Blank CD-R's

[dirtdog]

Since my last time into a computer store for blank CD's for use in my MasterLink, I see now that most major manufacturers are now offering blank CD's labelled "for Music".... My question is this; do these CD-R's offer any advantage over the other, older style? Or are the manufacturers just putting new labelling on the same basic product and then selling them at what seems to be a 50% or so higher retail price? Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated....I am willing to pay the extra $$$ if these are truly a superior product, but the CD's I have been using have been giving good results. Thanks!

[bvaleria]

Heh-heh...

DirtDog -- if what you're using works for ya - why worry about it? Changing blanks won't give you any sonic improvements, so if you're not having problems reading the blanks you currently use, stick with 'em!

PS - or you could pick one up and try it - but again how would you know its "better" than what you currently use??!!



Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound

[dirtdog]

Ed and Bruce;
Thanks for your responses......I appreciate it! I figured if what I was previously using was working OK, that I had no need to buy the newer, more costly blanks. However, I was curious, and I knew where to go to get the scoop! Thanks again!
Dirtdog

[Neptune]

CDR's labelled "FOR MUSIC" are preprogrammed with SCMS copy protection to keep you from copying a copy of a commercially released CD. It's the type of copy protection built in to all "Consumer" CD Recorders. "Professional" CD Recorders don't have SCMS, or make it available if you want to protect your CD's from copying. The "For Music" CDR's aren't better CDR's, they just cost more because of the SCMS and because of the $$ they pay back to some music corporation because of the copying they assume will happen with non-professional CD Recorders.

[dirtdog]

Neptune;

Thanks for your reply.....it all kinda makes sense to me now!! I guess I won't be so harsh on the manufacturers...I figured it was just a gimmickry to justify higher profit margins. Thanks for the enlightenment.....
Dirtdog

[bvaleria]

Originally posted by Neptune
CDR's labelled "FOR MUSIC" are preprogrammed with SCMS copy protection to keep you from copying a copy of a commercially released CD. It's the type of copy protection built in to all "Consumer" CD Recorders. "Professional" CD Recorders don't have SCMS, or make it available if you want to protect your CD's from copying. The "For Music" CDR's aren't better CDR's, they just cost more because of the SCMS and because of the $$ they pay back to some music corporation because of the copying they assume will happen with non-professional CD Recorders.

Er, no... that's not correct...

SCMS is a bit set within a digital datastream - usually SPDIF. AES/EBU data streams ignore SCMS - it is NOT an attribute of the storage media itself. It was put there to avoid digital transfers from unit to unit... it wouldn't make sense to "burn it" (somehow??) onto the blank CD-R because that would stop you from being able to do ANY digital transfers (even the initial recording you intended to burn in the first place!)

Professional gear usually allows parameter setting to include or ignore SCMS during transfers... consumer gear, on the other hand, always takes the SCMS bit into account.

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound

[Neptune]

But the "Music Only" CDR's are different from Data CDR's, and it's because of SCMS. I looked up lots of info on it before I bought my CD Recorder. I'll try to find some links for you guys.

[bvaleria]

Neptune....

I'm sorry, but you have misunderstood how SCMS gets implemented - SCMS is NOT a media characteristic.

From the Harmony Central site:
(http://www.harmony-central.com/Features/CDRecorder/004.html)

"Standalone CD recorders are made by many of the leading names in audio, including Alesis, Fostex, HHB, Marantz, Philips, Tascam, and Yamaha. Consumer decks (including Philips models 765 and 880, Marantz CD700, and Pioneer PD-R04, PD-R05, PD-R55RW, and PD-R99) are the least expensive. However, they require that you use special CD-Rs (generally designated as "CD-DA," "CD Audio," or "For Music Use Only") that cost several dollars more per disc (the price includes royalties called for by the Audio Home Recording Act). These machines also include the Serial Copy Management System (SCMS), which prevents the making of a digital copy from a digital copy."

As the paragraph clearly demonstrates -it's the CD-RECORDERS themselves that incorporate SCMS, not the media -- and the premium price tag is to compensate for additional royalties....

Trust me... I wouldn't lie to ya...

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound

[Neptune]

I trust you, I apparently misunderstood the details about SCMS. The Audio Only CDR's must have something different about them, because the consumer CD Recorders can only record on those. What exactly is the difference in the media itself? Something tells the recorder which type of CDR it is, and keeps the consumer machines from recording on regular data CDR's, while the professional machines can use either type.

[bvaleria]

*That* is a good question - and one I don't happen to know the answer to... if my pro gear can use "music only" CD-Rs as easily as standard CD-R blanks, then the media can't be all that different...

Anyone else out there know?? Ed???

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound

[bvaleria]

Well... I guess I put my foot in my mouth... Neptune - you're right about the "For Music Only" CD-Rs.... They are pitted differently.... Hey, I guess I DON'T know everything after all!!!

I'd wouldn't EVER use them personally if that's the case - too much danger of gear incompatibility - they say pro gear works NOW, but that may not always be the case in the future!

Ya gotta HATE these crappy "copy-prevention" schemes these guys come up with...........



Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound