Abstract: An optical medium identification system for identifying an optical medium comprises an imaging apparatus for acquiring an image of an identifier of the optical medium, and an image processing system 12. The optical medium identification system comprises a database 15. The image processing system includes function for decoding the identifier and a function for automatically setting operating parameters during an initialisation stage using a sample optical medium identifier. The imaging apparatus 51 for acquiring an image of an identifier such as a barcode or text on an optical medium such as a disc 2 comprises a bottom section 3 and a top section 4. The top section 4 contains a holder for supporting a disc 2 without occluding the disc identifier and the bottom section 3 contains a camera 5 facing upwardly for taking an image of the identifier.