My new HP/Compaq computer won't burn an audio CD in CDDA format, required by my "old" Technics CD player. HP says the (Vista O/S) computer "won't support" CDDA. The new burner is a combination CD/DVD type which, as I see on Wikipedia, may indeed not be CDDA compatible. Hard to believe, but apparently true. I record my own Yamaha digital piano music, through Novation Speedio and Sony Audio Studio, onto audio CD. But the CDDA problem prevents me from playing my own music on my Technics juke box. I am looking at a "Softpedia" program which purports to solve this problem. Any advice?

What software are you using to burn your CDs, Sony Audio Studio? It sounds very strange that you are having this problem. Basically, when you opt to create an Audio CD, your WAV, MP3, etc. files are automatically converted to CDDA, the standard for audio CDs, so no additional converting is required.

Also, what file types are you trying to burn to CD? If it's something that Sony Audio Studio has created that might be where your problem lies. Make sure that your files are saved as PCM WAV files. There are other types of WAV files which are uncommon and will cause problems when trying to create audio CDs.

Another option is to download a trial version of Nero and give that a try.

I have tried this a number of ways: using Sony Audio Studio, which worked readily on my former (now deceased) e-Machine burner and uses a .wav format; using Windows Media Player with, again, a .wav format; and the most curious, making an "exact copy" of a CDDA disc using the HP installed Roxio disc duplication software. None of these will play on the Technics, the only reason, I must conclude, is as HP told me: the HP burner (or burner software) "does not support" the CDDA format. Look at Wikipedia - see the part about how certain burner manufacturers have elected to not use CDDA because they are more interested in DVD technology than CD technology. I, of course, am unhappy that HP did not mention that the CDs burned on the computer would not play on ALL home CD players. Shame on HP. I noted your earlier posting that the CDDA format would be automatically used to make an audio CD. Apparently there may be an exception to that rule.
I will take a look at Nero; perhaps you could take a look at the "Softpedia" program I mentioned - $20 may be the best way to solve this HP-created problem. Thanks.

Not sure I agree with what they are saying there.

If the CD will play OK on the PC but not on a standalone player then in 99% of cases the CD has not been "closed" or "finalised".

If you cannot find that facility on your current buring app then download the Nero7 free trial that definately has the facility to close already burned CD's.

The chances are that your previous setup finalised the CD's by default so you didn't need to perform this step.

Mr K's hit the nail on the head there Bud. Carefully browse through the default settings in your burner software and ensure "Finalise" is selected. Also remember to start with "Create an Audio CD" setting when you've opened the burn program.

AFAIK Nero is the still the industry standard but it has got bigger and even more complicated to use so try before you buy. Good Luck and pls let us know how you get on.

Thanks. The Roxio software automatically finalizes the audio CD, according to Roxio - and I have tried to specificlly finalize one of the Roxio recorded discs - the response is "it's already finalized." So the problem doesn't seem to be a lack of finalization.
Also, the CD plays on other players (than my Panasonic) - so it seems to be as HP says: the Roxio burner software simply "doesn't support CDDA," as required by my Panasonic player. The "Geek Squad" at Best Buy heard this story and told me to telephone Roxio to get a fix on the software. So far, however, dealing with Roxio is like talking to the wall - but I am still trying. Meanwhile, I'm looking for a CD-R burner (with software compatible with Vista) that "will support CDDA." Thanks again.
Jimhotsprings.

When you look at the CD in Windows Explorer what is the file extension of the tracks?

Back to basics.
If the disc you burn plays on a number of standard audio CD players, then you ARE burning correctly and it MUST be using CDDA format. It`s a well-known fact that SOME players don`t like playing copies / cd-r / cd-rw etc. Sony are particularly infamous in this respect. Also a lot of car CD players have a similar problem.

In your case I would...

Burn an audio CD from whatever source you normally use, but, burn it slow! The slower the better. 4x to 8x speed is a decent compromise. This way you get a better "burn" with less jitter and far less chance of errors. Too many people allow there burners to default to top speed ( 48x or 52x) and then wonder why it skips or won`t play at all. Burn it to a cd-r, NOT a cdrw as an awful lot of players won`t recognise cdrw discs.
Take your newly-burned CD and try it in half a dozen standard CD players... NOT computer CD / DVD drives, not DVD/MP3 players, but domestic standalone type. If the CD plays in more than 2 or 3 of them the disc is OK.
You may get further success by changing the brand of disc you are burning to and slowing the burn even more.
I`d be interested to know how you get on.
----------------
Re-reading your post I see you mention "New" PC and "Old" Technics player. First the player. It makes no difference how old the player is, it conforms to CDDA standard - they all do, so forget about CDDA, CDA, Red Book, and any other type they`ll just cause confusion. I really think the problem may lie with the speed you are burning, or the software. For audio CDs I use Nero or CDRWin. In your case I would install Nero 7, I find it`s the bees knees for most things and has some good audio capabilities.
Good Luck

modo1 - Good advice, back to basics. I've been proceeding based upon the HP and Panasonic "experts" advice about "CDDA" and "not supporting CDDA," etc. My initial instinct in this case was to try another brand of CD-R stock (I was using "Ativa" blanks), but I got deflected from that course by that "CDDA" chatter. Bad decision. Sunday AM, I bought some "Office Depot" CD-R blanks, tried one - plays on the Technics - a "miracle" - then another, same miracle. So, it looks like this was a problem with the Ativa blanks coupled with (likely) a weak burner and (perhaps) a very picky Technics player. Note - I have been burning "slow" since this problem first appeared. I say "weak" burner, because I have made duplicates of my Master CD (plays on the Technics player) on a Microboards Technology CD Duplicator on the same Ativa blanks, and they play on the Technics player. But that same Master will not yield a Technics-playable duplicate on the Ativa stock when run through my computer and its internal burner. My next test of this apparent solution will be to try the HP burner using Memorex and Maxell blanks. My thanks to all commentators for your suggestions in this very frustrating case.
Jimhotsprings.

Sounds like a weird set of coincidences here Jim.
Let`s know how you get on with your next batch of tests.
I`m not familiar with the brand names you`re using, obviously different suppliers on your side of The Pond.
If you can get them I strongly recommend Verbatim Metal Azo discs.. the preferred choice of many .... errr... "duplicators"

modo1 - I'll let you know about the next CD blanks. Yes, it is a wierd set of circumstances. But wierd things happen on this side of the pond. Thanks again for your help.
Jimhotsprings.