Abstract: Disclosed is a disc drive system that includes a digital signal processor for processing information sectors read from a CD media. The digital signal processor is configured to parse the information sectors into data frames and subcode frames. A data auto-start unit for triggering a data transfer to a buffer memory when a desired data frame is detected. A subcode auto-start unit for triggering a subcode transfer to the buffer memory when a desired subcode frame is detected. Preferably, the desired data frame and the desired subcode frame have a same MSF. The disc drive system further includes a buffer manager having a plurality of counters that are configured to track the number of data frames and the number of subcode frames being transferred to the buffer memory, and releasing a block including one of the data frames and one of the subcode frames when the counters indicate that the block is complete.

Abstract: A disc drive apparatus and a method for synchronizing information components read from a compact disc media are described. The method includes selecting a start minutes/seconds/frames MSF for a data component and triggering a transfer of the data component to a buffer when the start minutes/seconds/frames for the data is detected. The method also includes selecting a start minutes/seconds/frames for a subcode component and triggering a transfer of the subcode component to the buffer when the start minutes/seconds/frames for the subcode is detected. A buffer manager monitors the contents of the buffer and counts the data and subcode components through separate counters. The buffer manager releases the data component and the subcode component to a host from the buffer when synchronization of the data component and the subcode component is detected.