when I run Autocorrector, sometimes-not-always the returned match is to a listing on “Vinyl” media.
when I check a manual correction listing, the CD media listing IS there – but not initially selected.
i’ve selected the Prefs’ “prefer CD” media option – but is there a ALWAYS use the CD media listing option?
No, there isn’t, although you can force a set of songs to a particular release using Action:Match to Release:Match to Specified MusicBrainz Release.
The problem is that the database we are matching to (Musicbrainz) is not complete or perfect (such a database does not exist) so it doesn’t help to be to specific about what you should match to. For example there may be a CD release matching your songs, but it doesn’t mean it is the CD release that you have, say you have a 10-song CD release would you prefer which MusicBrainz doesnt have would you prefer to a 10-song Vinyl Release, or a 15-song CD release, I know which I would prefer.
By checking Prefer CD media option and only that CD matches will get a score boost for virtue of being a CD but whether they are the best match depends on how well the tracks match, was it released in preferred country ecetera.
You can modify settings and rerun Manual Correct to see the effect this has on the scores given to potential matches.