Blank home audio CD-R's & computer CD-R's

[John Carsell]

I was having a discussion yesterday with a friend. He's new to CD-R burning and does them on his computer. Myself on the other hand do all mine on a Pioneer home audio CD recorder.
I told him that I couldn't use his computer CD-R blanks for my home audio burning. They're not compatable.
He's curious though, if you can use home audio blank CD-R's for computer use. I don't think you can. However I'm not 100% sure.
He also wants to know that if he is able to use home audio blanks are they're any advantages (certainly not price) like longer storage life, better sound etc. I think if he uses good quality computer CD-R blanks from the git-go like Maxell Pro's, that might be the best way.

What do recommend for him?

[MagicAlex]

Yes...you can use CD-R Music blanks for computer audio and data storage. Works exactly the same. I just buy music CD-Rs and use them for everything since I use both my computer and a standalone unit. It does end up saving me money in the long run.

[mcow1]

If I remember, the only difference between music and data cd-r is a licensing fee is paid on music cd-rs. There is a code on there also which I believe may keep standalones from using data cds but not 100% sure on that

[MagicAlex]

Originally posted by John Carsell
I think if he uses good quality computer CD-R blanks from the git-go like Maxell Pro's, that might be the best way.

What do recommend for him?

I meant to post earlier that I get Maxell 80 minute music CD-Rs from Sam's Club for only $14.99 a 50 spindle and they are manufactured in Japan. Good quality at a great price and I can use them for everything.

[Grant]

Originally posted by mcow1
If I remember, the only difference between music and data cd-r is a licensing fee is paid on music cd-rs. There is a code on there also which I believe may keep standalones from using data cds but not 100% sure on that

This 100% correct!

I use the computer method, and use Fuji music blanks and Maxell Pro because they are both made in Japan by Taiyo Yuden.

But, for quickie jobs I will use Imation, and right now I am trying to use up a package of Sony CD-Rs. Why? Because I have read disturbing reports that the Sonys are now made by some cheapo company in Taiwan.

I will not use TDK. I have too much of a bad history with them.

[Bob Lovely]

Guys,

For reasons beyond my ability to understand, my HHB pro recorder has particular tastes about what CD-R stock that it likes. Generally, it appears to prefer 650mb CD-R's over 700mb CD-R's. Additionaly, it likes all Gold CD-R's regardless of data capacity. I does not like Maxell Pros but it does like the Maxell Music CD-R's (how odd). It likes the Memorex Cool Colors 700mb CD-R's just fine but does not care for the regular Memorex Music CD-R's. It appears to like Fuji's but occasionally, it does not like those either. Ironically, it likes the cheapo Prism and Imation CD-R's but does not like the SONY CD-R's made in Taiwan. I have had to go through a lot of CD-R stock in order to find discs that my recorder seems to like.

Oh well!

Bob:sigh:

[John Carsell]

Originally posted by Bob Lovely
Guys,

For reasons beyond my ability to understand, my HHB pro recorder has particular tastes about what CD-R stock that it likes. Generally, it appears to prefer 650mb CD-R's over 700mb CD-R's. Additionaly, it likes all Gold CD-R's regardless of data capacity. I does not like Maxell Pros but it does like the Maxell Music CD-R's (how odd). It likes the Memorex Cool Colors 700mb CD-R's just fine but does not care for the regular Memorex Music CD-R's. It appears to like Fuji's but occasionally, it does not like those either. Ironically, it likes the cheapo Prism and Imation CD-R's but does not like the SONY CD-R's made in Taiwan. I have had to go through a lot of CD-R stock in order to find discs that my recorder seems to like.

Oh well!

Bob:sigh:

Bob,

I'd avoid those Taiwanese made CD-R's alltoghter. The quality control over there, if any sucks.

Get the one's made in Japan. They're alot better.

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by John Carsell


Bob,

I'd avoid those Taiwanese made CD-R's alltoghter. The quality control over there, if any sucks.

Get the one's made in Japan. They're alot better.

John,

I concur except that I had to learn that my recorder does not like certain CD-R stock made in Japan either. I suspect, with my recorder (circa 1998), that this is more related to disc surfaces and layers than to the point of manufacture. Further, as a pro recorder, it prefers Pro Gold discs. I have gone through this process of trail and error.

Thanks,

Bob:)

[Jeffrey]

Originally posted by Bob Lovely
Guys,

For reasons beyond my ability to understand, my HHB pro recorder has particular tastes about what CD-R stock that it likes. Generally, it appears to prefer 650mb CD-R's over 700mb CD-R's. Additionaly, it likes all Gold CD-R's regardless of data capacity. I does not like Maxell Pros but it does like the Maxell Music CD-R's (how odd). It likes the Memorex Cool Colors 700mb CD-R's just fine but does not care for the regular Memorex Music CD-R's. It appears to like Fuji's but occasionally, it does not like those either. Ironically, it likes the cheapo Prism and Imation CD-R's but does not like the SONY CD-R's made in Taiwan. I have had to go through a lot of CD-R stock in order to find discs that my recorder seems to like.

Oh well!

Bob:sigh:

Hi Bob,

Geez... ya should have gotten the male HHB. :D

-Jeffrey

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Jeffrey


Hi Bob,

Geez... ya should have gotten the male HHB. :D

-Jeffrey

Yeah, no kidding!

Bob;)

[EC3970]

My stand alone Tascam will burn anything, including CD-RWs (although the Rega grumbles at those )

Why would anyone want to just give money to RIAA? Especially to copy data! Avoid those music discs if you can.


http://www.cds.com/special.htm

[Grant]

Originally posted by Bob Lovely
Guys,

For reasons beyond my ability to understand, my HHB pro recorder has particular tastes about what CD-R stock that it likes. Generally, it appears to prefer 650mb CD-R's over 700mb CD-R's. Additionaly, it likes all Gold CD-R's regardless of data capacity. I does not like Maxell Pros but it does like the Maxell Music CD-R's (how odd). It likes the Memorex Cool Colors 700mb CD-R's just fine but does not care for the regular Memorex Music CD-R's. It appears to like Fuji's but occasionally, it does not like those either. Ironically, it likes the cheapo Prism and Imation CD-R's but does not like the SONY CD-R's made in Taiwan. I have had to go through a lot of CD-R stock in order to find discs that my recorder seems to like.

Oh well!

Bob:sigh:

I'm willing to bet your burner is several years old. Indeed, it seems to have been calibrated to the older dyes, and is not really built for the relatively newer 800MB blanks.

But, Taiyo Yuden makes most Memorex music and the Fuji music blanks. They invented the CD-R. Odd, indeed!

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Grant


I'm willing to bet your burner is several years old. Indeed, it seems to have been calibrated to the older dyes, and is not really built for the relatively newer 800MB blanks.

But, Taiyo Yuden makes most Memorex music and the Fuji music blanks. They invented the CD-R. Odd, indeed!

Grant,

My recorder was manufactured in 1998, yes. By now, I have discovered which CD-R stock that it both likes and dislikes.

Bob

[Grant]

Originally posted by Bob Lovely


John,

my recorder (circa 1998),


Yup! I knew it, and it probably explains it all! See, the newer blanks are also optimised for faster speeds. These newer ones do not burn that well at slower speeds. Right around 1998 is when the very dyes your burner likes were becoming popular. 800MB blanks were not yest popular, as TDK were about the only company that made them at the time, and they were not recommended by any burner manufacturer, nor could many use them.

[Matt]

I second the Japan manufactured CD-R recommendation. At work, when we used to use CD-R's for data back-up, in terms of writing, longevity, durability, etc., Japanese CD-R's always had the edge. Sony, Mitsui, and the old Kodak golds were the ones to swear by.

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Grant


Yup! I knew it, and it probably explains it all! See, the newer blanks are also optimised for faster speeds. These newer ones do not burn that well at slower speeds. Right around 1998 is when the very dyes your burner likes were becoming popular. 800MB blanks were not yest popular, as TDK were about the only company that made them at the time, and they were not recommended by any burner manufacturer, nor could many use them.

Grant,

Yeah, I think you are getting to the heart of the issue that I face. My recorder loves those Pro Gold discs - I know that for sure. You meant 700mb, right?

I have never had a Memorex 700 mb Cool Colors CD-R fail, BTW.

Bob

[Grant]

Originally posted by Bob Lovely


My recorder loves those Pro Gold discs - I know that for sure. You meant 700mb, right?

I have never had a Memorex 700 mb Cool Colors CD-R fail, BTW.

Bob

Yeah, I meant 700MB. Back in June 1998, I had just bought my first computer burner, and the gold dyes were the most popular, and reported to be the most stable at the time. The only trusted CD-Rs were by TDK and Sony. Even back then, the Taiwanese-made blanks by Ritek and (European?) CMC Magnetics had a bad reputation. But Ritek has gained some respectability in some areas, particularly Europe. Those color Memorex CD-Rs are made by Ritek.

I have never had any problems with Ritek or CMC made blanks, except for the Ritek-made ones by TDK. But those first Maxell and Fujis were the worst I have ever used. Every single Fuji I recorded in 1998 has failed, and I was lucky enough to recover the data on them before they completely went to hell. They failed in a matter of just six months to a year after I recorded them!

[Bob Lovely]

Grant,

Thanks for the insughts!

Bob:)