Ring Code Guide

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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].

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

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. Typically, if a ring code contains a character that looks similar to an asterisk, a standard asterisk is used as opposed to using the "closest" non-standard character (e.g. * instead of ❋, ⁕, etc).

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 or five 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 usually 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" or "ifpi", followed by four or five alphanumeric characters, however additional text may be present. Mould SIDs can be present on both the data side and the label side of a disc.

Starting Point

Where to start in a ringcode:

  • If there is a barcode-like section of the ringcode, start immediately after it and follow the text direction. Example
    • Ringcode: manufactured by optimal media production<tab>Tivola<tab>01/01<tab>A143740-01
  • If there is no barcode-like section, start with the manufacturer name. Example
    • Ringcode: ZOMAX-MN<tab>C26357<tab>870146
  • If there is no barcode-like section or manufacturer name, use your best judgement. Example
    • Ringcode: *1R* 0743523342<tab>B
  • If there are multiple rings of text on a single-layer disc, start with the ring closest to the center. Example
    • Ringcode: 22752<tab>3<tab>MFG BY CREST NATIONAL - CA E
  • If text goes in two different directions, finish one direction follow above rules and then start the other. Example
    • Ringcode: -MASTERED BY NIMBUS-<tab>CDD7026 SIMON ARC ROM EN ·

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

Note regarding multi-layer discs

Dual-layer discs will commonly have ringcode information on both layers. In the majority of circumstances, Layer 0 refers to the inner layer (closest to the centre of the disc) and Layer 1 to the outer layer (closest to the outer edge of the disc).

However, please note that for Sony mastered discs, this is often reversed, with Layer 0 being the outer and Layer 1 the inner ring. You should carefully check for any identifying information - in the below example (dual-layer DVD), you can see that the mastering code for the outer layer contains "L0", indicating that it is Layer 0 in this case.

If you are following the Disc Dumping Guide (MPF) and have a Sony system (e.g. PS2, PS3) selected, then the fields should already be presented to you in the expected order for Sony discs.

If in doubt, please provide a link to a photo or scan of the ring along with your submission to help us process it accurately.

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

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 [5]

  • 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.

Nintendo

Nintendo Mastering Code

Additional Reading

  • Rings + tabulators in ring codes: [6]
  • taking ringcodes with a smartphone: [7]
  • video example: [8]
  • List of SID codes: [9]
  • Liste der SID- (IFPI-) Codes: [10]
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