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This valuable reference book consolidates years of CD-ROM and CD-R disc, drive, and diskette evaluation and troubleshooting experience. Information presented by Dr. Hartke in his "Duplication Quality Tips" column, published since 1992 in "Software Manufacturing News," has been conveniently organized by topic and indexed in this new 224 page Second Edition. Premastering and mastering facilities, replicators, duplicators, manufacturers, distributors, and software publishers can all benefit from the crisp insights that advance the difficult goals of higher quality and lower cost.
DUPLICATION QUALITY TIPS – Expert Guidance on the Following Subjects and Many More:
CD QUALITY: Formats – Longevity – Packaging – Jitter – BLER – Key Quality Indicators
CD-R DISCS: Dye Types – 1X-2X-4X Recording – 63/74/80 Minute Capacities – Media Survey – Recording Tips
CD-ROM DISCS: Repair – Unbalance – Cloudiness – Interchange – E22 and E32 Errors
DISKETTES: Azimuth – Clip Level – Degaussing – ISV – Torque – Window Margin
GENERAL: ISO 9000 – Standards – Specifications – Correlation – Vendor Qualification – Test Equipment – Reference Discs
"In the field of magnetic media and replication, I can think of no finer guide to the pursuit of quality than Dr. Jerome L. Hartke. He combines a deep understanding of the principles of quality management with a highly trained, skillful knowledge of the scientific aspects of media and replication performance." David Webster, Editor and Publisher, Software Manufacturing News.
Improve your performance and that of your organization. Reward key accounts with a gift of this unique book. Express confidence in your staff by presenting them with a personal copy. ORDER TODAY
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Enclose payment by company check, bank draft, or postal money order payable to "Media Sciences, Inc." in U.S. funds on a U.S. bank together with your name, company, and full mailing address. (Do not send cash. Sorry, no personal checks or credit cards – use the above INTERNET link for credit card payments.)
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Media Sciences conducts investigations in areas of importance to the industry. Results are available to interested parties (one or two papers free).
"Test Equipment Correlation" explains why all testers are not the same, resulting in unpleasant surprises when users wrongly assume that they are all accurate. Consistent procedures are necessary to establish and maintain accuracy and correlation.
"High Speed Risks" Minor rewards of high speed writing may be outweighed by major risks. Published in the May 2007 issue of one to one. Also available on this web site at hispeed.html.
"Troubleshooting Tips" Procedures for troubleshooting optical media. Published in the September 2006 issue of one to one. Also available on this web site at trouble.html.
"CD and DVD Tilt" Although tilt is not always measured, high values can cause interchange failure. It is therefore a very important media and drive quality indicator, especially for DVD. Excessive tilt and coma are often caused by a poor disc or high speed writer. Published in the May 2005 issue of one to one. Also available on this web site at tilt.html.
"Defect Management Capabilities of Various DVD Technologies"
Only DVD-RAM currently offers comprehensive, drive-based defect management. Some defect management functions
are optional, according to media standards, therefore users must determine which are operational.
"Why Did the CD or DVD Disc Fail?" Discs that pass electrical quality tests can fail in the field because of mechanical quality issues such as radial or axial runout, thickness, outer rim or center hole diameter, center hole burrs, or unbalance. Available on this web site at whyfail.html.
"Detect Logical CD Defects" Successful CD file exchange requires conformance of volume and file structures to ISO 9660. Defects result from flawed recording software or improper operator choices. Published in the May 2003 issue of medialine. Also available on this web site at logical.html.
"High Speed CD-R Risks" Successful high speed recording depends on many subtle measures that must be properly implemented by both disc and drive manufacturers. Published in the February 2003 issue of medialine. Also available on this web site at fastcdr.html.
"Why CD-Rs Fail" Analysis of test results showed that 78% of field failures had multiple defect sources from discs, writers, formats, and handling. Published in the October 2002 issue of medialine. Also available on this web site at cdrfail.html.
"Irradiation of CD Discs Sent by U.S. Mail" Tests conducted on CD-ROM and CD-R discs indicated that electron beam irradiation of the type used to sterilize U.S. mail does not impair media interchange. Published in the July 2002 issue of medialine. Available on this web site at radiate.html.
"Measures of CD-R Longevity" Excellent longevity could be obtained, but dye type was not the controlling element, and BLER was not a universal quality indicator. Available on this web site at longev.html.
"CD-R Media Evaluation" Significant variations in CD-R disc quality were observed. Published in the May 18, 1998 issue of Software Fulfillment News, and in the October 1998 issue of one to one. Also available on this web site at survey.html.
"Is Quality Certification Necessary" Certification listing to ISO Standards support higher quality at lower cost. Published in the March 15, 1996 issue of Software Manufacturing News.
"How to Make the Most of Training" Management expectations, preparatory steps, and followup action that optimize the benefits of training programs. Published in the June 15, 1995 issue of Software Manufacturing News.
"Accuracy of PTB Reference Material" Documents low measurement uncertainty and provides recommended procedures for correlation. Presented at the July 5, 1993 Magnetic Test Methods Seminar in Braunschweig, Germany.
"Diskette Torque Measurements" Shows wide variations between disks and discusses correlation problems. Presented at the July 5, 1993 Magnetic Test Methods Seminar in Braunschweig, Germany.
"Relationships Between Diskette Resolution and Peak Shift" Co-authored with Hans Harcken, PTB. Presents results for 3½" and 5¼" Diskettes. Presented at the July 5, 1993 Magnetic Test Methods Seminar in Braunschweig, Germany.
"Effects of 130 mm (5¼") Jackets on Diskette Parameters" Documents correlation problems related to warped jackets. Presented at the July 5, 1993 Magnetic Test Methods Seminar in Braunschweig, Germany.
"Definitions of Window Margin" Documents different approaches and recommends relative methods. Published in the June 15, 1993 issue of Software Manufacturing News.
"Position Sensitivity of Extra Bit Errors" Demonstrates 2:1 variations in extra bit thresholds across a track and identifies three different sources of position sensitivity. Presented at the October 28, 1992 Seminar Test Methods for Diskettes in Williamsburg, Virginia.
"Super Bit Errors" Defines a new amplitude-related error and shows the relationship between super bit/extra bit errors and loss of window margin. Presented at the October 28, 1992 Seminar Test Methods for Diskettes in Williamsburg, Virginia.
"Diskette Low Frequency Response" Explains shouldering, droop, and special needs of the GCR format. Presented at the October 28, 1992 Seminar Test Methods for Diskettes in Williamsburg, Virginia.
"Accuracy of Overwrite Measurements" A review of measurement accuracy and methods to improve overwrite results. Presented at the February 7, 1992 meeting in Orlando of ANSI Technical Committee X3B8.
"Overwrite Limit of 3½" 1 MB Diskettes" Data indicating that the present 125% maximum overwrite limit should be increased to 150%. Presented at the February 7, 1992 meeting in Orlando of ANSI Technical Committee X3B8.
"Interchangeability of 1 MB and 2 MB Diskettes" Test results that describe the risks of writing 1 MB diskettes in 2 MB drives. Presented at the September 21, 1989 meeting in Santa Clara of ANSI Technical Committee X3B8.
"Sensitivity of Extra Bit Errors to Test Drives" Analysis of types of extra bit errors, their dependence on magnetized drive heads, test drive qualification and operation, and error risks of reading 1 MB diskettes in 2 MB drives. Presented at the February 23, 1989 meeting in Las Vegas of ANSI Technical Committee X3B8.
"2M-byte Diskettes Need Special Tests for Quality Control" A study of noise sources, specifications, and test methods. Presented at the May 1988 meeting in Boston of ANSI Technical Committee X3B8 and published in the March 3, 1988 issue of EDN.
The following publications can be obtained from the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Lab. 1.41, Postfach 33 45, D-38023 Braunschweig, Germany, Tel: +49 531 592 14 10, Fax: +49 531 592 10 15
"Diskette Test Linearity" Hans Harcken and Jerome L. Hartke demonstrate nonlinearities that cause poor correlation. PTB-1.41.93-1, Braunschweig, July 1993. Presented at the July 5, 1993 Magnetic Test Methods Seminar in Braunschweig, Germany.
"Application of Secondary Reference Diskettes in Testers or Certifiers" Jürgen Hartmann, Hans Harcken, and Jerome L. Hartke provide recommendations that support correlation. PTB-MA-30, Braunschweig, July 1993.
This publication contains helpful information on the latest quality issues as well as information on new services available from Media Sciences. Provided free of charge to qualified professionals upon request. Back issues are available upon request.
Limited quantities of the following issues of our Media Monitor newsletter are available upon request. One or two copies will be provided at no charge. Topics covered in each issue are listed below.
February 2007 High Speed Risks (writer and media quality may not equal that of lower speeds). Users report read failures yet the manufacturer says the discs pass all tests - who is right?
May 2006 Troubleshooting Tips (how to constructively manage quality problems). Is UDF required for all DVD discs?
February 2005 CD and DVD Tilt. Are CD and DVD Discs Reliable?
October 2003 Detect Logical CD Defects. Do We Really Need Flawless Discs?
February 2003 High Speed CD-R Risks. Why Do Low BLER DIscs Fail In Some User Drives?
September 2002 Why CD-Rs Fail. High Speed CD-R Problems.
October 2001 High Speed CD-R Testing. Why Is CD Disc Delamination, Cracking, Shattering, and Warping Becoming More Frequent?
May 2001 High-Speed CD Recorders. Logical CD Quality Problems. 90 Minute CD-R Discs. Sensitivity of Single Beam Pickups to Certain Defects, Requirements of ISO 9660.
January 2001 Fragile CD Disc Problems. CD and DVD Unbalance. Disc Longevity.
February 2000 Why Discs Fail. Why Some DVD Drives Cannot Read CD-R and CD-RW Discs. Dealing with Cross Correlation-Every Day.
September 1999 CD Testing. Non-Reproducible E22 and E32 Errors and Field Failures. Resources! Resources! Resources!
March 1999 CD-R Recorder Testing. CD Test Correlation. Radial Acceleration. Vendor Qualification.
September 1998 Unrecorded CD-R Testing. Media Survey. Why do CD discs fail in some drives?
January 1998 Free CD-R Test. ATime Conversion Graph.
March 1997 Why Teach? Be Informed. Why is it Difficult to Write High Quality CD-R Discs. "Why Data Verification is Not Enough" by Gordon Rudd of Clover Systems (Part Two).
September 1996 Web Page. Laboratory Accreditation. 74 min. and 63 min. CD-R. High Speed Dupe Problems. "Why Data Verification is Not Enough" by Gordon Rudd of Clover Systems (Part One).
OUT OF PRINT January 1996 Why Bother to Test CD-ROM Discs? CD-ROM and CD-R Test Programs. Certification Listing Program.
OUT OF PRINT September 1995 Diskette Certification Program Transferred. Why Increased Quality Certification Activity? How to Make the Most of Training.
OUT OF PRINT March 1995 ISO PLUS Quality Certification. Most Useful Test Equipment. Quality Alert.
OUT OF PRINT September 1994 Diskette Precompensation. Why Test Duplicated Diskettes?
OUT OF PRINT May 1994 Why Test Blank Disks? "Diskette Test Linearity" Paper Available From PTB. Outline of Diskette Testing Service from Media Sciences.
OUT OF PRINT August 1993 Diskette Testing at the PTB. 4D INSTITUTE Announced. What Is the Long Term Stability of Diskettes? "Optical Media - A Technology Overview" by Mark Rogers of Verbatim (Part Two).
OUT OF PRINT April 1993 Modern Quality Methods. ISO 9000. How Does Loss of Amplitude Occur During Duplication? What is Six Sigma? "Optical Media - A Technology Overview" by Mark Rogers of Verbatim (Part One).
OUT OF PRINT August 1992 Duplicated Disk Testing. Total Quality. When Is Full Surface Certification Required? Drive Test Equipment. "Bitten by Bad Bytes?" by Bill Proctor (3½" DD Not Usable as HD).
OUT OF PRINT April 1992 Diskette Test Methods Conference. Is Degaussing Necessary? Is a 100 Disk Sample Needed for Certification? 4 mm and 8 mm Helical Scan Tape Testing Service. Format Course Available. "Curve Fit" Software.
OUT OF PRINT March 1991 Dysan "Interrogator Plus" Drive Testing. SPC Course. Quality Manual and Specifications.
OUT OF PRINT October 1990 Reference Diskettes. Extra Bit Calibration Service. Services from Media Sciences.
