Experiencing troubles with the listenability of Lorde's Clean CD? This news synopsis explores the recurring playback problems users have been encountering.
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Lorde's latest album, 'Virgin,' has been published on a unique clear CD, causing playback issues on numerous CD players. This article delves into the reasons behind these playback issues and compares the clear CD to traditional CDs.
Why Playback Issues Occur
The primary cause of playback issues with Lorde's clear CD is the lack of a reflective metal layer, which is commonly used in traditional CDs to ensure a strong signal. This reduced reflectivity results in a weaker signal, making it difficult for many players to interpret correctly, often leading to playback errors or failures to recognise the disc.
Another factor is the signal strength. The weak signal from the clear CD can pose challenges for CD players, especially older or more basic models. However, newer models with advanced features like automatic gain control may still manage to play the disc.
Comparison to Regular CDs
Regular CDs use a reflective metal layer to ensure a clear, strong signal is sent back to the player, enabling reliable playback on most CD players. In contrast, the lack of a strong reflective layer in Lorde's clear CD results in a weaker signal, which can lead to playback issues on many CD players, particularly those that rely on a strong signal for proper function.
Examples of Player Behavior
During testing, some players like the Marantz CD6007 managed to play the clear CD without issues, likely due to their tray loading mechanism and ability to handle less reflective discs. On the other hand, players such as the NEC and some slot-loaders have struggled or failed to play the clear CD, often due to older technology or stricter format requirements.
Testing Process
The testing process involved identifying the laser pickup (RF) signal test point on the PCB of each respective player. The eye pattern on the oscilloscope was then observed, providing insights into the signal quality and aiding in tuning the CD player.
In conclusion, while Lorde's clear CD presents challenges for many CD players, some models can still manage to play it successfully. It is recommended to burn a CD-R copy of the album and listen to it instead to ensure consistent playback.
Technologists examining the clear CD used in Lorde's latest album 'Virgin' discovered that its weaker signal, due to the absence of a reflective metal layer, could cause playback issues on various CD players, particularly older models with less advanced features. To maintain consistent playback, entertainment enthusiasts might prefer to opt for a CD-R copy of the album, as traditional CDs with reflective layers ensure a stronger, more reliable signal.
