Ken, doesn't the iTunes software encode files in a  format (.ASA I think?) that cannot be played back on Non-Apple media players?  Or does it allow you to encode in various formats.....wav, mp3, etc.?

As for the sound issues, you may be on to something there.  I did notice that my CD-Rs sound just fine on my brand new PC here at the office, but do not sound good on my home stereo CD players which are both at least 4 years old.

Mark E.
-------------- Original message -------------- 

> My suggestion: Download iTunes for PC. It encodes files cleaner than any 
> other software of its kind and allows you to directly convert formats and 
> burn playlists to CDs. It is also the best way I have found to organize your 
> music on your hard drive. It's really easy to use and it's free. Make sure 
> you download the latest version of Quick Time, too while you're there: 
> 
> http://www.apple.com/itunes/ 
> 
> Playback issues: If you're experiencing noise problems on home and care CD 
> players, consider the fact that older players and some newer ones can't play 
> CD-Rs very well. One solution would be to use 650 MB (74 minute) discs since 
> that's the standard most players were created for. People are using those 
> 700 MB/80 minute ones which are OK, but can do funny things to you. 
> 
> 
> -- Ken Kase 
> Editor 
> www.nighttimes.com / Night Times, LLC 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 12/3/04 8:57 AM, "markeichelberger@comcast.net" 
> wrote: 
> 
> > Hello all. In this email, I discuss some issues I am having creating audio 
> > CDs on my PC. If you are not interested or know nothing about this topic, 
> > feel free to delete this email now. 
> > For those who kept this email, here is the deal. I started out burning audio 
> > CDs using Roxio software, but I found the software too cumbersome and buggy 
> > and decided to switch to MusicMatch Plus. That software seemed to work fine 
> > for a while but I have found that recent software upgrades keep locking up on 
> > my PC (Windows 2000 Professional), but even worse, I have found that upon 
> > playback on multiple CD players, some audio CD-Rs contain very noticeable 
> > noise. The noise is similar to radio static. Oddly enough, this noise 
> > doesn't appear on initial playback of the CD-R, but on subsequent playbacks 
> > and usually starts up around tracks 15 and higher. I am using TDK CD-R's, and 
> > I have used them in the past and up to this point, I never had any problem 
> > with them, so I am thinking the issue is with the software and not the media 
> > (but I may be wrong). 
> > Anyway, in the event the issue is with the CD-Writer software, I am looking 
> > for alternatives to Roxio and MusicMatch. What I need is software to burn 
> > both MP3 encoded CDs and traditional audio CDs (with on-the-fly MP3 conversion 
> > since WAV to MP3 conversion is such a pain). If you are using CD-Writer 
> > software that you think you could recommend, feel free to respond offlist. 
> > Of course, if you think the issue with the CD "surface noise" is unrelated to 
> > the software, please feel free to respond too. 
> > Thanks in advance. 
> > Mark Eichelberger 
> > markeichelberger@comcast.net 
> 
>