A Proper Techy Question

[Crazyface]

I'm stumped with this. I've been given a CD with some karaoke songs on. The extension is ... .cda In these files there is music and video. There are ways to convert to other extensions, mp3 mp4 wav etc but all these only have the music file. I can play the CD correctly using my karaoke software, but when I copy the files and try to play them the software goes all wonky and spits out error files. Now after 30 mins the software plays the file BUT no matter which track I select it only plays the first track. What is this fuffery? Who has come up with such a fiendishly clever system to prevent copying and can I beat it?

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Has the CD got copy protection written onto it?
I suspect if it has video content it probably has.
You are probably going to need "other" sources of information and ripping software to copy it. Having dabbled many years ago, I gave up as the hassle wasn't worth the outcome.

 

[Crazyface]

I can't tell. It's a mystery to me

 

[GreiginFife]

I'm stumped with this. I've been given a CD with some karaoke songs on. The extension is ... .cda In these files there is music and video. There are ways to convert to other extensions, mp3 mp4 wav etc but all these only have the music file. I can play the CD correctly using my karaoke software, but when I copy the files and try to play them the software goes all wonky and spits out error files. Now after 30 mins the software plays the file BUT no matter which track I select it only plays the first track. What is this fuffery? Who has come up with such a fiendishly clever system to prevent copying and can I beat it?

MP4 files are video MPEG4 files that can also carry audio/subtitles etc. So converting to MP4 is an option.

But as BM says above, if the source has copy protection then it becomes more difficult. You can try to search for DVD ripping software.

.cda files are usually not audio or video files. These are usually deployed as stub files that basically tell the software where a track starts and finishes.

 

[Billysboots]

?

 

[Foxholer]

Don't .cda files only act as 'pointers' to the 'real' files for other programs? In effect, a track list.
Have you tried using Windows Media Player? You might need to download it first. Both assume you are using a Windows PC.

Btw. Let me just confirm what you are trying to do....
You are trying to copy a load of music, presumably created/acquired legitimately, that someone else has spent resources/talent creating. And you are trying to play (use) that copied output without providing any 'reward for/benefit to' the original talent... Do you not consider that a somewhat dodgy thing to do?

 

[Jimaroid]

I suspect you’ve got a CD+G disc. Does it have the Compact Disc + Graphics logo on it?

You need to find some better CD ripping software.

Easiest thing to do is put it all in the bin and buy the digital versions.

 

[Crazyface]

Don't .cda files only act as 'pointers' to the 'real' files for other programs? In effect, a track list.
Have you tried using Windows Media Player? You might need to download it first. Both assume you are using a Windows PC.

Btw. Let me just confirm what you are trying to do....
You are trying to copy a load of music, presumably created/acquired legitimately, that someone else has spent resources/talent creating. And you are trying to play (use) that copied output without providing any 'reward for/benefit to' the original talent... Do you not consider that a somewhat dodgy thing to do?

No. What I'm trying to do is have stuff on these disks, purchased by the owner of said disks, put on my system so that he and she can then sing the songs they want to when they are at my karaoke gigs. No benefit to me at all. I hate ALL the dreadful songs they both sing. They are all atmosphere killers, to the point that I play the most up tempo songs after they have sung and turn up the volume so that the people at the venue get a immediate boost. It would suit me fine to be able to inform them that it's not possible for me to copy the files and use them. They don't like handing over their disks at the venue in case they get damaged. So I'm trying to help, I must be insane!

 

[Crazyface]

MP4 files are video MPEG4 files that can also carry audio/subtitles etc. So converting to MP4 is an option.

But as BM says above, if the source has copy protection then it becomes more difficult. You can try to search for DVD ripping software.

.cda files are usually not audio or video files. These are usually deployed as stub files that basically tell the software where a track starts and finishes.

I'll try MP4. But don't think that will work.

 

[jim8flog]

I can't tell. It's a mystery to me

Toyah DVD then

 

[jim8flog]

just look at cda extension wikipedia and it is well explained.

 

[Foxholer]

No. What I'm trying to do is have stuff on these disks, purchased by the owner of said disks, put on my system so that he and she can then sing the songs they want to when they are at my karaoke gigs. No benefit to me at all. I hate ALL the dreadful songs they both sing. They are all atmosphere killers, to the point that I play the most up tempo songs after they have sung and turn up the volume so that the people at the venue get a immediate boost. It would suit me fine to be able to inform them that it's not possible for me to copy the files and use them. They don't like handing over their disks at the venue in case they get damaged. So I'm trying to help, I must be insane!

You have (almost) completely missed the point of my 'challenge', though what you are attempting to do is not as bad as I thought it might be - it's 'convenience/security' cf 'piracy'. The fact that you don't personally like the content is irrelevant though.
I suggest you try using the WMP approach I mentioned in mypost. There's plenty of info/vids on t'internet about how to do it.

 

[GreiginFife]

What is that actual file type that you are trying to convert from? it's not .cda as that's the stub file and it could be why it's only playing one track.

I personally wouldn't use windows media played for trying to rip files that contain video. But it's all dictated by what you are trying to convert from then you can work out what you are converting to.

 

[Crazyface]

What is that actual file type that you are trying to convert from? it's not .cda as that's the stub file and it could be why it's only playing one track.

I personally wouldn't use windows media played for trying to rip files that contain video. But it's all dictated by what you are trying to convert from then you can work out what you are converting to.

Okey dokey. I've been to the website from where they've got the disks from and I think the orginal files will be CD+G files. (I don't understand what .cda is at all. )

 

[Crazyface]

How can you get to the original files? All the songs listed on the disk have the extension .cda

Confused.

 

[Crazyface]

Hang on a minute. The site has software to rip files from the disks!!!!!

 

[Crazyface]

All done. Christ his disks were grubby. I had to clean them all to allow the cd to play them. I'll put a charge on them when I see him next, NYE party !!!!!