Mixed Mode CD > What is Mixed Mode?
CD audio and CD-ROM discs usually contain 1 or more tracks of the same mode, ie one of the following:

• CD audio
  
• Mode 1 CD-ROM
  
• Mode 2 CD-ROM XA
  

Mixed mode discs comprise a combination of tracks of different modes, usually one data track (mode 1 or mode 2) plus up to 98 audio tracks.

Since the Red Book was written at a time when CD-ROM was not considered, mixed mode can cause problems when playing on audio players. In particular, it is important to prevent audio players trying to play the data track(s).

Only one of the mixed mode formats, CD Extra or Enhanced Music CD, ensures that CD audio players do not play the data, but there are problems running these discs on older CD-ROM drives.

- posted by J @ 9:51 AM