Copyright: © 2000-2003 by H+H Software GmbH
Citation: © 2000-2003 by H+H Software GmbH


Overview
 – Overview

The Virtual CD Image Wizard puts together all information required to create a virtual CD, or "image." In addition to the function for creating a 1-to-1 replica of a source CD, the Image Writer also has pages that open for caching data when you use the Virtual CD Editor to create customized virtual CDs or modify existing virtual CD.

When you have completed all input, Image Writer starts automatically and creates the virtual CD according to the data you entered.

The Virtual CD Image Writer has the following pages:

Select Source CD

Results of Analysis

Edit Audio Tracks

Settings for Audio Tracks

Settings for Data Tracks

Target CD Data

Virtual CD Properties

In the title bar of each Image Writer page, one of the following two symbols is shown to indicate whether the Image Writer is running in Easy Copy Mode or Expert Copy Mode.

	Page opened in Easy Copy Mode
	Page opened in Expert Copy Mode


Select Source CD
 – Select Source CD

The Select Source CD page shows all of the available CDs/DVDs that can be used to create a virtual CD. If the CD you wish to use as the source is not included in this list, insert the desired CD. Once the CD you insert is detected by the Windows system--this may take a moment--it is automatically added to the list and can be selected.

	This page is opened only if there is more than one possible source CD/DVD available and Virtual CD cannot discern unambiguously which CD it should use.

From here, you can go to the following Image Writer page(s):

Continue >	Results of Analysis


Results of Analysis
 - Results of Analysis

On the Results of Analysis page, you can check to make sure that the correct source CD was selected. You can view the contents of the CD in the Windows Explorer.

The CD label is the designation displayed next to the drive letter when the virtual CD is shown in your Windows Explorer. The CD label can have up to 32 characters and can include letters, numbers, spaces and hyphens ('dash' or 'minus sign').

	If you change the label of a software CD, there is a chance that the CD application will be unable to find the CD at run time, and thus will not work. This is why the field for entering a label cannot be edited unless you explicitly allow it, by activating the corresponding setting on the Creating Virtual CDs page of the Settings dialog.

Make sure the Description you enter clearly identifies the virtual CD being created. This is the internal name of the virtual CD, shown when the CD is displayed in Virtual CD programs.

The default description is usually the CD label. For audio CDs, however, if you download CD data from the CDDB server, the artist name and album title are automatically entered as the description.

Before this page is opened, the selected source CD is checked for potential problems (such as bad sectors) by Virtual CD's powerful analysis module. Virtual CD suggests a certain set of Copying defaults based on the results of this analysis. The defaults suggested will vary, as there are a large number of problems that can be encountered when creating a copy of a CD, and these problems cannot always be clearly identified. Defaults for the following types of data may be suggested:

•	 Defaults for normal CDs: Settings for CDs that don't appear to present any problems. This setting is optimal for compressing data CDs.

•	Advanced defaults (RAW and sub-channel data): This setting copies all data on the CD. In many cases, this is sufficient for creating a viable virtual CD.

•	Advanced defaults with readout of CD geometry: For an even more precise emulation of the physical CD, you can have the Virtual CD program record a measurement series that detects detailed information relating to the structure of the CD.

•	Defaults for unwritten areas/rings: Some CDs have blank areas that can be clearly distinguished from areas on which data is written. With the normal settings, Virtual CD might spend several days (!) trying to read these blank areas. If you see blank areas on your source CD, be sure to select this setting to minimize the time it takes to make the virtual CD.

•	Defaults for using a Quick Copy file as source: Always select this setting when you want to make a virtual CD from a Quick Copy file.

•	Defaults for using the Virtual CD Editor: Configures the settings you need for creating a virtual CD with the Virtual CD Editor program.

	Which setting are actually available for any given CD depends on the copy method selected.

The Quick Copy file field shows the name and a description of the Quick Copy file to be used. Click on the 'browse' button to the right of this field ("...") to select from a list of all Quick Copy files found.

	The name of a Quick Copy file is shown here only if you selected "Defaults for using a Quick Copy file as source" under "Copying defaults."

The Results of CD analysis section shows the information Virtual CD detected when analyzing the source CD. One of the following two symbols is shown here:

	This means no unexpected information was detected, and Virtual CD will use the applicable defaults to create the virtual CD.
	The analysis showed one or more problems with the source CD. In this case,  Virtual CD automatically chooses the settings that will enable creation of a virtual CD. Caution: Depending on the type of problem detected, it may take up to several hours to create the virtual CD.
	Virtual CD tries to get around any problems detected by adjusting its settings; still, any given CD may have problems that cannot be detected or correctly identified. In such cases, you might want to switch off the "Easy Copy Mode" so you can overwrite the default settings. To do this, go to the Creating Virtual CDs page of the Settings program and select the option that deactivates the Easy Copy Mode. (See below for details about the Easy Copy Mode.)

The Virtual CD Image Writer can run in either of the following two modes:

•	Expert Copy Mode· The Image Writer prompts you for the information required to create a virtual CD. Which dialog pages are opened depends on the type(s) of tracks detected on the source CD.

•	Easy Copy Mode: The Image Writer configures all of the required settings and displays a summary of the main points.

Switch to Expert Copy mode to access advanced settings: This setting lets you switch directly from "Easy" to "Expert" copy mode.

From here, you can go to the following Image Writer page(s):

< Back	Select Source CD
Continue >	Edit Audio Tracks (in Expert Copy Mode, if the source is an audio CD)
Continue >	settings for Data Tracks (if no audio tracks will be included from the source CD)
Continue >	Enter file name and path (in the Easy Copy Mode, this page opens if there is not enough space available on the default path)
Finish	Concludes input and starts the write process in the Image Writer, to create the virtual CD (in the Easy Copy Mode)


Edit Audio Tracks
 – Edit Audio Tracks

The Edit Audio Tracks page lists all of the tracks on the source CD, with title, time number (of the track) and number (of the session), and lets you exclude specific tracks and/or change the track sequence. How this page is displayed depends on whether you use the CDDB server to determine audio CD information (artist, album and track titles).

If you do not have access to the Gracenote CD database, click on Edit or double-click on a track title to open the dialog for editing track titles.

	This page is shown only if the source CD is an audio, CD-Text, CD-Extra or Mixed-mode CD.

From here, you can go to the following Image Writer page(s):

< Back	Results of Analysis
Continue >	Settings for Audio Tracks (if the virtual CD will include audio tracks from the source CD)
Continue >	Settings for Data Tracks (if no audio tracks will be included from the source CD)


Settings for Audio Tracks
 – Settings for Audio Tracks

You can choose from the following two options for virtual CD audio tracks: Store tracks as separate sound files on the hard disk. When you select this option, you can also define the audio compression method (ACM) to be applied.

The audio formats available on your PC form a subgroup under 'ACM'. The standard setting uses a method that creates 1 : 1 images in audio CD quality (PCM, 44,100Hz, 16-bit, stereo).

	Keep in mind: The better the sound quality, the more disk space required! .

This is a general rule to keep in mind when selecting the audio format: the better the sound quality, the more space used up on your hard disk by the virtual CD you create. The standard CODEC (compression-decompression) module integrated in Windows is MS ADPCM, which offers a good compromise between the sound quality achieved and the disk space required. Other CODECs, such as MP3 and VQF, for example, use better compression and provide a sound quality approaching that of the original CD.

When you create music tracks as sound files, you can define whether the source data is read using a digital or an analog technique. Almost all CD-ROMs used today (8x and up) support the function for reading audio tracks digitally.  This option offers better sound quality than the analog technique. Even so, there may be some audible interference. If this is the case, select the analog recording option. With this setting, the audio data is played from the original CD and recorded by your sound card. You can use the Test option, with both the digital and the analog techniques, to check the recording quality and volume.

	Currently only ACM compression is available. This technique has an open interface, however, which means it can be used with a wide variety of CD formats.

If you select the data files  option, the audio data is not treated as audio files by Virtual CD, compressed using audio coding/compression methods, but rather the raw data is read digitally and stored as data tracks. The compression method used, if selected, is for data compression. This compression method does not have the error tolerance that audio compression does, and is less efficient for audio tracks than the audio compression methods, which are designed especially for use with music files.

From here, you can go to the following Image Writer page(s):

< Back	Edit Audio Tracks
Continue >	File name and path (if audio tracks are created as sound files and there are no data tracks to be included on the virtual CD)
Continue >	Settings for Data Tracks (if the audio tracks are to be created as data tracks or if a data track from the original CD is to be included on the virtual CD)


Settings for Data Tracks
 - Settings for Data Tracks

 In the Settings for Data Tracks you can precisely define the method used for reading the source data. These are the most important options for creating your virtual CD!

When you insert the source CD, Virtual CD analyzes the performance of its CD-ROM drive and the structure of the source-CD data and suggests a "conservative" choice of settings. You can change these settings as desired.

Depending on which Copying defaults are selected on the Results of Analysis page, certain settings may already be configured. These can also be customized to suit individual requirements.

•	Fast sector read: The sectors are read out in blocks, rather than individually. With this option selected, the reading process is generally faster, but if a defective sector is found in a given block, then the other sectors in that block must be read again individually. Using the fast-read option is generally recommended, but if the resulting virtual CD doesn't work, deselect this option and try again.

•	Fast detection of bad sectors: When this option is active, each sector is read once and potential problems are detected only if the check routine returns an error. If "fast detection" is deactivated, each sector is read repeatedly until exactly the same data is read several times in a row. If you have difficulties creating a virtual CD from a given source CD, try activating this option. Keep in mind, however, that it takes longer to make the virtual CD with this option active.

	This option is available only if Correct defective sectors is activated.
•	Read RAW sectors: RAW sectors contain information in addition to the desired user data. If the copy-protection technique used on the source CD evaluates this data, it must be read in order to create the virtual CD. For example, reading RAW sectors is required to create virtual video CDs, CD-Extra CDs or audio CDs. The disadvantage is that the resulting virtual CD takes up more disk space, as additional files are included in the container.

•	Read sub-channel data: Sub-channels also contain additional information which is often required for the CD, especially for newer audio CDs. Again, the disadvantage is that the virtual CD takes up more disk space.

	To find out whether your CD-ROM drive can read RAW data and sub-channel data, check the properties of the physical drive in the CD Management program.
•	Number of repeat reads for each sector: Readout quality can be improved-especially for older CD-ROM drives-by reading each sector repeatedly. If a lot of errors are detected, the number of repeat reads should be set to 2 or 3. This slows down the overall read speed, however.

•	Source drive read speed: With some CD-ROM drives, the readout quality can be improved by decreasing the speed. This can also reduce noise, as the source CD rotates more slowly.

	Not all CD-ROM drives permit detection of the data readout speed. If this function is not supported by the physical CD drive you are using, this option is not available for selection. Other drives support the function, but return incorrect (and unrealistic!) values. If this is the case, make sure you do not select a value higher than that specified for your CD drive. If the read speed can be determined, the select list shows only the speeds that the CD drive can actually use.
•	Dynamic error correction: The degree of precision with which a CD drive can read data depends in part on how fast the data is read. This is especially relevant when defective sectors are found. With this option selected, data readout speed is set to a speed as close as possible to 4x when errors are detected, to improve accuracy. You can change this speed if desired, under Read speed for errors. If no errors are found, the maximum speed is used throughout the process.

	Do not set a readout speed for errors higher than the normal readout speed selected.
•	Number of sectors to be skipped by the dynamic search:  If a number of defective sectors in a row are detected, Virtual CD can try to skip them all at once. This can greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to read the data from the source CD. Enter "1" to switch this function off. If you want to modify this setting, keep in mind that a value lower than 100 will not lead to any noticeable advantage.

	In some case, automatically skipping multiple bad sectors can result in a virtual CD that does not work.
•	Create a Quick Copy file: Select this option to store the settings for virtual CD in a Quick Copy file. Once you make a Quick Copy file, or obtain one from a co-worker, friend or acquaintance, it can significantly reduce the time required the next time you make a virtual CD from the physical CD in question.

	If a Quick Copy file already exists for the physical CD but you select this option anyway, you are prompted to confirm before the file can be created, as there is generally no advantage in creating a second Quick Copy file.
	We recommend creating Quick Copy files only for problematic CDs, as they do not offer any advantages for CDs that can use basic or default settings.
•	Read CD geometry data: For an even more precise emulation of the source CD, you can have Virtual CD store a set of measurement data pertaining to the CD structure. This data cannot be detected in the same manner on every CD drive. You can adapt this function to the drive you are using by selecting from among the following options:

•	Determine measuring interval every time: Each time you create a virtual CD, the optimum parameters are determined for the physical drive in use. In a few cases, this can lead to better emulation results, but it increases the time required for reading geometry data.

•	Determine measuring interval automatically: The optimum measurement interval is determined automatically for the drive in use. The value determined is used every time you use the same CD drive for your source CD, and the setting "Apply specified measuring interval" is automatically activated.

•	Apply specified measuring interval: The interval specified is applied every time you choose to have the CD geometry data read. The value here can be between 1 and 100.

From here, you can go to the following Image Writer page(s):

< Back	Settings for Audio Tracks (if the virtual CD will include audio tracks from the source CD)
< Back	Results of Analysis (if no audio tracks will be included from the source CD)
Continue >	Settings for Virtual CD Destination


Settings for Virtual CD Destination
 – Settings for Virtual CD Destination

The File name field includes the full path and file name for storing the virtual CD on the hard disk. The default in this field is made up of the path configured on the Global page of the Settings program and the text from the CD label or description. You can edit this name if desired.

	The full name must not contain more than 254 characters.

Generally, the path shown here is selected (white letters on a dark blue background) when this dialog opens. When you type in a name for the file, the entire default name (including path) is replaced by what you type. If you simply enter a file name, without specifying a path, Virtual CD automatically adds the default path (see above) and the .vc4 file name extension.

If you work with virtual CDs stored on the network as well as with locally stored virtual CDs, you can define whether a given CD is displayed in one or both of the following views:

•	Local view: The virtual CD is stored on the local hard disk, and is initially available only on that computer.

•	Network view: The virtual CD is stored on the network and is available to all workstations that use the same global configuration path.

	This setting defines only where the virtual CD is visible, and not necessarily where it is stored. For example, a virtual CD stored on a UNC path in the network can be assigned to a local view for testing before adding it to the "Network view".
	If you use only locally stored virtual CDs or only CDs stored on the network, this configuration option is not available; the virtual CD is automatically added to the correct View.

Select the option Create a new folder for this virtual CD/DVD  if you want Virtual CD to create a separate folder for the container files that make up your virtual CD. Since each virtual CD consists of several files, it can be difficult to tell later which files belong to which virtual CD. For this reason, we recommend leaving this option activated.

The figures for space requirements and hard disk capacity show you at a glance whether there is enough space available at chosen destination. Click on Hard disk details... to check the space available on other hard disks.

	If you are working in Easy Copy Mode, this option is shown only if there is not enough space available on the selected hard disk.

If there is not enough space available for the virtual CD, you can try changing the compression settings to make a virtual CD that fits at the chosen destination.

Other options include switching off compression for data tracks, and choosing from 4 compression levels. The higher the compression level you choose, the longer it takes to create the virtual CD and the more CPU time is used when you run the CD. On the other hand, the lower the compression, the more hard-disk space is taken up by the resulting virtual CD.

	The options for compression apply only to data tracks, and to audio tracks that are written as data. The compression for audio tracks written as sound files are determined by the choice of ACM CODEC.

From here, you can go to the following Image Writer page(s):

< Back	Results of Analysis (in Easy Copy Mode)
< Back	Settings for Audio Tracks (in Expert Copy Mode, if the audio tracks are to be created as sound files and no data tracks are to be included on the virtual CD)
< Back	Settings for Data Tracks (if the audio tracks are to be created as data tracks or if a data track from the original CD is to be included on the virtual CD)
Continue >	Virtual CD Properties (in Expert Copy Mode)
Finish	Concludes input and start the write process in the Image Writer, to create the virtual CD (in the Easy Copy Mode)


Virtual CD Properties
 – Virtual CD Properties

You can define the following properties for your virtual CD:

•	Password: You can assign a password to prevent unauthorized use of a given virtual CD. Once a password is assigned, the password is required before the virtual CD can be inserted or ejected, or its properties edited. When you assign a password, you have to enter it twice to make sure it is entered correctly. We recommend using a password that is not too easy to guess. The longer the password, the more secure it is; combinations of numbers and letters are also more secure than simple words. The password is case sensitive (capitals are distinguished from lower-case letters), and can have up to 15 characters.

	The password merely protects the CD from unauthorized access; the virtual CD data itself is not encrypted.
•	Start program and working directory: The start program you define here is started automatically whenever that virtual CD is inserted in a virtual drive. Enter the command that calls the program, as well as its working directory.

•	Hotkey: You can define a key combination, or 'hotkey', for automatically inserting the CD without running a Virtual CD program. If a start program has been defined for the CD, this is also started automatically.

•	Insert the virtual CD automatically in this drive: Select this option and a drive letter to have the virtual CD inserted automatically as soon as it has been created.

•	CD Comment: Click on the CD comment... button to enter additional information about the CD.

	All virtual CD properties can be edited at a later stage on the corresponding dialog page of the CD Management program.

From here, you can go to the following Image Writer page(s):

< Back	Settings for Virtual CD Destination
Finish	Concludes input and starts the write process in the Image Writer, to create the virtual CD (in the Easy Copy Mode)


Editing Track Titles
 – Editing Track Titles

You can enter any text for the title of an audio track. Click on Edit... on the 'Audio track settings' page to open this dialog.

The track number is the number that the track had on the original CD. You can edit the track title in the input field; the new title is then used as the file name when the sound file is stored.


Storing Additional CD Information (Comment)
 – Storing Additional CD Information (Comment)

You can add a comment of up to 2047 characters. For example, you might use this field to pass on information, such as a serial number, required for running the application on the CD.


Testing the Audio Recording (Digital ACM)
 – Testing the Audio Recording (Digital ACM)

The recording test lets you check whether audio tracks are recorded correctly. To do this, select the title from which you would like to make a test recording and click on the Test... button. Once the recording is complete, click on Play. If the recording doesn't have the quality you want, click on Change audio format to select a different format. If you hear background noise, try using the analog method rather than the digital method.


Testing the Audio Recording (Analog ACM)
 – Testing the Audio Recording (Analog ACM)

The recording test lets you check whether audio tracks are recorded correctly. To do this, select the title from which you would like to make a test recording and click on the Test... button. Once the recording is complete, click on Play. If the recording doesn't have the quality you want, click on Change audio format to select a different format.

If you don't hear anything when you start the test recording, check the volume setting for ".wav" files and the CD-audio recording settings. Both must be active for analog recording of audio tracks.


Hard Disk Details
 – Hard Disk Details

This dialog shows details on all the hard disks in your system, including the total disk space and available space on each disk, and whether or not it is a read-only (RO) drive. This can help you choose a suitable target directory for your virtual CDs.


Selecting a Quick Copy File
 – Selecting a Quick Copy File

The list shows all Quick Copy files found. Select the file you wish to use to create a virtual CD. If you want to create a new Quick Copy file, select the file(s) you wish to replace and click on Delete.