Hi all,

I ripped the same CD to 1 file with both EAC & Plextools. Using EAC's wave compare, both files are identical in size which is great, ie both programs got the same amount of samples. However, the compare program states that the position of these samples in both images are different. So how can I differentiate which image's "POSITION" as the wave compare program puts it is correct?

I think this has something to do with offset correction. IIRC, Plextools uses the correct offset for your CD-R/RW if it's a Plextor Drive. In EAC, you have to manually set the offset for your drive. If you don't set your drive's offset in EAC, then you're going to get the missing samples when comparing wavs ripped by these programs. Check your drive information in Plextools for the proper offset. Be careful, though, you'll need to convert it before setting the offset in EAC. Try searching the forum for more information about offsets and Plextools. I can't remember the correct way to do this conversion.

That's pretty correct.
To convert an offset from Plextools ( measuring in ...i don't remember ) to EAC ( measuring in samples ), divide by 4.
BTW, Plextools automatically corrects your drive's offset, but EAC doesn't do that as we all know: you have to enter the value manually.

Remeber one is - the other is +, you can probabbly find the EAC offset here: www.accuraterip.com

Thanks for the reply. I did input the offsets for EAC (+98) which is why the WAV compare program states that no samples were missing but the only error is "POSITION".

PS, this is a Plextor 4012A, +98, -30

What I'm trying to find out is out to determine which image is the one with the correct "POSITION"? Both have the same exact samples, identical in file size, only position is different.

So which is the right one?

I've tried many disc which are in perfect condition with the same result.

Plextools: Byte Offset

EAC: Sample Offset

1 Stereo Sample (2·16 Bits) = 4 Bytes

Remember that Plextools report the true Read & Write Offsets while EAC works with Read Offset Correction (negated value from Plextools) and the true Write Offset ...

What I often do is create an image and cuesheet with EAC/secure and then rip the cd with Plextools (single file mode) just for the fun of it ... there has never been a case where bith files were different so I don't really know what that POSITION error is about ...

Cheers, JL

There is no right one. The Red Book doesn't specify an absolute offset. Both files are valid.

Edit : this is discussed in the links you can find in the FAQ

Fine, so how do you compare them?

Open 'em in Cool Edit an look for the position of the first sample in each file, then cut one of the files to match the other's start position?

I would still like to know how EAC can return a different result from Plextools on an error-free CD with the offset corretly applied.

This is a credibility problem that needs to be explained, IMNSHO.

What is displayed exactly ? I have never seen the message "position" in the compare wav window. It is the title of a column in which the times of the problems reported are displayed.
If the white field is empty, it means that there is no difference. When there is a difference, it is displayed in the white field. I think EAC is not clear with this, because it doesn't tell anything when there are no differences, there is no message.