CD music file extension

[pma]

What is the regular CD music file's extension?
Thanks!

[eleet-2k2]

When an Audio CD is burned, music files in the .WAV (wave) format are burned. However, when the CD is placed in a computer for listening, Windows shows you the extension .CDA (CD Audio). If you're trying to make a file association for Audio CDs, use .CDA.

[s1138]

while on topic....

so the .cda is like a shortcut to the wav file. you can view the shortcut but you cant see the actual file? right?

[will]

s1138: something like that. Except cd audio has some extra error checking stuff to compensate for slight imperfections in reading the disk (normally scratches)

[pma]

So the file extension in the CD sold in the CD music shops is .CDA, IS IT?

[Viper007Bond]

Sorta. You computer never sees the audio tracks, just shortcuts to them. The extension on those shortcuts are .CDA

[eleet-2k2]

Short answer, yes, .CDA.

[ujay]

What goes on to an audio disc and what comes off the disc is PCM data(to be more exact what goes to the drive, what goes on the disc is considerable more than you actually send after allowing for error checking and byte expansion and stuff)
PCM is like raw graphics bitmap data, it's no use unless you know how big the original graphic was, how many colours etc. and this gets put in a header added to the file. In the same way PCM files have a header added to them that tells Windows what to expect, things like sample rate, sample resolution, mono/stereo/quad, how long it is, where abouts in the file the data starts, you get the idea. This is known as an IFF header (Interchange File Format) and has been in use since the earliest days to transfer data from one platform to another. Microsofts particular brand is known as RIFF and this is what you will find at the start of every .wav file.

When it comes to playing a CD there is no RIFF header, so to get around the problem Windows creates one, and this is what the .cda file is. It is slightly different from one you will find on a .wav file. e.g. the sample rate etc are always 44.1/16/2 and where the file starts and how long is given as LBAs (I think). You can take a look at it in Wordpad and maybe compare it with the header on a .wav file (or use a hex editor for a better look).

(edit) This means or course that the .cda file is worthless as a music file unless the data it refers to is available in the required drive. (/edit)

UJ

[s1138]

/me whispers...is there a way i can see the wav files on the cd?

[ujay]

CDex, EAC or very strong glasses

UJ