Subcode or subchannel data refers to data contained in a compact disc in addition to digital audio or user data, which is used for control and playback of the CD. The original specification was defined in the Red Book standard for CD Digital Audio, though further specifications have extended their use.
Structure
Subchannel data is multiplexed with the digital audio or user digital data. The data in a CD are arranged in frames. A frame comprises 33 bytes, of which 24 bytes are audio or user data, eight bytes are error correction, and one byte is for subcode. Frames are arranged in sectors, which contain 98 frames each. The subcode bytes of the first two frames of a sector are used as two synchronization words. The subcode bytes of the remaining 96 frames of a sector are split into eight 96-bit long subcode channels by putting together the nth bit of each subcode byte. Each channel has a bit rate of 7.35 kbit/s. Each subcode bit/subchannel is designated by a letter from P to W. The following diagram illustrates how the channels are laid out:
Channels
Both the P and Q channels on a regular audio CD are used for timing information. They assist the CD player in tracking the current location on the disc, and to provide the timing information for the time display on the CD player. The rest are not used in the Red Book specification.
Channel P is a simple "pause music" flag, which can be used for low-cost search systems. Many players ignore it in favor of the Q Channel. It indicates a start of a new track by at least two consecutive seconds of all 1s, and the last block with all 1s is the first block of the new track.
Channel Q is used for control purposes of more sophisticated players. It has three different modes, but with a common structure for all of them.
*Control bits: The first four bits are used for control, each being a flag for a different feature:
**Data flag: Indicates that this track contains data. Can be used for muting in audio CD players. Not used in the original CD-DA standard, added in the CD-ROM specifications.
**Q Mode 2: In this mode, the data bits contain the Media Catalog Number of the disc.
**Q Mode 3: In this mode, the data bits contain an International Standard Recording Code for each track. The ISRC is used by the media industry, and contains information about the country of origin, the year of publication, owner of the rights, as well as a serial number.
Channels R through W are unused by Red Book compliant CDs and Yellow Book compliant CD-ROMs, and have been used for extensions to the standard:
* CD-Text is an extension to the Red Book standard for audio CDs. It allows for storage of additional information on the R through W subcode channels on the disc.
* The CD+G or “karaoke” extension also uses the R through W subcode channels to store low resolution graphics.
Jack on CD players
Some older CD players, such as the Pioneer PD-5010, have a socket for a miniature 8-pin connector on the back labeled "Subcode Out".
