Ok, everyone, this thread is for people who are having problems playing MP3s in their Shaker. I've come to the conclusion that many people with "bad head units" have a combination of a bad head unit and non-compatible CDRs. So, please post here what brand of CDR you are using and if it works with your Shaker.

BTW, please don't just assume that the brand labelled on the top of your CDR is the same as the brand which manufactured it. In some, (in fact, I would say MOST) cases, they are two different companies.

You can download the program below to tell you who manufactured your CDR (No affiliation with the company, just a nice little prog which is useful for our purposes).

http://w510.tm.odessa.ua/soft/cdr_at...ip_read_st.zip

Here are my results so far:

Plasmon Data Systems, med. type B, low Beta (B-) short strategy: This one works about 1/3 of the time.

CMC Magnetics Corp. (labelled as Memorex silver label), med. type A, high Beta (A+), short strategy: This one doesn't work at all.

Ritek (labelled as Memorex white label), med. type A, low Beta (A-) short strategy: This one works all the time, no problems yet.

What do you guys have?

 

I have had problems with CDs I've burned in .cda format, but using the same CD-R disks with .mp3's burned, it works fine.

 

I've used Memorex, "value disks" (Free from Office Max), and Office Depot labeled disks -- both with normal CD format and MP3's, all with no problems.

 

I use Maxell. No issues with the discs. It is the headunit that has the problems.

 

Are you guys burning MP3 CDs with folders in them, or just MP3s on the root directory?

 

I only use Taiyo Yuden made media regardless of CD-R or DVD +/- R. TY media has never failed on me yet, whether in players, or on my computer. 5000+ (yes, over 5 thousand) CD's burned, and 1000+ DVD's and never even a coaster except when my cat jumped on my keyboard and caused Nero to cancel Maybe the Shaker just requires the goodness that is Taiyo discs?

 

Both. I have made several cd's that contain folders and the odd one's just in the root directory. If you do not close the session and make the cd read only quite often they do not work in the Shaker.

 

I only have one Memorex that has folders and it doesn't work at all.

Mike E

 

memorex. no problems. I think if you try to burn at a slower speed ,it may help.No folders for me and I close the session always.

 

FWIW, I just bought some Sony media, and so far it has worked fine, unlike the Plasmon media I was trying to use. I ejected the Sony media a couple of times and put it back in...no problems. I was having skipping problems with my other media even when the discs would work. So far no skipping with the Sony media.

I recorded with the Disc At Once method (I think this helps, also as mentioned earlier make sure that you finalize the session and the disc). I was actually told straight from Delphi (who makes the Shaker) that the disc must be closed and finalized (so use the DAO method as it is better than TAO). They also said that CDRW will not play in the Shaker although I seem to remember someone saying that they got a CDRW to work.

Although I know that some Shakers have problems playing even store bought CDs, I really think that for most of us we are having media compatability problems.

As mentioned earlier, Taiyo Yuden is the best media out there. Verbatim is second best from what I've heard. Unfortunately I couldn't get either locally which I why I went with Sony.

Some people are having success with Memorex and some are not...this is because Memorex uses different manufacturers for their CDRs, some of which are good, and some are bad (CMC is bad).

I will post again if I have any problems or further information.

 

Using cheapo Office Depot-labeled made in India. Every one I've made works fine. I always burn at slower than max speed - not that either is terribly fast anymore by today's standards.

MP3 discs for me are always structured with folders.

 

Shea, which manufacturer of the Sony media are you using? I'd bet it turns out to be TY. Also, SOME Memorex is the Taiyo stuff that I mentioned. And, a good chunk of the Indian-made media has turned out real nice, but I've never used it. Here's a hint peeps:

when you buy media, look for "Made in Japan" on the cannister. The MIJ stuff is top-notch, and it is manufactured under very strict quality control. This may not prevent problems, but it can almost assure it isn't bad media- thus removing one variable.

 

The stuff I bought is not TY, because it had "Made in Taiwan" on the packaging. When I looked up the information on the CDRs, it actually listed Sony as the manufacturer.

That kind of suprised me...anyway, they work, so I'm happy.

And yeah, I agree, buy the Made in Japan stuff...only thing is, I couldn't find any locally, but there are plenty of places online.

 

I've used Imitation (me thinks...something like that) and it works great for a bit. Then for some reason, the Shaker doesn't like it every so often. However; once its recognized and I don't change discs, it always will play...even after listening to just radio for a few days.

As for burning, I've just used Windows XP explorer to do it.

 

I had the exact same problem as you did with my initial burns (the Plasmon CDRs), but I got sick of not being able to change discs without going through a bunch of hassle getting it to read the disc again.

You might want to consider re-burning with a better brand...I'm very happy I did, because I've had zero issues since.

 

Ya...I'm low in CDRs and saw this thread. Nice timing.

If I'm reading this right, Taiyo Yuden and then Verbatim? I've heard to not get colored CDRs. Just the good ol' silver. Any truth to this?

 

Taiyo Yuden is the absolute best, but they very rarely will be sold as TY. They OEM for others. Fuji, Sony, Maxell, and some online manufacturers.

http://www.supermediastore.com/taiyo-yuden...-cdr-media.html

http://www.allmediaoutlet.com/allmedia/tai...r-subcat-89.htm

 

If I pick up a Fuji, Sony, etc...is there somewhere on the packaging to verify they are Taiyo Yudens?

 

On Fuli's, if they say Made in Japan. You'll find them easily at Meijer. They are the multi-colored discs- just make sure they're MIJ. Other brands have MIJ by Prodisc. Very good discs, just not Taiyo's.

 

The Sony's I got were multi-colored. I've never heard anything about only getting silver.