results by copying an image of the CD to your hard drive, then tranferring that to the CD-RW. You'll need lots of disc space, though - add temporary files and the Windows Swap File, and 1Gb would be a fairly safe minimum.

  • Use the Right Media:
    When writing CD-RW discs at 4x speed, for example, only use media that's rated to work at that speed (it should have a 4x symbol on it) for the greatest reliability.

  • Optimise your Hard Drive:
    Keeping you PC running at peak performance is important to avoid any infamous 'buffer underrun' problems, so defragment your PC occaisionally to speed up disc access.

  • Ready, Steady?
    Treat your PC with extra care when you're burning a CD - if you accidentally knock the drive, the disc may turn out to be unreadable.

  • Disable Screensaver:
    If your screensaver kicks in while creating a CD, then that could also make the disc unuseable, so make you sure disable it before writing begins.

  • Watch what you Write:
    The upper surface of a CD may not be where the data is recorded, but that doesn't mean you can mistreat it. If you must write on it at all, use a special pen designed for the purpose.

  • Handle with Care:
    Audio CDs can take a lot of mishandling, but if you treat CD-R or CD-RW discs in the same way, you're likely to run into trouble. Some basic handling rules:
    • Don't touch the recording surface of the disc, or leave it exposed to dust - put it back in its jewel case as soon as possible.

    • Don't blow on the disc either. If the surface is dirty, only clean it with non-abrasive swabs or cloths designed for the purpose.

    • There's not much point keeping the discs clean if you then place the in a dusty CD-RW tray. Keep the tray closed when you're not using the drive, and check and clean it occaisionally.

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