CD-DA versus CD-R : A batch of Responses (text, sans attachments)

["Jean-Pierre Fouche" <J.Fouche@xxxxxxxx>]

Apologies to those who can't easily read attachments.  here's a text version
of the responses to the CD-DA/CD-R question.  Each email is separated by a
long solid line.

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I'm sure you received many responses, but if not I would likely choose
audio CD, but I would make the recording with some of the newer equipment
that can sample at 24 bit, with 96kHz sample rate.  This will offer much
better fidelity for the future.
Jean-Pierre Fouche

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M. Fouche,
Your question about recording a large archive was forwarded to a jazz list
where I read it.
I am no expert on recording, but am a computer professional a jazz musician
and an
avid listener to records.

You should really create something on CD which ULTIMATELY(!) can be turned
into the
Digital Audio format so that it can be played on normal CD players. However,
you can
stage this process by recording a single file to a CD, if you make sure that
your music
source retains appropriate and consistent gaps of silence between "tracks".
Then
you can use a program such as "Digital CD Recording Studio" by Macmillan
software
(http://www.macmillansoftware.com)
or Easy CD Creator (Pro version) to read the resulting large wav file (if
you have
memory large enough -- to divide it at the gaps and turn it into a set of
files (track)
which can then be written to audio CD.  -- Remember the latter can be used
on both
computers and normal CD players, so it is the ultimate desirable format.
Thus by
choosing to write one large wav file (if done right) you have NOT precluded
the
ultimately desirable form -- to be done by yourselves, or later by some
other interested
party.

Regards and " bon chance," - or something like that.
Craig I. Johnson
CIJ Associates, Computer ( Consulting in Java)
or CIJ (Cornets in Jazz) -- co-leader of Onion River Jass Band
--- Vermont, USA

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If playback compatability is of concern I would choose CD-DA.  Users can
play it not only in standard CD players but most computers as well.  As
far as the extra time to PQ code a disc, an experienced engineer with good
tools can do that in a matter of minutes.


**********************************
David Ackerman
Audio Preservation Engineer
Archive World Music
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138

Telephone: 617-495-2794
Fax: 617-496-4636
e-mail: dackerm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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_

     Dear Jean-Pierre,
         Yes, we prefer "Orange Book" CD-Rs (which gets converted to "Red
     Book" once the table of contents is finalised). The way we do it is
     not to use a computer at all (except for printing the inlay cards and
     cataloguing the results). We use audio CD-R machines. This may imply a
     rehearsal to get necessities of life (like durations and "out cues",
     so we know when tracks end). Alternatively, we use the CD-RW format
     (Compact Disc Rewritable), which allows you to erase the previous
     track if something goes wrong without losing the whole thing. We
     thereupon "clone" the result, making (usually) two copies on two
     different makes of CD-R blanks to avoid "putting all our eggs in one
     basket", as we say in England! Many of our contractors use digital
     editors or Exabyte systems or other ways of "massaging the data"
     before burning the CD-R; but that's what we do here. You can always
     add another "track flag" by pushing a button as the tape plays (or
     whatever) without stopping; but it can only be done at x1 speed.
         Hope this answers your question,
     Peter

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It has been my experience when determining the best access for archival
materials is to first determine who will be using the information and what
is the easiest form of access that can be provided to them. What
equipement are you providing your patrons to access the new medium?  Will
you circulate the new product? You're user population should be the
driving force in this.

As a musician, I would much prefer to have a CD with individual tracks.  I
would not want to stare at a blank computer while I listened to the
particular track that I wanted (however, if I had access to word
processing, etc. I could take notes while I listened. The same could
also be said about pencil, paper (regular and staff) and portable CD
player).

I also feel that CD-ROMs are at risk of being fazed out with the
availability of DVDs.  Note that I'm saying at risk of and not
going to, however, U.S. government CD-ROMs are already undergoing this
transition since more information can be stored on DVDs.  My experience
with DVDs also tells me they are easier to use than CD-ROMs.  If all
CD-ROM producers follow suit, how long will it be before our new computers
did not read CD-ROMs but only DVDs (just like 5 1/4 and 3 1/2 floppys).
CD-ROMs will probably  be around for decades still yet but these are the
things that would be going through my mind in making a decision.

****************************************************************************
***
Guy Frost
Government Documents Librarian
Reference Services/Government Documents
Odum Library, Depository 0125
Valdosta State University


Valdosta, GA 31698
(912) 245-3748 (Office)
(912) 245-3743 (Documents)
(912) 333-5862 (FAX)
E-mail: gfrost@xxxxxxxxxxxx
URL: http://books.valdosta.edu/gov/gov.html

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Dear Mr Fouche
Your questions are ahead of me. I have yet to get to transfer-formats for
the collection I am working on, although I will begin to address that issue
in a few weeks. I had wondered about exactly the question you posed though.
I thank you for your passing on what you know.
>From the outside, it seems to me that while it may take longer, CD-DA is
the option to pursue because it allows for the widest possible access to
the content. A good collection is an accessible collection. However, I do
not know what the audience for your collection is, and/or how access fits
into your mandate.
Thank you for your input. I know I have learned from you. While my feedback
is more theoretical than constructive I hope it is of some use.

William Meredith