[RoadTripper]

I need a little help here. I've been burning CDs to play in my car CD player. MP3s of Audio Books mostly. I realized that I didn't want to accumulate scads of these CDs over time, so I decided to buy CD-RW CDs so that I could re-burn new material on them when I was done with the old.

Here's the problem. I get CD-ERROR on the CD display in the car when I try to play a CD-RW whereas I have no problem playing a "write-once" CD in it. The CD-RW disc plays fine on my Oppo DVD player in the house.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[RoadTripper]

BTW, I'm using Windows Media player to do the burning. And my car is a 1999 BMW with its stock CD player.

[RoadTripper]

Bump for help. I'm at a loss here.

[opnly bafld]

Have they been finalized?
What speed are you burning them at?
Try 2x or 4x if you have not already.

Something to keep in mind, computer discs often ruin cars transports, it is better to use audio cds.

Lin

[RoadTripper]

Thanks for the reply. I believe they have been finalized, based on seeing something to that effect go by during the burn process. The burn speed is set to fastest, so I can slow that down. When you say it is better to use audio cds do you mean that I shouldn't be trying to play burned MP3 files in my car, or are you saying that I should not be burning onto anything but audio cds?

Thanks again

[wilsynet]

I cannot attest to why a transport would fail more quickly because it's reading non-redbook, but stranger things have been known to happen.  Maybe it has to work harder, maybe it does a better job with checking CRCs and it tries to re-read pits that it originally failed.  Maybe this causes it to fail 10% faster.  It's just wild speculation on my part.

However, what I can say without speculation is that not all players can read CD-RW.  Most players these days can read CD, CD-R, and CD-RW, but with older players CD-RW is a different animal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-RW

The relevant section is here:

"Written CD-RW discs do not meet Red Book or Orange Book Part II standards for prerecorded or recordable CDs (e.g. reduced signal levels). CD-RWs have considerably lower reflectivity than CD-Rs and commercially pressed discs, requiring a more sensitive laser optics. Also, CD-RWs cannot be read in some CD-ROM drives built prior to 1997. This is why CD-ROM drives of the age must bear a "MultiRead" certification to show compatibility."

[opnly bafld]

As stated, your factory head unit may not support CD-RW.

My comments about computer "Media" CDRs is based on the experience of a friend who owns a car stereo store.
I would guess the failure rate for those that play CDs constantly (very little or no radio use) is somewhat higher than "10% faster" when using "Media" CDs compared to those that use only prerecorded CDs or "Audio" CDRs.
In my experience using only prerecorded CDs in my car other parts of the head unit will fail before the transport.

YMMV,
Lin

[wilsynet]

That's interesting, I'll keep that in mind.  Thanks for the tip.

[Tubeburner]

Replace your head unit with a Blaupunk Memphis and your troubles will go away. A friend is a dealer and I can get a great deal on these. If you have a local dealer, check him out. PM me if interested.

[RoadTripper]

Thanks for all the replies here.

I'm going forward for the time being with a Harmon/Kardon Drive+Play (version 1) which I picked up on Amazon for $27. I'll be using just the "broadcast" mode with an MP3 player for now. Later on I'll get it all hooked up properly.