What are the main differences between audio, MP3, and data CDs using RealPlayer CD burning?

Below are the main differences between using RealPlayer's CD-burning feature to create audio, MP3, or data CDs. For instructions on selecting the format before burning your CD, click here.

Audio CDs:
- Audio CDs can be burned using either the free or premium.
- Audio CDs have a maximum length of 74 minutes due to the uncompressed wave file format.
- Audio CDs can be played in standard audio CD players, DVD players, and computer CD-ROM drives. (Note: CD-R audio discs can be played on any standard CD player, but not all CD players can play CD-RW audio discs.)
- Free features for audio CDs include options to add CD Text and a 2-second gap between tracks. Plus features include Crossfade and Audio Filters.
- The default writing method for audio CDs is Disk-At-Once (DAO) writing. If your CD-burning drive does not support DAO, or if you have selected Track-At-Once (TAO) writing, RealPlayer uses TAO writing instead.

MP3 CDs:
- To burn MP3 CDs, you need to have purchased RealPlayer Plus or subscribed to RealTimes Premium or Unlimited, and signed in.
- If your file is not already in MP3 file format, RealPlayer converts it to MP3 format.
- The compressed format allows MP3 CDs to hold 4 to 12 hours of audio files (depending on the bitrate--a large bitrate such as 320 kbps takes up more space than a lower bitrate such as 128 kbps).
- MP3 CDs can be played in MP3 players and computer CD-ROMs (or any CD player that supports MP3 playback), but not in standard CD players.
- MP3 CDs require enough hard drive free space to copy all queued files to a temporary folder before burning.
- MP3 CDs offer features such as playlist creation and directory structure based on Artist or Album name.
- MP3 CDs are burned using Track-At-Once (TAO) writing.

Data CDs:
- This mode (available in free and Plus version) is intended for storage and backup of media files only (not text documents, PDFs, etc.)
- Burned files are left in original format.
- Data CDs can be accessed by computer CD-ROMs and CD players that support the data filetypes on the CD.
- Data CDs are burned using Track-At-Once (TAO) writing.

Selecting a format

After clicking the Burn tab at the top of RealPlayer, you will see a list of Tasks on the left. Click on Task 1, Select CD Type, and click the button next to the type you wish to burn, as shown in the image below: