What makes a CD recorder a recorder is the fact that it can both read and write to compact disks. CD recorders can copy data files such as documents and software, as well as music and video files. Original CD recorders could only write to a CD once. Today's CD recorders have rewrite capability, which allows you to reuse your media.
CD Recorders Have Two Lasers
A CD recorder has a write laser and a read laser. The unit has two separate lasers because writable CDs are coated with a heat-sensitive dye. The write laser runs hotter than the read laser in order to write to the compact disk.
CD Recorders Recognize Blank Media
Put a blank CD into a CD player and the machine will tell you there is no disk in the drive or that the disk has no data. CD recorders are designed to read the surface of blank disks so that they can tell if you are trying to play or record the disk. Because CD players do not record, they do not need this function.
Recognizing a CD Recorder
Most CD recorders are labeled as either CD-R or CD-RW. In some cases they may be labeled as CD burners. DVD recorders should be labeled as DVD-R/CD-R, or --RW, if they have CD recording capability.
Tags: read laser, write compact, write laser
