4. Offset Correction
Most computer CD-ROM mechanisms suffer from a symptom where there is a small positional error when playing audio CDs. This is because the calculated position vs. the actual position the laser moves to on the disc is slightly different. The consequence of this is that either the start or end of the track is not captured correctly.
Schemes like AccurateRip have been created which allows users to calibrate their &*blooper*8216;data grade&*blooper*8217; mechanism via their ripping application, by inserting a CD that is known by the AccurateRip database on the Internet. A positive or negative offset can be then calculated to adjust for the offset error. Few ripping applications actually support this and it&*blooper*8217;s hit and miss if the CD mechanism supports this either (i.e. each mechanism manufactured is consistent), as the finer details of the firmware in CD drives are rarely advertised.