Before the computer began to be used as the only equipment for playing music files, a special CDA format, Compact disc Digital Audio, was created for listening to laser discs on players, radio recorders, audio players, and other similar technical devices. He allowed the equipment to easily find the desired track and play it.
Characteristics
Unlike the more familiar MP3 and WAV formats, the CDA file is not a collection of music information encrypted in bits, but only a link to the audio track that is on the CD. Thus, during playback, any losing device, including a personal computer, simply opens the message on the CD and finds the desired track. Being actually just a link, the CDA file format has a small weight that does not reach even one kilobit.
How to play
If there is a CD in the drive, the computer will easily find and open music tracks that have the CDA format. For these purposes, you should use a variety of programs that can be downloaded absolutely free, as well as standard players of the operating system. If the computer does not play the format with the specified software, you must additionally install audio codecs that will help the device recognize and read the file.
To play this format, depending on different operating systems, various programs may be required.
For Windows OS:
- iTunes
- Real Networks Player;
- Video LAN media player;
- Windows Media Player
- Winamp Media Player;
- J. River Media Center.
For Mac OS:
- Apple iTunes
- Real Networks Player;
- Video LAN media player.
For Linux OS:
- Video LAN VLC media player.
However, copying these files is pointless, as these are just shortcuts, and they won’t play without media. Immediately after removing the CD from the optical drive, the music track stops playing.
In order to save data on a computer, you should use a special program such as CD Ripper, Exact Audio Copy, etc. This software can convert files to the more familiar format MP3, WAV, WMA, etc. Such programs are small in size and have a fairly simple interface. with which even a not very experienced user can.
Create a virtual image
In order to get high-quality music files without compression, which is used when converting to MP3 and WAV formats, you must create a virtual image of a laser disk. This can be done using special programs such as Alcohol 120%, Nero, DAEMON Tools, etc. This software creates an exact copy of the laser disk and can run it directly on the computer at any time without the need for the presence of an information carrier. To do this, run the program with the laser disc inserted in the optical drive, select the required option and follow the instructions. Before starting music tracks, you need to make sure that the created image is placed in a virtual drive.
How to make CDA format
Changing the data type is easy. To use your computer to convert music files to CDA format, you need to use the same emulator programs mentioned above. They will copy the data and place it as needed directly on a blank CD. After that, the laser carrier can be used in players, music centers and other similar equipment that does not always read popular computer audio formats. This is especially true for older models of technical devices.
The CDA format is a special type of music file that can be played using a variety of playback devices. In order to copy the necessary data directly to the PC, you need to use special programs that convert the information or create its virtual image.