BEWARE OF CD-R’s!!
 
   Being a record/cd store owner, I am constantly bombarded with questions on the difference between CDRs and factory released cds.   In a nutshell, CDRs are the inexpensive bulk blank cds you insert in your cd-burner in your computer to make a ‘copy’ of a factory cd.  For the newly initiated, downloaded songs can be ‘burned’ onto the CDRs as well and both types of copies will play fine in most CD players and computers.  CDRs are  often referred to as ‘Silver CDs’ even though both factory and CDRs are both silver.
 
  CDRs are called:  Write Once-Read Many  (W.O.R.M .)  which simply means that each CD can only be written on once, but played an infinite amount of times (until it wears out, which we’ll get into shortly.)   Factory CDs are literally ‘burned’ by a laser etching device or by a pressing/plate process which permanently etches the on/off marks onto the cd.  CDRs are not really burned, but use a chalky-magnetic bonding process that uses dyes.  They are capable of 74 minutes of recording and some more than that depending on the quality of the blank CD.  The better quality blank CDRs (such as SONY, TDK.) also have a better bonding process which makes them last nearly twice as long as cheaper, budget priced bulk 100 packs without a known brand name.

   Now, let’s discuss why I say:  Beware of CDRs.   They have several drawbacks which include:
   1)  LONGEVITY:   CDRs will probably only last 4-6 years before losing sound integrity.  Bit by bit, literally,  the sound will drop off, making either a hissing or static sound.  The dye itself that bonds the data to disk begins to degrade, and the sound image begins to 'drop out', similar to the problem that cheaper cassette tapes have.
 
2)  Highly Susceptible to Temperature:      Don’t store them in cars!!!  NO NO!  The extreme internal heat of a car in the summertime can exceed 115 degrees which is about 30 degrees above the recommended  temperature for long shelf life.   CDs also stretch in the summertime, and shrink in the wintertime which causes data to drop off the CDR.
 
   3) Not a Permanent Way to Store Data!      Unfortunately, when CDRs came out, the techies said this was the greatest recording medium since sliced bread.  Years later they found when they attempted to retrieve data or music, that much of the data was gone!   Instantly huge companies stopped ‘burning’ discs as a way of  backing up essential data.  This is the great industry secret of the decade:  that factory-pressed CDs probably have  no longer than a 10 year life at best before sound degradation will occur.  The shelf life for CDRs is half of that depending on the quality of the blank.
 
   4)  Unscrupulous Music Dealers sell CDRs as Factory cds:   Although prohibited from EBAY, home-made burnt copies of hard to find cds are often misrepresented as ‘factory cds’.  The seller often uses professional looking graphics and cd stickers to make them look authentic.  How can you tell?  Beware of  sellers from foreign countries that sell a hard to find cd at half the price.  I say ‘foreign’ since many  countries are reluctant to enforce copyright laws from America.  You can usually tell a cloned cd from  an original by the shiny ‘green’ tint that the dye leaves behind on the mirror surface.
 
   5)  CDRs are prone to Rust or Oxidation:   Since they use a reflective metallic substance to bounce the music back to  the ‘reading laser’, CDRs can and will rust.  Having a Gold Surface helps to prolong the life (such as  MFSL cds) but is not a miracle cure to this problem.
 
    6)   Magic Markers RUIN CDRs!    Since markers contain an alcohol based ink, they can penetrate the disc and interfere with the reading of the disc.  Everyone at some time or another has seen the result of what permanent markers can do to plastic (bleeding in permanently).  Use a special ‘data-marker’   to write the name and title on the CDRs, but don’t use magic markers anymore!

  THE MORAL OF THIS STORY:   think twice before you get rid of your 'factory' store cds after you copy them.   Even if you burn your music to your harddrive, a fatal error could also erase your music.  That's why I say to hang onto  your favorite cds in their original factory state; and only get rid of the ones you can afford to do without.
 
  I wrote this review in hopes that people will be able to distinguish burned cds from originals;  preserve  their home collection longer, and recognize that factory cds are much much better in the long run than   the temporary medium of CDRs.
 
Thank you and please click the button below if you think this CD Guide was helpful!
 
Jeff Feezle of Macafeez