🚀 go-pugleaf

It is true that most recent CD-ROM drives (Apple's, Sun's, and many 
others) can both read CD-ROM discs and play CD audio discs.  Apple's drive 
can also use "mixed mode" discs, reading the CD-ROM track and playing the 
CD audio tracks (but not at the same time).  If you are an official Apple 
developer*, you will have received such a disc.

The original poster, though, wanted to read CD audio data and instead of 
playing it, transfer the digitized audio over the computer interface (SCSI 
in Apple's drive) into his Mac or whatever.  Of the drives I know (20 or so 
including Apple's and Sun's), none will do this.  It is not technically 
impossible, of course.  But no manufacturer seems to provide it for now.

Some time ago, I posted a 5 part technical summary of CD audio, CD-ROM, 
formats, and how it all works.  If there is interest, I can do so again -- 
I would prefer posting to individual requests.  Thanks.

--andy (poggio@apple.com)

*  I know this question will come up so I'll answer it here:  if you want 
to become an official Apple developer, call (408) 996-1010 and ask for 
Developer Services.