Ring Code Guide

From Redump Wiki

When submitting dumps to Redump it is important to submit all Ring Codes that you can see. Ring codes that are too difficult to read are not required, but for the sake of completion, do your best. If you want to get all the ring codes, a magnifying glass can help, also two recommended products on Amazon[1] [2].

Symbols, Logos, and other Special Cases

To clarify we still want your disc submissions in redump, even if you can't read all the ring codes, just do your best :)

Contents 1 General Ring Code Guide 1.1 Types of Ring Codes 1.2 Example 1 2 System-Specific Quirks 2.1 PlayStation 1 2.2 PlayStation 2 3 Additional Reading

General Ring Code Guide

Ring codes are the small letters and numbers near the center hole of discs. They can contain important information, such as for identifying software revisions. Always transcribe ring codes verbatim, keeping the same UPPER or lower case in use as printed. Separate any larger-than-single-space (" ") spacing breaks with a tab symbol for your submissions.

Types of Ring Codes

• Mastering Code (laser branded/etched): Mastering Codes are the most pronounced of all ring codes. They often contain identifiers and other information depending on the disc manufacturer. They often wrap all the way around the disc ring and have spacing breaks in between.
• Mastering SID Code: Mastering SID Codes are nearby the Mastering Codes. They indicate what machine made the glass master of the disc. They are often smaller and sometimes hidden above the Mastering Code, barely legible due to size. They generally start with "IFPI", then followed by four more characters.
• Toolstamp or Mastering Code (engraved/stamped): Usually referred to simply as "Toolstamp". These are impacted into the disc. They are often very short and sometimes stamped backwards.
• Mould SID Code: Mould SID Codes are the most difficult to read. They indicate what plant the disc was manufactured at and the machine that did so. A list of SID Codes can be found at List of SID codes. They often require looking at a certain angle, bouncing light off of them at the right angle, or using with a magnifier or microscope. They are printed in the center-most area (the transparent area of the disc) and do not have color, simply being impacted onto the disc. They usually start with "IFPI", however additional text make be present.

Example 1

This example makes use of a PlayStation 2 DVD-ROM, which was manufactured by Sony DADC in Austria.

Example Image

The proper way to transcribe this is:

1. Mastering Code (laser branded/etched): Sony DADC<tab>A0100368905-0101<tab>13

2. Mastering SID Code: IFPI L553

3. Toolstamp or Mastering Code (engraved/stamped): A2

4. Mould SID Code: IFPI 94V1

System-Specific Quirks

PlayStation 1

PlayStation 1 discs are black, making full ring codes difficult to read - except Mould SID Code which is easy to read due to it being impacted.

To get full ring codes, special techniques are required.

1. Non-LED Flashlight + Scanner [3][4]

• Scan the disc in a moderately lit room while shining the flashlight on it.

2. Certain Scanners

• Some scanners seem to be able to just outright scan the ringcodes, although it is not as clear as Method 1 and may require photo manipulation. (Tested with Epson V600 @ 1200DPI) [5]

3. Nintendo Switch Joycon IR Camera + Joy-con Toolkit

• You can either read it directly from the Toolkit video feed, or point the camera at the disc sitting on a scanner while scanning.

4. IR TV Remote (Or other IR light source) + DSLR Camera [6]

• Shine the IR light by pressing buttons on the remote while taking a picture with a DSLR compatible camera.

5. iPhone (Semi-recent) + VSCO App (Or other apps that let you keep the flashlight on while taking a picture)

• Use either a built-in or third party app that lets you take pictures with the LED flash on your phone remaining on the entire time you are 'aiming your picture' [not just for the flash].

• Place the disc data side up, and hold your phone approximately 5 inches or so away from it straight above it.

• If you slowly move your phone in a small circle clockwise or counter clockwise, you should see some interesting light reflections. Eventually, you'll be able to time it to where you see the full circle of bright color reflecting off the disc.

• After doing this a few times, you can experiment with the exact angle, and distance from the disc, but eventually, you'll be able to achieve the reflection in a way where the circle of bright colorful light lines up perfectly with the ringcode area (or close) and you can easily see the ringcode. If you have steady hands, you can snap a pic in that moment to capture it. Or worst-case, even if you can just use the reflection to see the ringcode data on your phone screen, that might work as well. You will eventually get rings of red and blue lights, and you can then "match" up those rings to the ringcode, and be able to snap the pic then and read everything.

PlayStation 2

PlayStation 2 DVD-Roms contain Mastering Code (laser branded/etched), Mastering SID Code, Toolstamp or Mastering Code (engraved/stamped), and Mould SID Code on the Data side + Mould SID Code on the label side.

PlayStation 2 CD-Roms do not contain Mould SID Code on the Label side.

Additional Reading

• Rings + tabulators in ring codes: [7]
• taking ringcodes with a smartphone: [8]
• video example: [9]
• List of SID codes: [10]
• Liste der SID- (IFPI-) Codes: [11]