Frequently Asked Questions About CD-R and CD-RW Discs

Please contact Media Sciences if your questions are not answered on these pages.

What are "audio" rated CD-R discs? Are they of higher quality?

Although there is no definition for "audio" CD-R discs, special audio discs designed for Consumer Audio Applications are used to copy commercial CD-Audio discs having copyrighted contents. They do not have any unique quality status. Such discs may not record in ordinary CD writers, only in special audio writers designated for Consumer Audio Applications. Ordinary CD-R discs will not record in such a writer. This is for the purpose of copyright protection, and special CD-R audio disc prices include copyright payments.

Special unrecorded CD-R audio discs designed for Consumer Audio Applications contain unique Disc Application Codes in ATIP, contained in the lead-in area, that enforce the above rules. These identify the CD-R disc as a Special Purpose Disc for Restricted Use, and carry a registered Identification Code controlled by Philips Consumer Electronics BV. Special audio writers enforce these rules, and apply both a RID Code and an SCMS when recording such a disc.

The RID (Recorder IDentification) Code identifies the registered manufacturer of the special audio writer, and contains both a type code and unique recorder number. Registration is controlled by Philips Consumer Electronics BV.

The SCMC (Serial Copy Management System) identifies a recorded disc as either not copyright protected, copyright protected, or as a home copy of a copyright protected original. In the latter case, further duplication of that copy is blocked by the special audio recorder.