High level basics about CDs and CD players

CD – Compact Disc

 

• CD-RW (Read/Write) is a rewritable format
• CD-R (Read) is a write one time only 

Most CDs come can hold anywhere between as 650 and 700 MB of data. 

A prerecorded compact disc has its information permanently written onto its surface while a CD-RW disc contains a phase-change alloy recording layer. 

CD-RWs are not as reliable for long-term storage; however, under recommended storage conditions, CD-RW should have a life expectancy of 25 years or more (as compared to 30+ years for CD-R). 

CD Player - a digital device that reads plastic disc which has notches etched under the surface that a laser reads and translates the signal back into audio which is eventually sent to the amplifier then speakers. Some modern CD players also can play MP 3 formatted information. A CD player has three major components: a drive motor, a lens system, and a tracking mechanism.

 

·        Did you know DVD players can play CDs?

·        Did you know that some CD players can also record?  

Want to learn more:

• http://www.cdrfaq.org/
  
• http://www.osta.org/technology/cdqa.htm