Infoguard and CD-R's

[SloanFan]

I'm planning on copying some movies that are on Kodak Ultima Cd-R.... but I notice it says: "Infoguard, Protection System" on the disk.... Has anyone come accross this, and does this mean that it will block copying of the disk?.... Also, what are peoples opinions on Kodak versus Memorex and Fujifilm for copying movies from VCD/cd-r onto CD-R. Thanks!

[vitualis]

I believe the "Infoguard" is refering to Kodak's proprietary protective layer on the top side of the CD-R. It probably helps to prevent scratches and protects the disc from UV and humidity.

As for media quality, you generally get what you pay for. After being stung by several bad batches of bad media, I generally only buy media from those companies that manufacturer their own discs (e.g., Kodak, Verbatim/Mitsubishi). Of course, cheap media can sometimes be just as good but there is greater risk.

Regards.

[SloanFan]

hi. thanks a lot for replying. One other thing i've always wondered, what is the side that you shouldn't scratch or handle on the disks, top or bottom? Your reply implied the top side, correct?... I'm also wondering, what's your take on the best cd-writer to buy?... I was considering LG or maybe Sony.... or does it not really matter? I'm mainly going to be copying movies from vcd/cd-r and vhs to cd-r.... cheers!

[Jeomite]

Do not stratch the BOTTOM side (aka the data side). It doesn't matter if you stratched the TOP side, its just a label. The BOTTOM side what contains the actual data (whatever you burnt). The InfoGuard helps prevents stratches and etc. for the BOTTOM side, which is the vital side. =]

[djstealth]

Actually I believe the label side should not be scratched either. This is because the underside of the label is the reflective layer that the laser beam must bounce off in order for the information to be read correctly.

[vitualis]

Jeomite,

I have to completely contradict you on this one. Do not scratch the TOP side.

Most of the bottom side of a CD is just the polycarbonate substrate. It usually doesn't matter if it has a few scratches on it. Most CDs will still be read fine (your own personal experience with audio CDs and CD-ROMs should confirm this point). Unless the bottom side is SEVERELY scratched, there is no data loss.

The top side of the CD (CD-R or pressed) contains the actual data layer + a lacquer coating. That is, the data layer is VERY close to the top surface of a CD. A scratch here (especially on CDs without a good top surface protective layer) will destroy the data on a part of the data layer.

Why don't you all do an experiment. Grab two of those AOL (or other) starter CDs -- get a coin and do a fairly deep stratch on the top of one disc and the bottom of the other.

Now try to copy the full contents of the discs onto your HDD.

Regards.

[Graham Meredith]

I agree with Michael. I have some silver Ricoh disks, with no label. They're partly transparent - hold them up to the light and you can see through them. I made a VCD out of one and it played fine in my DVD. I then put a label that had some large black writing on part of it on the disk, and now my DVD player won't play it when it gets up to the writing part of the disk. Pulling (carefully!) the label off and putting a completely white label on it, just to test, enabled the disk to be played perfectly again, giving weight to the theory that affecting the TOP side affects the reflectivity and playability of the disk.

Graham

[Skunkwerx]

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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Skunkwerx on 2001-12-18 16:27:58 ]</font>