CD-R media speed rating

[Jaguar5150]

I am curious to know why there is a set speed rating. For example, I
want to burn a CD in my new 52x burner, but only have 32x media.
Supposedly I can't burn to that media at 52x. I was looking around on
the internet for an answer, but as I am sure you would be aware, trying
to search for anything with the words CD-R, Media, Burner, etc. will
only get you "sponsored" results.

Can anyone link to a specifc location that will explain the answer? It
can be technical documents or in laymans terms. I looked briefly
through the FAQ posted elsewhere in this group, but didn't see the
specific question to which I am looking for an answer.

Much appreciated!

[smh]

.. --------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------

Jaguar5150 wrote: I am curious to know why there is a set speed rating. For example, I want to burn a CD in my new 52x burner, but only have 32x media. Supposedly I can't burn to that media at 52x. I was looking around on the internet for an answer, but as I am sure you would be aware, trying to search for anything with the words CD-R, Media, Burner, etc. will only get you "sponsored" results. Can anyone link to a specifc location that will explain the answer? It can be technical documents or in laymans terms. I looked briefly through the FAQ posted elsewhere in this group, but didn't see the specific question to which I am looking for an answer.

To burn at higher speeds, the first thing you need to do is disable the
buffer underrun protection feature. Remember, however, burning at
higher than the rated speed usually makes poor qualty burn.

http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=200&page=Features

SMART-BURN was designed to handle a variety of different situations. If
the media being used is listed in the database located in the drive's
firmware, the drive will use the writing strategy and speed listed. If
the media is not listed in the database, the drive will use a default
strategy. It will run some OPC, or Optical Power Calibration, tests to
check the characteristics and current conditions of the media. From the
results of these tests, the drive can choose the best laser power and
speed for the media being used. If you insert some media of poor
quality, the drive will again start with a default writing strategy, but
will use a variable speed. This means that if problems do pop up while
it is writing, it may change to a lower writing speed so that the
session can complete error free.


http://www.plextor.com/english/support/media_716.htm

The CD and DVD media provided to Plextor by these disc vendors, and
listed on Plextor's Media List, has been factory tested and write
strategies have been added to the firmware of the PX-716 series drives.
Testing has, in some cases, required the firmware to limit the maximum
recording speed to a speed lower than that established by the vendor.

NOTE: AUTOSTRATEGY will develop an appropriate write strategy for media
that is unknown and not in the current firmware write strategy table or
that has been noted to have various quality issues. Media with a "xxAS"
will use AUTOSTRATEGY to develop a suitable write strategy at the speed
noted regardless of the rated speed of the media. It is recommended that
AUTOSTRATEGY remain enabled at all times.


----------------------------------------
Mikey, you are the Slimiest Friggin SOB!
----------------------------------------

--------------------------------------
Mike Richter, were you born with
"Scam Artist" emblazoned on your face?
--------------------------------------

[Graham Mayor]

The speed ratings are a range of speeds at which the media is capable of
accepting a signal. Some discs are sometimes capable of being written
outside the speed envelope, but more usually the speed ratings are somewhat
ambitious and I suspect your 32x media would have a higher error count at
32x write speed than if you were to back it off a touch.

If you want a simple analogy - your car is probably capable of travelling at
100 mph, but the road you travel to work may only allow you to drive at 30
mph. If you drive faster you will either run into other cars or crash into
the scenery. However, take the car onto a long straight traffic free road
and 100 mph should easily be achieved. Your 32X discs are simply slower
roads with more traffic.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<>
Graham Mayor
<>>< ><<> ><<>




Jaguar5150 wrote: I am curious to know why there is a set speed rating. For example, I want to burn a CD in my new 52x burner, but only have 32x media. Supposedly I can't burn to that media at 52x. I was looking around on the internet for an answer, but as I am sure you would be aware, trying to search for anything with the words CD-R, Media, Burner, etc. will only get you "sponsored" results. Can anyone link to a specifc location that will explain the answer? It can be technical documents or in laymans terms. I looked briefly through the FAQ posted elsewhere in this group, but didn't see the specific question to which I am looking for an answer. Much appreciated!