2. tech-talk
  3. 1097365681

Burning CD-Rs from iTunes and Apple Lossless Files

I have recently started to use iTunes with the Apple Lossless compression scheme as recommended by some of you.

In general, I think its great, and find it very listenable, a cinch to use on my iPods etc.

I am curious, however, about what happens to these files when burning it back onto a CD-R, to make a compilation for the car stereo, for example.

I was very excited to easily cut, paste and rip compilation CDs from my library in Itunes, but the first one I tried in the car seemed to take about 150 years for the player to read the disc.

In the end, the disc seemed to play just fine, but it took a while and would also pause again every time I changed tracks.

Made my SCD-1 seem lightning quick by comparison?!

Could this be related to using the Apple lossless files as my archive?
cwlondon
ljgj
955 posts
 
I was using AIFF on the Verbatim now that I think about it. I recently switched to WAV but haven't tried it on the Verbatim that I have left. I will have to check out Photon46's findings.
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
OK Big Bummer

This still isnt working well.

The other day, I put the Apple Lossless burned CD into the car and it just sat there for at least 5 minutes ?!?!?!? Then it finally decided to load the disc.

Every other crappy, sometimes scratched CDs, play just fine.

So back to one of my original posts -- I love the convenience and interface of iTunes, but this whole computer audio thing is far from perfect.

And hard drive space should be the least of our concerns as it is only going to get cheaper.

So, if anyone knows, please:

1) Uncompressed, uncompromised, bit for bit, lossless files where we dont need to debate how good or bad they sound

2) The ability to use the Itunes (or equivalent) interface

3) The ability to easily "tag" files with track information

4) The ability to export the digital file directly into an external, highe end DAC

and

5) the ability to share this music via iPod, burned discs of compilations for parties or road trips etc.

Please do tell.
arrakian
36 posts
 
One thing I would recommend is using Taiyo-Yuden CD-Rs. I have used them exclusively for years with no problems. I normally use other applications to burn my CD-Rs from AIFF files, but recently, I have been experimenting with using iTunes to convert Apple Lossless and MP3 files to audio compilation disc, still without the problems you describe.

As far as you burning in iTunes, are you using "Disc At Once" or "Track At Once" in the iTunes preferences? I also burn at the slowest speed possible to get a finished product that plays most anywhere.
arrakian
36 posts
 
Sorry for the references to "DAO" and "TAO" in the above post; I was thinking of another app. iTunes defaults is "Disc aat Once" since it finalizes the CD whether it has one track or is full.
More to discover