The benefits available to users include the ability to:

• reproduce existing sound recordings from virtually any format, from turn-of-the-century cylinders and 78 r.p.m. discs to contemporary digital configurations;
• store video, graphics, sound, text and other types of information files in larger increments - up to 650 MBs - than has been available from competing formats such as zip disks (100 MBs) and super disks;
• save information in incremental packets over a period of time via CD-rewritable technology;
• erase and - if desired, rewrite - information onto a disk (again, by means of the CD-RWs); and
• create sophisticated multi-media products customized for particular uses in the classroom, library, etc. (most notably where gaps exist in the available literature available commercially).

Two types of recording units are presently available: those made for use with audio components (and limited to sound reproduction) and those intended for integration into a computer work station. The latter type are available both as an internal unit (to be installed in a manner similar to a regular CD-ROM drive, floppy drive, etc.) and external accessory (to be connected to a parallel port on the computer much like a scanner or printer). The most desirable hardware units for educators should include the capability of copying both CD-Rs (record one-time only) and CD-RWs (reusable an indefinite number of times). At present, the CD-RWs are generally only playable on DVD-ROM drives and CD-R/CD-RW units. The reflective qualities of the CD-RW discs can cause tracking problems on standard CD and CD-ROM players. In addition, CD-RW blanks tend to cost $10-25 apiece, whereas CD-R blanks are available at prices ranging from less than $1 to about $5 (the high end is usually represented by the audio only discs geared to stereo systems; Philips dominates this market).
 
 

A number of good introductory articles have been written on this emerging medium, including a couple in the October 1998 issue of Stereo Review. After burning about 200 discs in the latter half of 1998, however, I have come to recognize that the literature leaves much to be desired when attempting to learn about the intricacies of CD recordables. Keep in mind that most hardware and software companies maintain web sites, e-mail departments and technical assistance phone lines geared to informing consumers. I have found them to be immensely helpful. Some particularly useful sources of information are included below:
 
 

Software

Adaptec Software Product Group. URL: www.adaptec.com E-mail: 74431.2004@compuseve.com Customer service: 800-442-7274. Technical support: 408-934-7283.

CeQuadrat. Phone: 800-330-MPEG. Fax: 415-843-3799.

Creative Digital Research. URL: www.cdr1.com E-mail: info@cdr1.com Phone: 408-255-0999.

Digidesign. URL: www.digidesign.com/Newdigiweb/Digiprod/mlcd/index.html E-mail: prodinfo@digidesign.com Phone: 415-842-7900.

Elektroson. URL: www.elektroson.com Customer service: 408-371-4800. Technical support: 408-371-4995.

Optical Media International. URL: www.microtest.com/html/optical_media.html E-mail: sales@optmedia.com Phone: 408-376-3511.

Smart Storage. URL: www.smartstorage.com Phone: 508-623-3300 Fax: 508-623-3310.
 
 

Recording Units
 
 

LG Electronics. Phone: 201-816-2000. FAX: 201-816-2188.
 
 

Mitsumi. Phone: 972-550-7300. Fax: 972-550-7424.
 
 

Panasonic. Phone: 800-742-8086; 201-348-7000.
 
 

Ricoh. URL: www.ricoh,cpg.com Customer service: 800-225-1899 x1622 Technical assistance: 800-555-6255.
 
 

Furthermore, educators and others involved with the practical application of this technology can provide advice on specific problems and concerns. In my case, please feel free to contact me at either 409-294-1289 (voice mail) or lis_fwh@shsu.edu. In closing, let me share a few things I have discovered from experience which are not necessarily covered at length in the literature:

• Quality control varies considerably regarding the manufacture of CD-Rs. Some brands have an extremely high error ratio, often resulting in discs that are rejected by recording units prior to completion. Insist on a refund for any brand that includes more than one bad disc out of ten. Retailers (both local and mail order) will honor such returns. Don't let them tell you that your hardware or software program is to blame. Experimentation with different brands - as well as discussions with the appropriate tech personnel - can easily reveal whether or not this is the case. At the risk of offending certain manufacturers, I would recommend using the blanks produced by the leading manufacturers of burning units; e.g., Ricoh, Hewlett Packard, Sony, Philips. Some long established audio/video/photography companies also produce fine discs (e.g., Fuji). Others - while improving - are still trying to get the kinks out of the production process, most notably TDK, Maxell, and Memorex. Computer software companies such as Verbatim have yet to produce a uniformly good product. Low-end producers who gear their lines to discount retailers (e.g., Dysan) should be avoided at all costs.
• Prices for both recording units and the blank discs vary widely. By all means, shop around. The presence of a respected repair department is of only marginal value as most of the hardware - like other computer and AV equipment - is extremely well made these days. By the time problems related normal wear-and-tear appear, its probably time to invest in an upgraded unit. If the unit malfunctions at the outset, the manufacturer and/or retailer will simply provide you with a replacement. Basic installation of both hardware and software programs can be accomplished at home or in the work environment with minimal help, if necessary, from the tech personnel made available by these companies. Avoid companies which don't have 800 phone numbers for tech support as well as fast turnaround to e-mail inquiries.
• The staff at many discount retail chains - as well as the order department personnel at leading mail order firms - typically don't have a clue as to what your needs might be. They tend to be geared simply to selling merchandise which little insight regarding the operation of any products other than the tidbits of information (often highly suspect) picked up from consumers about mainstream (i.e., high inventory) items. Look elsewhere for advice regarding what to purchase.
• The success rate in making successful copies of audio recordings with poorer quality blank discs appears to be higher when selecting the 2x burning speed (as opposed to the 1x - real time - speed). Given high quality software and equipment (including a decent sound card), resulting differences in audio quality cannot be detected. Obviously, the savings in time render the 2x speed a desirable option.
• The direct copying option in duplicating the contents of one CD to another includes many pitfalls; most notably, the presence of other ongoing computer operations (as many as a dozen on some machines) can slow down the operation to as many as 6-7 hours, and the use of the 2x burning speed can result the appearance of unpleasant pops and clicks in the final audio product. The primary solutions to the latter problem are (given decent quality hardware) using the 1x burning speed and/or applying an effective digital audio extraction program to clean up audio files. A faster - and more effective in terms of results - option consists of downloading audio material to wav files on the computer's hard drive, then copying them to the blank CD. This approach - while easy enough to execute with the proper software - does require the active participation of the computer user (an operation not significantly different to the analog audio/video taping process).

For more information, consider visiting the following web sites:

PC Magazine Online. Create Your Own CD: CD-R Drives. www.zdnet.com/pcmag/issues/1507/pcmag0044.htm

CD-Recordable Software Manufacturers. www.cd-info.com/CDIC/Industry/Mfgrs/SWMfgrs.html

Adaptec. www.adaptec.com Click on the Products, Technical Support, and User Community options.