How is a CDR burned differently than a store bought.

[jagnorm]

I'm sure this topic has probably been brought up before.
Why is it that a store bought CD will last for almost ever, but a CD burned on even a good quality CDR will only last only for a few years or so? How is the burn process different?
Are the blank CDs that are burned on a duplicating machine (like you would get from a musician's store) different than the ones bought for cdrw drives?

I ask this, because I'm in a band and want to build a computer for producing our own CD's.

Which brings up another question...
I know AMD's are best for graphics.
Which would be better for computer in which the main purpose is for Audio/multiple disk copying, AMD or Pentium?

[JohnE.]

Commercial (store-bought) CD's are stamped, not burned. The pits are stamped from a master disc into the blanks when they're still warm/soft.

If I had the cash I'd get an AMD 64, but otherwise I'd go high-end Pentium for a pure DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) even though I currently use AMD for all my multi-track audio.

[jagnorm]

Does the machine in this link burn cd's the same as a cdrw that is for my computer.
http://www.microboards.com/new/artic...30415153052696

[Aaron_J]

Yes, it's the same technology as your cd burner.

[Sixpac_XP]

Wow, that's actually interesting.. so I am adding to this post and wondering if there is a link out there to a unit that "stampes" CD's instead of burning them like regular CDRW's. I am just interested on how it works.. thanks.

[jagnorm]

Originally posted by Sixpac_XP
Wow, that's actually interesting.. so I am adding to this post and wondering if there is a link out there to a unit that "stampes" CD's instead of burning them like regular CDRW's. I am just interested on how it works.. thanks.

That would be a great link to see.

[Aaron_J]

Good article

I have a great book on CD production somewhere around here, all 300+ pages of technical detail.

Here is a condensed summary of the process....

http://www.ee.washington.edu/consele...ard/edward.htm

Robert Richmond

[Sixpac_XP]

Originally posted by Aaron_J
Good article

WOW! cool link.. I had no idea of that stuff at all... cool.

[jagnorm]

Thanks, now I have a good understanding of the difference in the two.
That's a lot of reading , great links RobRich & Aaron_J