Testing Media Quality - Page 6

EclipseSuite

EclipseSuite is probably the most professional utility for checking CD/DVD media. EclipseSuite is being used mostly by CD/DVD premastering companies since it can check the "master" disc for any problems with the following components:

• ImageAnalysis is a format checker and image prescreening tool
• ImageCopy is used to copy and convert or correct image problems
• ImageVerify allows you to compare two images while checking the format on both
• ImageUtilities includes an assortment of advanced tools for lower level problem analysis as well and various tape utilities
• Plug-In Manager is a utility that is built-in to all of the EclipseSuite tools to allow the detection of different copy-protection systems. If the ImageUtilities option is installed on your system, the EclipseSuite tools can then be configured to detect any of the supported plug-ins

Each component fully analyzes CD/DVD images to ensure conformance to all Book and Format specifications. Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange, Green and White. EclipseSuite uses normal readers (either CD-ROM or DVD-ROM) for testing the discs. The price of the EclipseSuite varies and it can reach up to $10.000.

ImageAnalysis

ImageAnalysis is a tool that handles all common input media, and all common CD and DVD formats. ImageAnalysis insures that problem CD, DVD or file images are discovered before time is lost in production. With its configurable interface, you decide the level of protection required. ImageAnalysis does the rest; automatically analyzing the image and interpreting the results. ImageAnalysis excels as a media and format analyzer in both the premastering and the QC environments.

Tests Performed by Image Analysis

• Automatic format and recording mode detection - Identify the format type of the image (e.g. Red Book, Yellow Book, DVD-Video, etc.). Report the recording mode for CD-R and DVD-R sources (e.g. Track At Once, Disc At Once, DVD-R General, etc).
• Low level format analysis by checking for:
  • Main Channel Compliance to format defined rules (e.g. gapping rules) depending on the format, verify that the appropriate gapping rules are followed.
  • Subcode noncompliance (e.g. timing) make sure that all timing (ATIME/RTIME) behaves as per the specifications.
  • TOC and Subchannel data for differences (e.g. recording mode) - Verify the accuracy of the CD TOC information against the information actually recorded on a CD/CD-R.
• High level media analysis by checking for:
  • 3rd layer EDC and ECC errors (uncorrectable and correctable). If an E32 error occurs on a CD-ROM image, it performs additional analysis and provides more information about the corruption.
  • Uncorrectable audio read errors On audio sources, report read-retries and CU errors.
  • Read retries and player speed changes On a CD/CD-R source image, retries and speed changes indicate problems on the source. If the source media is to be used for direct mastering, it may cause a buffer underrun condition. If retries and speed changes occur on a replica, then it indicates that there are E32 errors.
• CD/Tape media performance analysis (data rate, soft read errors)
  • On a CD/CD-R source, this is critical if the source media is to be used for direct-mastering to avoid buffer underruns. On a replicated disc, the performance gives you indication of playability problems.