How can a CD player read a disc with "pinholes"?

[KeithH]

I just got a couple old German David Bowie RCA CDs and noticed that when I hold them up to light, there are a fair number of "pinholes". I can see right through the disc in several spots. Both discs play just fine, and I was able to burn them to CD-Rs on my computer. How is that possible? I know a little about error correction, but how can players compensate for what appears to be missing parts of the disc? I thought my player would get hung up or there would be audio dropouts. Nope. The discs sound just fine. :confused:

[Grant]

Error correction. CD players use error correction schemes like interleving to correct for lost or damaged data.

[KeithH]

Grant, thanks. I figured it was error correction. It's amazing that a player can account for pinholes. Just amazing to me.

[aashton]

Keith

If you ever suffer from insomnia and want to read about error correction here is a link to a link in a previous thread witha similarish subject

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=59534&highlight=error+AND+correction#post59534

All the best - Andrew

[KeithH]

Andrew, thanks. I'm stuck inside due to a major snowstorm, so I've got time on my hands. :)

[lv70smusic]

If you think about how fast a cd spins, it makes a little more sense.

[KeithH]

lv70smusic, I did consider the revolutions per minute. Still, I am surprised that a disc with pinholes is playable.