Exact CD copying

[munky]

Is it possible to copy an audio CD, on a PC, without converting to another format inbetween? (simply copying the cda files doesn't work). I vaguely remember it used to be possible in previous versions if windows, or is my memory failing me? And if it was possible before, why isn't it now - copy protection?

Or is there some software out there that will do it? If not, I guess the answer is to convert to a non-lossy format, but which is best - WAV?

personal use copies only, of course..
cheers!

[Plotloss]

WAV is whats on the disc, effectively.

[SlidingSideways]

All CD/DVD burner software should allow you to do either a disk-to-disk copy. If you'don't have two CD drives, it'll copy it to the hardisk, then ask to to swap disks.

Take a look at Nero or easy CD Creator. There maybe some free ones out there as well.

[pjskel]

Plotloss said:

WAV is whats on the disc, effectively.

Not quite - AIFF is closer to it.

wikipedia said:

Audio CDs do not use WAV as their sound format, instead using Red Book audio. The commonality is that both audio CDs and WAV files have the audio data encoded in PCM. WAV is a data file format for computer use. If one were to transfer an audio CD bit stream to WAV files and record them onto a CD-R as a data disc (in ISO format), the CD could not be played in a player that was only designed to play audio CDs.

AIFF also uses PCM

Whilst Nero will work fine - if the OP has iTunes already - it can be used to make a 'backup' copy.

[thepassenger]

munky said:

Is it possible to copy an audio CD, on a PC, without converting to another format inbetween? (simply copying the cda files doesn't work). I vaguely remember it used to be possible in previous versions if windows, or is my memory failing me? And if it was possible before, why isn't it now - copy protection?

Or is there some software out there that will do it? If not, I guess the answer is to convert to a non-lossy format, but which is best - WAV?

personal use copies only, of course..
cheers!

Yes & No.

Yes. Fire up your weapon of choice (Nero Burning ROM in my case) select 'copy CD' from the smart start menu and it'll read the Audio CD to a data file on your hard drive, drop a blank in when prompted and it'll write the file back out. It should be a 1:1 copy. It's a computers ability to do this that makes the RIAA wet themselves at night and call for Mommy.

No. Audio CD's can be copy protected; whilst they shouldn't carry an 'Audio CD' logo due to breaking the standard many do. It won't harm your computer if you try to copy a protected CD and indeed a 1:1 copy should get around a lot of the protection schemes... but it's worth quickly googling the album to make sure your not going to encounter issues which will annoy the living hell outta you later.

[Teppic]

thepassenger said:

No. Audio CD's can be copy protected; whilst they shouldn't carry an 'Audio CD' logo due to breaking the standard many do. It won't harm your computer if you try to copy a protected CD and indeed a 1:1 copy should get around a lot of the protection schemes... but it's worth quickly googling the album to make sure your not going to encounter issues which will annoy the living hell outta you later.

I have found that DVD43 does a pretty good job of enabling me to copy copy-protected CD's. I had one particularly troublesome CD that just would not copy theough Nero 7. Once DVD43 was started Nero was then able to copy it with ease.

[bez_uk]

Make sure whatever burning software you use is in DAO mode. Gives better results.

Edit: if you copy an audio cd in nero for example it can actually add cd text for the disk without modifying the music in any way .:BONUS:.

Edited by bez_uk on Saturday 16th September 12:28

[JonRB]

I've been using WinDAC for years. Very few discs that it can't read.

[Pigeon]

To make an exact copy of a "copy protected" audio CD simply hook up the S/PDIF output of an audio CD player (which even pretty shit CD players have) to the S/PDIF input of a CMI8738-based sound card.

[munky]

Ah, I have an unopened copy of Nero that came with the laptop, I'll give that a go. Haven't needed it so far, as other software and even XP have been fine for creating data CDs, MP3 CDs and DVDs.

I'll give it a go - thanks

[thepassenger]

Pigeon said:

To make an exact copy of a "copy protected" audio CD simply hook up the S/PDIF output of an audio CD player (which even pretty shit CD players have) to the S/PDIF input of a CMI8738-based sound card.

If it can be watched or listened to... it can be copied