EAC extraction method for an old CD...

2006-02-19 11:39:49

I have an old CD (~15-16 years). It doesn't look scratched except for a few scratches that are parallel to the tracks. Unfotunately EAC reads it very slowly using Secure Mode and as I can't wait a few months for 1 CD to be ripped, I'd like to ask if Paranoid or Burst mode is better for such CDs.

While on the subject, a few more questions:
1. I have two drives: Lite-On SOHR 5238s and BenQ DW-1655. Which one is better for audio extraction? Actually as far as my googling goes, it seems the Lite-On is better but I ask just in case.
2. I've used DeGlitch but it seems sometimes it creates glitches instead of removing them (so I've noticed). EAC has a feature to remove glitches as well. How accurate and reliable is this feature and when should it be used? Always, only when expecting glitches or only when I hear such?
3. I've recently bought Nightwish's Highest Hopes album but on 15th track on the 1:28 minute mark there is a short glitch. I've played the disc in both my drives and it's there. I don't own a standalone player so I can't test if it would still be there. Is this some kind of protection (or something like that) that is audible when playing on a PC or could it be a faulty CD and I should go to the store where I bought it and replace it if the glitch is audible on that CD but not on others?

EAC extraction method for an old CD...

Reply #1 – 2006-02-19 11:54:06

HI

problem of scratched CD is depending on both real CD scratch level and CD/DVD drive performances.

For that kind of problem i do recommand Plextor DVD drives like PX712, 716, even 708.

I have restored many dirty scratched CDs with it. There are huge differences between CD:DVD Drives brands capabilities.

Continue using EAC for best results!

Regards

EAC extraction method for an old CD...

Reply #2 – 2006-02-19 12:39:51

It sounds like it would be most sensible to use burst mode with Test and Copy.

I always use secure mode, but if secure is just unrealistic speed-wise, then Test and Copy should let you know which tracks are causing problems, and which can be relied on.  If the T&C fails on some tracks I would simply rerip those tracks until you have had a number of matching CRCs that satisfies you.

Additionally, it sounds as though you may do well to try polishing the disc.

I can't answer 1. and 2., but with regard to 3.: I would certainly just take the CD back.  There's no point wasting your time on what may be just a manufacturing error.  Perhaps you could ask the store whether they know of any reason why the CD can't be played on a PC.

EAC extraction method for an old CD...

Reply #3 – 2006-02-20 18:39:38

OK, I went to the store and they replaced the album. Unfortunately the glitch is there again. What are the chances of the whole batch of CDs being faulty like that?
Like I said I have two drives a Lite-On SOHR 5238S and a BenQ DW1655, both flashed with their latest firmwares. Both produce the glitch. As far as I know both are very good audio extraction drives but yet there is a glitch. Or maybe it's supposed to be like that on CD-ROM drives?
Actually the glitch isn't too loud and is not fatal but it is annoying. I guess I should use the mp3 from the album I downloaded from the Internet and liked so much I went to buy the album as soon as possible (people, who create something one considers great ,deserve support).
Any ideas?

EAC extraction method for an old CD...

Reply #4 – 2006-02-20 18:58:20

I also had an album (Claude Bolling) which had audio an dropout somewhere on it;  I never bothered to figure out why, since I also tried downloading an APE of it, and it had the same glitch as the CD extracted version.

In any case, for the scratched CD, you can use brasso and some car wax to bolish and buff away any scratches, which will make it back to normal speed in secure extraction.

Peace,
Shade.

EAC extraction method for an old CD...

Reply #5 – 2006-02-20 23:59:53

It took me a minute to figure out you were talking about my previous post. Actually the CD doesn't a dropout, the whole CD is a dropout. It start MASSIVE error correction from the beginning of Track 1. The strange part is the CD doesn't look that bad. I've had CDs looking like they've gone through a combine and they are read without any significant problems. Burst mode and Paranoi mode are quite fast. It's the secure mode that takes forever. Oh well, I guess I'll use Burst Test & Copy.

EAC extraction method for an old CD...

Reply #6 – 2006-02-23 20:49:45

Sorry for the double post but I really want to know if the glitch thing is somewhat intended to be there when listened on a PC.
Now that I listen more extensively, I hear quite some more glitches on that track.
Perhaps there are more on other tracks as well. The newer copy was brand new, still in nylon and yet it has glitches too. Like I said it appears it's some kind of protection (yet ClonyXXL doesn not recognize any protection) or the whole damn batch of CDs is glitched. What are the chances of being the latter? I will not return the CD again. Even if they replace the replaced one, the third would have the same problems as well.
What could be the problem and therefore - what could be the solution?
I'm affraid to buy another CD. What if it has glitches again?
I don't mean to be rude but what's the point of making DeGlitch when it doesn't work? I know it can't be perfect but for from even "decent". Whenever I had come across glitches Deglitch had never managed to remove them. In fact sometimes it had added a few. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, who knows?