Compact disc manufacturing is the process by which commercial compact discs (CDs) are replicated in mass quantities using a master version created from a source recording. This may be either in audio form (CD-Audio) or data form (CD-ROM). This process is used in the mastering of read-only compact discs; CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and DVDs are made somewhat differently, though the methods are broadly similar.
A CD can be used to store audio, video, and data in various standardized formats defined in the Rainbow Books. CDs are usually manufactured in a class 100 (ISO 5) or better clean room; they can usually be manufactured to quite strict manufacturing tolerances for only a few US cents per disk.
CD mastering differs from burning, as the pits and lands of a mastered CD are moulded into a CD blank, rather than being 'burn marks' in a dye layer (in CD-Rs) or areas with changed physical characteristics (in CD-RWs). In addition, CD burners write data sequentially, while a CD pressing plant 'writes' the entire disk in one physical stamping operation.
Read more about Compact Disc Manufacturing: Premastering, Post-mastering, Electroforming, Replication, Testing
Famous quotes containing the words compact and/or disc:
“The worst enemy of truth and freedom in our society is the compact majority. Yes, the damned, compact, liberal majority.”
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—Emily Dickinson (1830–1886)