CD copying

[Paul C.]

OK, I have a question, the answer to wich may be very obvious to some.... Let's say I buy a new computer, but I don't want to splurge on a pricey sound card yet - I'm prepared to wait a while before I get into doing nice LP to CD transfers. So I get a computer with a cheap sound card, or even one that has onbaord sound on the motherbaord.

My question is: can I still do perfect copies of CDs or parts thereof, with such a system? If I use a ripping program such as EAC, do I completely bypass the soundcard or sound chip/codec?

[Sckott]

Yes.

[Paul C.]

good answer.....

Is a sound card of any use at all in the process of making bit-for-bit copies of CDs? I've noticed that some higher end sound cards make a point of saying that they allow bit-for-bit copying of CDs - I presume this means that you can cancel any resampling they may otherwise do.

[Sckott]

No.

You cannot make a bit-for-bit copy of a CD by going back into a DAC (Digital Audio Conversion) realm. If you DID, it would not be "perfect". Therefore, if you want a bit-perfect copy, you need to keep the data in its andiginous form, not by providing the sound to go through a step in the process.

The only thing a sound card can do is capture analog audio by using something like Syntrillium's Cool Edit for digital recording, for the home PC.

You don't need an audio card to copy a CD. If you WANT to play an image file before you record it, sure! Ya have to have something to listen to.

So, if you're stuck with crappy on-bord sound, no problem. Worry more that your CD ROM/s can do an accurate stream. After the learning curve, unless you've used EAC, the program will tell you that your copies go sucessfully.

[Paul C.]

thanks - that's a good point about the CD-ROM. Are any CD-ROM drives not up to the task? I seem to recall the CLone-CD website used to have a chart of supported CD-RW drives and supported CD_ROM drives, but now they only have the former.

[Grant]

I find that most CD ROMS that come with computers are usually cheap pieces of sh**! In fact, I used the software that co,mes with Nero to check the DAE on both my CD ROM and my wife's CD ROM on her PC. The one on mine rated a 0. The one on my wife's rated a 2.

I usualy just use the burner to make disc images first, then burn the copy from that. Most CD burners are excellent at DAE.

[Sckott]

Once you get comfortable with the geek speak, I invite you all to check out www.cdfreaks.com Lots of great CDRW Drive reviews, ongoing.

[chip-hp]

Originally posted by Grant
I find that most CD ROMS that come with computers are usually cheap pieces of sh**! In fact, I used the software that co,mes with Nero to check the DAE on both my CD ROM and my wife's CD ROM on her PC. The one on mine rated a 0. The one on my wife's rated a 2.

I usualy just use the burner to make disc images first, then burn the copy from that. Most CD burners are excellent at DAE.

Grant - Please elaborate. What is DAE? Thanks. Chip:)

I did a little research in the meantime ... Is it Digital Audio Extraction?

[Sckott]

Digital Audio Extraction. It's the way a CD ROM can duplicate the data from an audio CD, in this case, accurately.

He's correct in saying that most CDRW drives are most powerful at accurate DAE.