8.1.2 CD-R and DVD-R Recording Formats

8.1.2.1  There are two different approaches to the encoding of audio and video on recordable CDs and DVDs, either as an audio “stream”, or as a data file. In the first of these approaches sound is recorded as CD-DA formatted audio, which makes them playable in ordinary CD-players, or to encode it in MPEG formatted DVDs, which may not all play in standard DVD-players. Stand alone recorders will only record these formats, though computer based equipment may optionally produce disks in these standard domestic forms. The use of these formats severely restricts the possibility for on-line access and choosing this option may possibly create a migration problem the next time you need to change carrier. It is not recommended that audio streams be recorded for long term storage.

8.1.2.2  The alternative, recording a file using a computer based audio editing system and writing that file to CD-R or DVD-R is a more reliable approach. Recording files on a 650 MB CD-R allows 59 minutes audio storage for 48 kHz 16 bit linear PCM files, and 39 minutes for 48 kHz 24 bit linear PCM files. Recording the same format files on a 4.7 GB DVD-R allows up to 6 hours of audio storage. For this reason the writing of data files is recommended. Because of the simplicity and ubiquity of linear PCM (interleaved for stereo) IASA recommends the use of a .wav or preferably the BWF .wav files (EBU Tech 3285) if recordable CDs and DVDs are selected as the target format.