I know this can get heavy at times...
I understand that there are a few consumer CD writing programs that will print non-documented RedBook discs.
CD Creator, Roxio... I don't know anymore.
The way I see it, if I can't adjust markers BY FRAME - If I can't set the pause before the first track MANUALLY - If I can't print out a frame-accuarate PQ log - I assume that it's NOT a RedBook disc.
That being said, the program may be writing to RedBook standards automatically. However, I used to broker replication - I've had projects come in and I'd ask "This is RedBook, right?" They'd say "Yeah, here's the sheet - The disc is a clone and we're keeping the original."
Which, for the most part, is fine.
But, when the project came back, there were 2,000 CD's that had to be destroyed. Instead of cloning the master disc, they wrote a new disc with a new TOC. Even in Disc-at-once mode, the disc was NOT written to the ISO RedBook standard for audio. Some players would play it, others wouldn't.
I even started a "RedBook Transfer" service where I simply extract audio digitally and place/replace markers, put in 12 frames before the downbeat, etc. Then, I burn a DOCUMENTED RedBook disc. That way, there are no surprises later. "Cheap insurance" many consider it.
Hope that helps a bit...
John Scrip -
www.massivemastering.com