RCA DRC600N user manual About CD-R discs, About MP3 files copied on to CD-Rs

CD-Rsand MP3 files (Recommendations)(1)

About CD-R discs

This unit can play most CD-R discs. However, depending on the condition of the CD-recorder, computer and the disc used, you may find that not all discs will play successfully. When playing a CD-R disc, it is completely normal for the unit to take up to 20 seconds to recognize the disc before starting to play. If the disc is not recognized after a period of 20 seconds, remove the disc, and then insert it again. If after several trials, this disc cannot be recognized, make sure you have followed the recommendations below or try another type of disc. There are two main types of recordable CDs:

-CD-R audio discs (for music only), which should be used when recording with Hifi CD-audio recorder.

-CD-R Data discs are designed for recording via a CD writer on a personal computer. Use these discs as a preference.

•As a preference, opt for CD-Rs instead of CD-RWs (rewritable CDs) as, in certain cases, CD-RW playback may be faulty.

•As a preference, opt for 74-min (650 Mb) CD-Rs instead of 80-min (700 Mb) CD-Rs.

•Close all other applications on the computer to ensure reliable CD-R disc recording.

•Use reliable, good-quality CD writing software.

•Whatever the real recording capacity of the CD-R, do not use more than 630 Mb of recording space on the disc.

Make sure that the recording is “long enough” to be played. If the recording is too short, disc identification time may be increased.

About MP3 files copied on to CD-Rs

In the case of CD-R MP 3 discs, please follow all the recommendations for CD-R above, plus the comments below:

Format

•Your MP3 files should be ISO 9660 or JOLIET format. ISO 9660 format and Joliet MP3 files are compatible with Microsoft’s DOS and Windows, and with Apple’s Mac. These two formats are the most widely used.

Name

•When naming your MP3 files do not exceed 12 characters, and place “.mp3” as the file extension. General name format of: Title.mp3. When composing your title ensure that you use 8 characters or less, have no spaces in the name, and avoid the use of special characters including ( . , / , \ , = ,+).

Compression

•Use a decompression transfer rate of at least 128 kb/sec (kilobytes/second) when recording MP3 files. Sound quality with MP3 files basically depends on the rate of compression/decompression you choose. Getting audio CD quality sound requires an analog/digital sampling rate, that is conversion to MP3 format, of at least 128 kb/sec and up to 160 kb/sec. However, choosing higher rates, like 192 kb/sec or more, only rarely give even better sound quality. Conversely, files with sampling rates below 128 kb/sec will not be played properly.

Protection

•Do not try recording copyright protected MP3 files. “securized” files are encrypted and code protected to prevent illegal copying. These files are of the following types: Windows Media™ (registered trade mark of Microsoft Inc) and SDMI™ (registered trade mark of The SDMI Foundation). You must not copy such files.

1.Important: The above recommendations cannot be taken as a guarantee that the DVD player will play MP3 recordings, or as an assurance of sound quality. You should note that certain technologies and methods for MP3 file recording on CD-Rs prevent optimal playback of these files on your DVD player (that is degraded sound quality and even, in some cases, inability of the player to read the file or files).

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