Simple question

A friend is trying to use Nero 5.5 to burn Audio CD's, but Nero tells him he has to use CDRW disks. And when he does, no player he has or has access to will play his cds. Is this the standard for audio CD's or is it because they are mpg3 files?

Not uncommon at all for many cd players to not be able to handle CDRWs, but that's beside the point.

It is not standard at all for Nero to request CDRWs when creating an audio (ie CDDA) cd, regardless of what the source material is (mp3s, wavs, etc). An audio cd can be created on either cdrw or cdr, since it is only the format/way the music data is written on the blank that is important, not the media itself.

Thanks DrM........I tried to tell him that it shouldn't matter which ever he used that it should write to cdr's too........I also thought that cd players are more apt to recognize cdr's.....right?

Anyway, I will pass on the info you posted here to him. I am upgrading my nero too, and hopefully his too.

Yes, home/car/portable cd players tend to be more receptive to cds burned on CD-Rs as opposed to CD-RWs.

I can't imagine Nero calling specifically for a CD-RW. A blank disc yes, cdrw no. Never seen that.

I have never heard of any cd burning software asking specifically for cd type either. I use Nero and have never encountered that message either. I've also used Sony's Hotburn, which never asked that either.

I'm thinking maybe his drive's firmware may need updating, but don't know anything about firmware. What is that and do you think he would need it updated?

He's probably trying to packet write using InCD (similiar to Roxio's Direct CD) which would require CD-RW media.

Tell him to lauch Nero and use the wizard to compile an audio cd and he'll be able to use a CD-R.

I don't think he's using InCD.......does the window/program open like Nero?.......I never thought to ask or look at it my self to see if that's what it was. I don't use InCD, don't have it installed either.

see jpeg....this is my Nero without InCD. do they look the same?

You won't get a window popping up when using InCD.

It allows you to burn the same way you send a file to a floppy, by right clicking on the files/folder you want to burn and sending it to the cd-rw drive. When packet writing like that, cd-rw medial is required.

Also when burning mp3's that way, they are burned as data files rather than being burned as an audio cd and can only be played on players that have the capability to play mp3's as data files.

If he/she wants to make and audio cd he/she should use the Nero wizard and follow the on screen instructions.

See attached:

oh yeah, now I remember.......:D...about InCd and how it works that is. He's not using InCd, just Nero. He said he was using the wizard, but that still didn't work. Okay you are telling me that if he's burning MPG's unless he has a player outside his computer that plays those files, he can't put them in a regular cd player and play them? I know he burned at least one using the Audio/cd wizard, and it would not play outside his computer. Also can't understand why Nero keeps telling him he needs cdrw, and not cdr's. If he is not using InCd, then Nero itself should allow him to use either/or, right?

I downloaded and burned Nero's update for him, and gave it to him to install today. I won't know if that fixed the problem til later tonight, or tomorrow.

I also looked for firmware for this drive. Sony 24x cdrw, but it is a Dell laptop that the drive is installed in. So, I looked on Sony's site, and then on Dell's site. Couldn't find anything on either site. :(

If they tell Nero to create an "audio cd" (not data) then it will automatically convert any MP3s you feed it to use to the appropriate format (CDDA), so they will be playable on standard cd players.

It sounds like ya need to walk through a session with the person, having them tell ya each step of the way what they are doing and getting back from Nero.

By the way, when you go through the Nero Wizard for creating an audio CDr it specifically states on the last screen (before throwing you to the where you add the files you want on the complilation) that the use of CDRWs is not recommended due to the fact that many players can't handle them. Seems odd doesn't it that it would then later request a cdrw?:confused:

Thanks to all of you who responded.......DrM, thanks very much for all your help. However, problem is now solved. I said earlier that I had downloaded updated software, and it seems that fixed his problem. I think he was using the first version 5.5 of Nero. He just called me and told me the upgrade worked, he can now burn an Audio Cd and it will play in all players he's tried. And it accepts cdr's as burn media.

whew!!!.....I was beginning to think that what I told him about buying that drive (he should buy one), was going to end up being a headache for me.......VDR saved my life, again!! ;)

Hazard of the trade. If you stick your neck out,,,watch out for the falling ax! :D

Thanks so much Ridge.....:p roflol