Full Version: Which version of EAC?
I am about to start ripping my cd collection and was planning on using EAC for the job. However, after visiting that site, I wasn't sure which version to download. What is the most recent, stable version? If it is v0.95 beta 3, what is the CDRDAO package? Thanks!
Yes, that is the latest version. CDRDAO is for writing audio CDs.
Make sure you find your drive's read offset correction (and write offset)
Make sure you find your drive's read offset correction (and write offset)
Do you know how I can find the offset? I checked the database link about offsets in the FAQ, but couldn't find my drive: LG 4163B. Also there seems to be a lot of debate about offsets on the site, but I don't understand much of it - how important is it to get the right offset?
QUOTE(Mack70 @ Feb 8 2006, 09:28 AM)
Do you know how I can find the offset? I checked the database link about offsets in the FAQ, but couldn't find my drive: LG 4163B. Also there seems to be a lot of debate about offsets on the site, but I don't understand much of it - how important is it to get the right offset?
Many will say read offsets are pointless, but it's the only way you can get bit-identical copies of a cd on any drive you own. The easy way to get the offset is get accuraterip from http://www.accuraterip.com/ or simply look up your offset in the many offset databases, including the one on accuraterips site. http://www.accuraterip.com/driveoffsets.htm
There is also the method where you burn an offset test disc, but unless you burn it with the proper write offset it will not give you accurate results.
The database linked in the FAQ was the AccurateRip one, but a second visit to the site and your comment leads me to understand that if my drive is not listed, I can install AccurateRip software and it will figure out my offset. Is that correct? The database lists only read offsets, and I assume the software will do the same. How do I figure out write offsets, or don't I have to worry about that?
yes, just install accuraterip, copy the accurate dll to the EAC folder, start EAC and put in a few different discs until it recognizes a "key" disc that will allow you to configure your drive.
Thanks to all for the help so far! However, more knowledge seems to generate more questions, so:
1. Further reading at EAC site seems to indicate that while newer versions should work reasonably well, stability will be enhanced if one uses ASPI or ASAPI drivers. I am eager to avoid instability whenver possible, so any comments as to the effectiveness of this would be appreciated. If it is highly recommended, is there any difference between ASPI and ASAPI (sorry for my ignorance)?
2. What are people's views on the standard EAC vs the one with CDRDAO? If I understand, that module is for writing CDs. I was planning to use Burrrn or Burnatonce for writing, so is there any reason to want the CDRDAO function?
1. Further reading at EAC site seems to indicate that while newer versions should work reasonably well, stability will be enhanced if one uses ASPI or ASAPI drivers. I am eager to avoid instability whenver possible, so any comments as to the effectiveness of this would be appreciated. If it is highly recommended, is there any difference between ASPI and ASAPI (sorry for my ignorance)?
2. What are people's views on the standard EAC vs the one with CDRDAO? If I understand, that module is for writing CDs. I was planning to use Burrrn or Burnatonce for writing, so is there any reason to want the CDRDAO function?
QUOTE(Mack70 @ Feb 9 2006, 11:30 AM)
I was planning to use Burrrn or Burnatonce for writing, so is there any reason to want the CDRDAO function?
Not at all.
In fact, I think the programs you mention are better (specially Burrrn) for plain Audio CD burning.
Oh, and EAC should be pretty stable. I recommend using Nero's ASPI, though.
QUOTE(Mack70 @ Feb 8 2006, 12:37 PM)
The database linked in the FAQ was the AccurateRip one, but a second visit to the site and your comment leads me to understand that if my drive is not listed, I can install AccurateRip software and it will figure out my offset. Is that correct? The database lists only read offsets, and I assume the software will do the same. How do I figure out write offsets, or don't I have to worry about that?
There are a few databases that include write offsets as well. Write offset is of course only useful when burning CD's with EAC. Although burning an exact copy is next to impossible, since a drive would be required to be able to burn into leadin or leadout, which even fewer drives support than overreading it seems. One of the nicest and easiest databases to use is http://www.daefeatures.co.uk/
It's not terribly large, but one can add drives to it easily. If you know your read offset and want to find out the write offset you can (i think) rip a track or cd image, burn it to a cdrw, rip it again and use EAC's compare function and see how many samples are missing. The easier method is if you see a similar same branded drive with the same read offset as yours the write offset will likely be the same as well. Often many models use the same components inside.
QUOTE(Mack70 @ Feb 8 2006, 06:28 PM)
how important is it to get the right offset?
Well, it's important if you wan't to use AccurateRip, compare CRCs of rips made from different drives and for avoiding generation-loss when making several generations of copies of copies. However it's a common misconception among many, that read offset correction + overreading capabilities will make rips any more exact, since this is simply not the case...
FAQ - Arguments against offset correction :
http://www.digital-inn.de/showthread.php?threadid=4193
About the use of cdrdao as external writing engine in EAC, then it is only meant for people with drives that aren't supported by EAC's internal writing routines...
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