determining read offset - CDSpeed dialog disabled Options

[jonpb]

I would like to get the read offset of my LITEON SOHW-832S. The AccurateRip database says it is +12. I only have one CD in the EAC calculation list and, based on that one CD, EAC is saying it is +1006. I downloaded CDSpeed, but the Advanced DAE Quality Test is disabled. I have been searching to find why it is always disabled, does the free version of CDSpeed cripple this feature, or is there something I am doing wrong?

One more question. Once I do get the correct value for the offset and it is positive (+), the way I understand it, since this drive does not have overread into lead-out, I will always be missing the last samples off the last track, correct? It's not that big a deal to lose a couple milliseconds off the last track, what's important is the alignment of all the rest of the tracks. Also, if the correct value turns out to be negative (-), since this drive does have overread into lead-in, in that case, all tracks would be aligned and I would not lose the last samples off the last track, correct?

Thanks

[adamjk]

At first you must create, using NERO CD-DVD Speed, your special test disc and then everything will become very simple.
Detailed manual of CD-DVD Speed you can find here:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=192563#post1540652
and don't forget that Nero CD-DVD Speed reports the total of the read offset of the tested drive and the write offset of the recorder which was used to create the test disc.

[jonpb]

and don't forget that Nero CD-DVD Speed reports the total of the read offset of the tested drive and the write offset of the recorder which was used to create the test disc.

Thanks very much, I guess my search skills aren't so good 'cause I did search cdfreaks. Anyways I actually did create a disc using RAW mode as seems to be described in the manual and it didn't work. Unfortunately, that was my last CD-R so I have go out and buy some more to try other configurations. But, in the meantime, what is meant by "write offset of the recorder"? Is "recorder" the software or the hardware? As I understand it, write offset is a property of the hardware and the recording software can either correct this or not. So...

recorder = hardware:
1) the value can only be used in an EAC "combined offset" config

recorder = software
2) cdspeed does the write correction -> the value is the read offset
3) cdspeed does not do the write correction -> the value is the combined offset

Only under scenario (2) can I actually use cdspeed to find the read offset

Correct?

Also, any idea why it doesn't work with a commercial Audio CD, I would assume that the write offset of that "recorder" would be correct, unless scenario (1) is the correct scenario for cdspeed.

This post has been edited by jonpb: May 14 2007, 04:09

[jonpb]

A slightly off-topic rant:

1) why don't the manufactures publish these offsets?
2) why do the LCD panel manufactures not publish the panel type, i.e. TN, PVA, MVA, etc.
3) why, in the 90's, did they recall and destroy all the plugin electric cars (http://www.pluginamerica.com/)

why do consumers constantly have to go through hoops to get what should be there right to have?

[adamjk]

Correct?

Also, any idea why it doesn't work with a commercial Audio CD

Simply "recorder" is drive used for burning, "tested drive" is drive used for test. In your case it is probably the same drive. Offset is always related to hardware.
Before writing post I tested the whole procedure, using CD-RW, and it worked perfectly.
To understand all the problems go to:
http://users.pandora.be/satcp/
read step by step and enjoy your knowledge later!
Certainly you cannot used "commercial Audio CD", it must be burned not pressed.

[jonpb]

Simply "recorder" is drive used for burning, "tested drive" is drive used for test. In your case it is probably the same drive. Offset is always related to hardware.
Before writing post I tested the whole procedure, using CD-RW, and it worked perfectly.

Ok, so the conclusion is that cdspeed only gives me the combined offset (read/write). Do you know of any software, besides EAC that can calculate the read offset, not the combined offset? I would like to get a second opinion from EAC's result, and by the nature of AccurateRip's submission based database I would prefer a software based second opinion, especially since the results (op: EAC/AccurateRip) are so different.

To understand all the problems go to:
http://users.pandora.be/satcp/
read step by step and enjoy your knowledge later!

Yeah, I read through that this morning, excellent article.

Certainly you cannot used "commercial Audio CD", it must be burned not pressed.

Thank you, that is good to know.

[greynol]

Do you know of any software, besides EAC that can calculate the read offset, not the combined offset?

AccurateRip. EAC is old-hat, unreliable and one big PITA.