About MP3/WMA
MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer 3) is a standard format for audio compression. By using MP3, a file can be compressed to about 1/10 of the original size.
WMA (Windows Media Audio) is Microsoft's audio compression technology. WMA files can be compressed to a size even smaller than MP3 files.
This unit only supports certain MP3/WMA file standards, recorded media and formats. Take note of the following when writing MP3/WMA files onto a disc.
About the supported MP3 file standards
Supported standards:
MPEG1/2/2.5 Audio Layer 3
Supported sampling frequencies (kHz):
MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer 3): 32, 44.1, 48
MP3 (MPEG2 Audio Layer 3): 16, 22.05, 24
MP3 (MPEG2.5 Audio Layer 3): 8, 11.025, 12
Supported bit rates (kbps):
MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer 3): 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 160, 192, 224, 256, 320
MP3 (MPEG2/2.5 Audio Layer 3): 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 144, 160
Supports VBR (Variable Bit Rate).
Does not support Audio Layer 1/2.
Emphasis supports only 50/15ms.
Does not support free format.
Does not support DRM (Digital Rights Management).
Supported channel modes:
Stereo, Joint Stereo, Dual channels, Monaural
About the supported WMA file standards
Supported standards:
WMA Ver. 7 to 9
Supported sampling frequencies (kHz):
22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48
Supported bit rates (kbps):
WMA Ver. 7, 8: 48, 64, 80, 96, 128, 160, 192
WMA Ver. 9: 48, 63, 64, 80, 95, 96, 127, 128, 160, 191, 192, 256, 320
Supports 2-channel play only.
Supports VBR (Variable Bit Rate).
Does not support WMA9 Professional/Lossless/Voice.
Does not support DRM (Digital Rights Management).
Supported channel modes:
Stereo, Monaural
About ID3/WMA tags
In MP3/WMA files, you can enter textual attribute information known as ID3 tags/WMA tags to save information such as track titles and artist names.
This unit supports ID3v.1.0, 1.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 tags. This unit supports the ISO 8859-1, 2, 5 and 7 codes only. Use only the ISO 8859-1, 2, 5 or 7 codes to record tags. If characters not included in ISO8859-1, 2, 5 or 7 codes are recorded, they may not be readably displayed.
This unit supports the WMA tag ASF revision (v1.20.02). WMA tags using only Unicode are supported. Always use Unicode characters to enter the information.
When Ver. 1.x and Ver. 2.x of the ID3 tags both exist, precedence is given to Ver. 2.x.
About the supported media types
You can play MP3/WMA files recorded on a CD-ROM, CD-R or CD-RW disc. Compared to the CD-ROM media commonly used for music discs, CD-R and CD-RW discs are fragile in high temperature and high humidity environments. It may not be possible to play some CD-R/CD-RW discs. Fingerprints or scratches on a disc may prevent playback or cause skipping during playback.
Some CD-R/CD-RW discs may deteriorate if left inside a vehicle for a long time.
We recommend that you store UV-sensitive CD-R and CD-RW discs in shield cases.
About the supported disc formats
You can use media in the following formats.
CD-ROM formats:
CD-ROM MODE 1, CD-ROM XA MODE 2 Form 1
File formats:
ISO9660 Level 1 or Level 2
ROMEO system, JOLIET system
MP3/WMA files recorded in a format other than those described above may result in files that cannot be played normally or file names and folder names that do not display properly.
In addition to these standards, the following limitations apply.
Maximum number of directory layers:
8 layers
Supported characters for folder and file names:
A to Z, 0 to 9, and underscore (_)
Number of files that can be stored on a single disc:
512
Number of folders that can be stored on a single disc:
255
[A configuration example of an MP3/WMA-supporting CD]
About the file names
Only a file with the “.mp3”or “.wma” extension is recognised as an MP3 or WMA file. Always save an MP3/WMA file with the “.mp3” or “.wma” extension.
The “.mp3” or “.wma” file extension must be single-byte lower case letters.
If a non-MP3/WMA file has the “.mp3” or “.wma” file extension, it may be recognised erroneously as an MP3 or WMA file. When such a file is played, a loud noise may be output and damage the speakers. Do not save a non-MP3/WMA file with the “.mp3” or “.wma” extension.
Multi-sessions
Multi-sessions are supported and CD-R/RW with recorded MP3/WMA files can be played.
However, when writing with Track-At-Once, be sure to finalise the disc with session close or write protect.
About MP3/WMA playback
When you load a disc containing MP3/WMA files, the system first checks all files recorded on the disc. If the disc has many files and folders, the system may take a while to check them.
While the system is checking the disc, the music that was playing continues to play.
To allow quick checking of files, we recommend that you do not save non-MP3/WMA files or create unnecessary folders on the disc.
Also, we recommend that you write the all data in a single session because the system takes longer to read the CD control information of a multi-session disc.
About the MP3/WMA playing time display
It is possible that the playing time will not be correct, depending on the writing condition of the MP3/WMA file.
It is possible that the playing time will not be correct when VBR (Variable Bit Rate) Fast Up/Down is operated.
