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Tagging for dummies

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robcharlus

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I'm probably the only person who doesn't know this, but exactly how does tagging work? Obviously there is information coded on a CD. However, the information can't be as clear as the CD title and tracks title because the systems I've used go to an internet site. Also, while the information is usually very accurate for pop CDs, it is nonexistent or wrong for other CDs like older jazz or classical. Sometimes the entire CD is wrong, sometimes the track order is wrong (this seems to happen with the All Music Guide that Windows uses), sometimes it's as small as Bruce Springsteen being classified as Goth Rock. Can someone explain?
 

jh-retired

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Obviously there is information coded on a CD.
Actually, it's not. The "Tag" information resides on the internet. When you import a CD, the tag information is downloaded from "CDDB."

CDDB is an online database of audio CD tag information. While it is generally acceptably reliable, there are problems such as those that you mention. This is because CDDB's database is essentially built by individual users. It doesn't get information from any 'official' source. When a user "tags" a new CD, they can choose to submit their tags to CDDB. Errors often 'get through.' If a user misspells a song or artist, it usually stays on the server that way. Same goes for incorrect ordering, wacky genre assignments, etc.

All in all, CDDB is a wonderful resource, as it is accurate enough to make it save a lot of time importing CDs on average. In some instances, yeah... it's a little messy and requires fixing, but IMHO, it's still a great thing. :D

BTW... When you do fix something, use your audio program's "Submit CDDB Information..." feature to help others out!

Also... If you'd like a "Tagging in iTunes for dummies" article, check out my new iPod 101 tutorial here.
 
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jh-retired

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The CD's Table of Contents serves as its identifier.

The "TOC" is essentially a list of the start/stop times for each track.

One source of unreliability is that with as many CDs as are on the market nowadays, SOME have the same number of tracks and track times. Very few, yes... but it's possible, and it's happened to me before. :D

For more, here's a nice, easy explanation of CDDB, from TechTV.

http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/features/jump/0,24331,2189035,00.html
 
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