PC help: Which CDs for which players?

Q Music compilation CDs created with CD-R discs do not play in all my CD players. Is this a problem caused by using the wrong file format?

JB Higham

A So long as the CD is created as a music CD, rather than a CD with MP3 or WMA files, then this is not a problem of file formats but one concerning the way that CDs are made.

The CD player reads the CD by shining a laser and looking at the reflections. CD-R discs reflect less light back because of the way they are made. Computer CD and DVD drives are more sensitive because of this, but many audio CD players cannot read the weaker reflections.

The good news is that not all CD-R discs are created equal, so buying more expensive ones specifically designed for audio could solve the problem.