Re: CD-R Blanks

[David Myers <dmgraph@bway.net>]

Todd:

The Philips CDR870, for example, is for audio recording only; you can't
backup computer data with it.  But you can record analog or digital sound
without ever turning on a computer, as easily as recording a cassette.  The
catch is that, as a protection device, you are not allowed to use the
cheaper CDRs sold for data--the machine will reject them.  It seems the
"audio" or "consumer" CDR discs sold are identical to the cheap kind, but
have a code which the machine recognizes.  For this, the industry charges
(typically) an extra FIVE DOLLARS on top of the usual two bucks (what I
paid for a single disc at J & R) for a damned disc, supposedly to pay
people like Janet Jackson and Yanni because it's assumed we're copying
their stuff.  Who ever heard of a 250% tax, for god's sake??

>I don't understand what all the fuss is regarding CD blanks used for
>data versus used for audio.  At the CompUSA I go to I buy a pack of
>5 Verbatim, TDK or Maxell for around $21 or so and they work fine.
>
>No special procedures are needed to make the CD recorder understand
>that I'm recording audio or data to them - either works fine.
>
>The discs play in any CD player I care to try them in and it's a nice
>way to create a limited run of discs for a given project (the most
>current would be the Crash - Gods of Outstate Radio project - I'll
>probably do 20 or so before I'm done with that run).
>
>CD-R discs make a great way of backing up a hard disc, as well.
>
>-Todd.