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Community Forums => General Chat => Topic started by: Gibdo Master on April 27, 2004, 09:16:47 PM

Title: Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Gibdo Master on April 27, 2004, 09:16:47 PM: So, I was wondering what is the best way to copy a music CD to ensure that the copy has the best quality possible? I noticed on WMP there's an option to use "Windows Media Audio Lossless" to copy CDs, but is this the best way to go? Why don't most other CD burning software have an option like that? Does it really matter in the end?

By the way, what's the best CDR to use?
Title: RE:Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Shift Key on April 27, 2004, 09:30:02 PM: You could technically store all your music as sound waves, but that requires 25MB+ per song. I use CDex to rip my music directly from the CD (up to 320kbps bitrate - about 8MB for a song - I think that's the highest bitrate that MP3 does). Unless you're looking to plug your computer into a home theatre system (or have too much storage space like yours truly ^_^), 192kbps is sufficient for compressed audio.

I really don't like any integrated ripping tools like WMP, because the control is taken away from the user.

Quote
Why don't most other CD burning software have an option like that?
Zuh? When you record an audio CD, you either:
~ Are duplicating a CD directly, which results in no loss of quality when compared to the original
~ Or using compressed audio files, which are decompressed and then written to the disc with certain parts missing. The catch is that the parts missing are hardly noticed. I forget which parts are removed, but I'm sure there's info out there on how and what the MP3 algorithms remove to reduce the size.

Imation is my favourite brand for CDRs, but TDK also do a good disc. I have a spindle of 60 TDK Metallics to use at some stage
Title: RE:Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Gibdo Master on April 27, 2004, 09:39:50 PM: I like to make copies of all of my CDs to play in my car, so I definitely want the quality to be as close to the original as possible.
Title: RE:Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Shift Key on April 27, 2004, 09:45:16 PM: Then just duplicate them. Unless you want to make MP3 CDs, just use Nero or something and the "Copy CD" option. Does exactly as it says
Title: RE:Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Uncle Rich AiAi on April 28, 2004, 02:09:01 AM: Quote
Originally posted by: Shifty
~ Or using compressed audio files, which are decompressed and then written to the disc with certain parts missing. The catch is that the parts missing are hardly noticed. I forget which parts are removed, but I'm sure there's info out there on how and what the MP3 algorithms remove to reduce the size.

My lecturer at uni. told the class the parts which are removed are the sounds we don't hear.
Title: RE:Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Shift Key on April 28, 2004, 03:33:02 AM: Thats some of it, AiAi, but not all. The frequencies we can't hear make up a very small part. I might try and find out which parts are removed (I can't remember where I read about it) if I have some time.
Title: RE: Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Uncle Rich AiAi on April 28, 2004, 03:39:49 AM: Yeah, I knew there was more to it..........but you didn't say you knew about the frequencies part.....
Title: RE:Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Shift Key on April 28, 2004, 04:12:30 AM: Well i knew that part, but if I started discussing it then I knew I'd have to go and find out how it all works. Look what you've done, time for me to trawl for info!!!
Title: RE:Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Uncle Rich AiAi on April 28, 2004, 06:57:36 PM: You should be thanking me!
Title: RE: Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Gibdo Master on April 28, 2004, 07:59:54 PM: I got another question. Does it matter what speed I use when burning the CD? Would it be better to use a slower speed?

Thanks for all the answers so far.
Title: RE:Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Shift Key on April 28, 2004, 10:02:29 PM: If you're not in a hurry, go for a slower speed. Reduces the chance of producing coasters the chances are very slim in today's burners, but if you've got the time, go easy on them
Title: RE: Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: TOY on April 29, 2004, 07:55:29 PM: Gibdo, if you are making an exact copy of a cd their will be no loss of quality. Try Nero as Shifty suggested or Roxio easy cd creator, clone cd, their are tons of programs. As far as the disc, I have used all different brands, they all work fine so get the least expensive. The speed you burn at doesnt really affect the quality of the sound, but burning at slower speeds just gives less chance of error. I let the program choose the speed, works EVERY time.

TOY
Title: RE: Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Gibdo Master on April 30, 2004, 11:02:39 AM: Thanks guys. I guess I was just being a bit paranoid.
Title: RE:Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: manunited4eva22 on April 30, 2004, 03:40:04 PM: CloneCD is especially helpful for cds that try to make it impossible for you to burn them. (read games)
Title: RE:Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Matt on April 30, 2004, 05:19:51 PM: Are you copying drive to drive, or using just 1 CD drive?
Title: RE:Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Shift Key on May 02, 2004, 02:51:18 AM: As far as I understand, he's making copies directly without making images first - so yeah, drive to drive.

And in regards to MP3 compression, the format uses three concepts to compress the file size:
~ There are certain sounds that the human ear cannot hear.
~ There are certain sounds that the human ear hears much better than others.
~ If there are two sounds playing simultaneously, we hear the louder one but cannot hear the softer one.

There is a good article that compares the audio formats in terms of performance (its suprising how far it has come, especially the Fraunhofer Research algorithms, which are giving CD quality sound at about 85kbps) here
Title: RE:Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: manunited4eva22 on May 02, 2004, 08:18:00 AM: I don't know why people want smaller compression formats, especially considering that storage sizes are growing faster than larger compression formats. (Especially audio)
Title: RE: Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Bill Aurion on May 02, 2004, 08:22:11 AM: Because it leaves room for my music...
Title: RE:Best software for copying CDs?
Post by: Gibdo Master on May 02, 2004, 10:49:06 AM: Quote
Originally posted by: Matt
Are you copying drive to drive, or using just 1 CD drive?

I only have one CD drive.