The best way to create a backup of Audio CDs

[Thump]

"Properly configured" EAC may be the best, I don't know-I spent hours trying to configure it correctly and never got it right. Before you belittle me, I've been a computer hobbyist for 20+ years and have hundreds of CDs-but none of my CDs matched up with EAC's tested discs.

Oh, and unless you have a good SCSI based system and burner (highly unlikely) burning on the fly will probably give you the worst possible quality copies. Most burning programs reccommend against burning on the fly, at least when the reader and writer are on the same IDE chain.

Any reason why a bit for bit copy program, like Alcohol 120% or CloneCD, wouldn't give an identical 100% true copy of an audio disc like they do for data discs? That's what I use now.

 

[greenhorn]

Quote:

Originally posted by pbirkett Well if EAC does EXACT COPIES then how can Plextools be better?

Well, what makes you think that Plextools doesn't? Just the fact that they did not insert the words "exact copy" in the denomination of the soft?

Quote:

Originally posted by pbirkett The only time I've read about Plextools being better than EAC is when its used on a Plextor drive (duh) on damaged CDs where EAC cannot read them / takes hours.

So Plextools managed to "repair" a damaged CD where EAC failed. To me, this means that Plextools is definitely better when you have a not-so-perfect CD to copy.

And if the CD you want to copy is not damaged at all, why not using Nero, which (as daxx already said) makes perfect copies as well?

I'm not against EAC, I just want to mention that it's not the only soft that makes perfect copies - but it's definitely the most complicated one to use.

I used to use EAC, actually, until I bought a Plextor writer which came with Plextools. Since then, I used only Plextools.

 

[bootman]

I use CloneCD and haven't had any problems.
Extremely easy to use.

 

[lini]

The Plextools in combo with a Plextor burner are good for ignoring certain copy protection types. For that purpose, the drive can be set to a kind of dumb mode, where it ignores certain format manipulations ( just like a standard audio cd player) that would make other rom-drives crash. Nice unique feature...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[pbirkett]

Quote:

Originally posted by greenhorn Well, what makes you think that Plextools doesn't?

What makes you think that I think Plextools doesnt do exact copies too? There is a difference between something not being any better and something being inferior, note I did not say Plextools was worse

Quote:

So Plextools managed to "repair" a damaged CD where EAC failed. To me, this means that Plextools is definitely better when you have a not-so-perfect CD to copy.

OK, but for the 90 odd percent of us who dont have a Plextor drive, that is a moot point.

 

[greenhorn]

Quote:

Originally posted by lini The Plextools in combo with a Plextor burner are good for ignoring certain copy protection types. For that purpose, the drive can be set to a kind of dumb mode, where it ignores certain format manipulations ( just like a standard audio cd player) that would make other rom-drives crash. Nice unique feature... Greetings from Munich! Manfred / lini

lini,
Where exactly do you have to click to set it in that dumb mode?
Thanks!

 

[Glassman]

-> enable single session mode

 

[woodytone]

is eac like a program or something. if so where can i get one and which ones are good?

 

[lini]

Quote:

Originally posted by greenhorn lini, Where exactly do you have to click to set it in that dumb mode? Thanks!

I don't know - I just have the info from a friend who is co-developer of several popular cd and dvd cloning tools, who got the inside info from a Plextor technician himself. So the drive might be set to that mode already when Plextools are started or whatever.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

P.S.: Glassman's answer seems plausible, though.

 

[greenhorn]

Thanks, Glassman & lini!

woodytone: http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/