Can't play burned CD's

Question

Level 1

74 points

Can't play burned CD's

I used iTunes 7 and my MacBook Pro to burn CD's but have not been able to play them in my CD players. I can load the CD in another computer and it will play the music. I tried setting the preferences to burn both Audio first and then MP3 but neither worked. I then tried to burn the same music (free MP3's not from iTunes) in my iMac desktop computer using iTunes 7 and was able to play the CD in my CD player. I'm mystified as to the problem. Could it be a problem with the MacBook Pro?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Nov 27, 2008 1:38 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 27, 2008 3:54 PM in response to BluSky

Have you used the same type of CDs in all instances? A hint: don't use CD-RWs; use CD-Rs

Another hint, when burning an MP3 CD, the tracks must already be in MP3 format -- iTunes will not convert in the Burn process. You can check the format in Get Info.

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Answer 2

BluSky Author

Level 1

74 points

Dec 25, 2008 7:31 PM in response to Diane Wordsmith

I'm using CD-R discs and all tracks are labeled MP3. The burned disks will play in another computer but not in my music CD/radio player. I have imported the tracks in MP3 format and exported them to the burned CD using both the Audio and MP3 formats, neither worked. Should I have imported the tracks in the same format as in the original CD, AIFF?

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Answer 3

Dec 29, 2008 3:38 PM in response to BluSky

Is the CD radio player MP3 compatible

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Answer 4

BluSky Author

Level 1

74 points

Jan 1, 2009 6:24 PM in response to cypherism

It's an older clock radio with a built-in CD player so it's probably not setup to play MP3's. With my older Mac I had an external Sony CD burner and I cloned CD's using its software, "Discribe" and never had a problem. Burned discs played in my clock radio and car radio without a problem. So I how should I import and export tracks using iTunes so burned discs will play in these? Or do I have to use some other software? Thanks.

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Answer 5

oldjoe

Level 1

5 points

Feb 4, 2009 11:41 AM in response to BluSky

I've struggled with this problem also. The MP3 file is created OK and the CD-R burns OK, but it won't play on either of my two CD players. AIFF files play fine, tho'. A couple of posts mentioned reducing the burn speed. One suggested 8X. I tried 8X, but it didn't work. Then I re-read the posting. It said "8X or slower". I used 4X and -- IT WORKED! My MP3 music plays anywhere. To be contrary, I tried a burn at 6X and it failed. So, 4X it is for me.

Thanks to "Kasa" who posted "8X or slower".

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Answer 6

Feb 4, 2009 12:24 PM in response to BluSky

It's not a question of importing but only a question of what kind of disks you are burning: just make sure to burn an *Audio CD* - and don't us CD-RWs as most standalone players accept only CD-Rs.

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Answer 7

Feb 4, 2009 7:09 PM in response to BluSky

An MP3 CD is a compact disc that contains digital audio in the MP3 file format. Discs are burned in the Yellow Book standard data format (used for CD-ROMs), as opposed to the Red Book standard audio format (used for audio CDs). MP3 files are supported by many newer CD players and DVD players.

When you select the MP3 CD burn option, your songs are burned as MP3s. I have several CD players, but the only one I have that will play MP3 CDs is the one in my new car.

When you select the Audio CD format, iTunes converts the songs so they can be played in any CD player.

You can have about 20 songs on an audio CD but more than 120 songs on an MP3 format CD. However, MP3 format CDs can only play in an MP3 capable CD player or a computer, while an Audio CD can be played in virtually any CD player.

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Answer 8

Etchie

Level 1

114 points

Feb 5, 2009 2:15 PM in response to Jim VanLeeuwen

You wouldn't run into the problem of a player not being MP3 compatible unless you had burned it as a data CD. When you make an audio CD out of MP3 files, keep in mind that they're converted into wav files when they're burned to the disc. A player doesn't need to be MP3 compatible for that. I think that was already said but still didn't seem abundantly clear. Just making sure that wasn't overlooked.

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