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Best Free CD-DVD Burning Software
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Introduction
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When looking for the best free software program for either CD (Compact Disc) or DVD (Digitally Versatile Disc) I think it is worth the effort to consider your exact requirements. Keep in mind that CD & DVD burning programs are designed for you to author CDs and DVDs for: music, photos, movies, games, data, or other digital files that will hopefully stimulate your creativity. As well as CD and DVD burning software, this category also includes Lightscribe software which enables you to produce laser-etched labels with text or graphics, as opposed to stick-on labels and printable discs. With new software (particularly new free software) don't be afraid to experiment and try a few different options before you decide on the right one for you. |
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Discussion
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ImgBurn includes support for:
ImgBurn has several 'Modes', each one for performing a different task: Read - Read a disc to an image file. ImgBurn's advanced features may confuse you if you just want to do a basic burn. The welcome menu provides quick access to some common tasks, but other basic features such as erasing a re-writable disc are not immediately visible. Try playing around with ImgBurn for a while. Exploring the menus will certainly reveal most of what you need. However, if you simply aren’t interested in advanced functionality you may wish to check out my other recommendations. Although ImgBurn is primarily aimed at advanced users, I still feel that it deserves top spot in this category.
A launch window lets you choose the type of project you want and leads you through the process to completion. Navigating your directories is easy with BurnAware's file management system and adding files is as simple as highlighting them and hitting a button. BurnAware offers enough features for most burning projects including burn data, bootable and multi-session discs, burn audio, video and MP3 discs, create and burn ISO/CUE/BIN images, copy discs to ISO images and erase rewritable discs. Sometimes you just need a simple program for your burning needs and don't need all the extra features of a paid application. Supports:
Big picture - CDBurnerXP is a quick and easy solution for creating audio CDs, video discs (DVD and Blu-Ray) and has extra features for ripping your audio CDs and finding track info on the Web. It adds sessions to multi-session discs; burns on-the-fly and verifies burns; erases rewritable media; creates audio discs and video DVDs; command line version; LightScribe cover printing support with very basic designer supporting custom background images; enables access to drives for restricted users; multilingual; some advanced features and options. I like CDBurnerXP's clean user interface. The four-paned interface makes it easy to find what you are looking for. You can then drop-and-drag files to your chosen media. Also, the audio player, which is included, helps you ensure you have captured the tracks you want. You may find the dropbox window handy as it allows you to browse your files using Windows Explorer and then quickly drop-and-drag files to your burn list as you go. Judging from other user reviews, some people had trouble with CDBurnerXP when burning data DVDs although I did find I was able to use this function without too many hassles. Once again, CDBurnerXP supports common types of optical discs like CD, DVD, and Blue-Ray including double layer mediums. You will find creating Audio CDs, Video Discs, DVD or Blue-Ray, very easy. I found dealing with re-writable media is also very comfortable with this program. ISO files can be created and burned as well with support of converting BIN/NRG file formats into ISO. CDBurnerXP is multilingual and natively supports 32 and 64 bits version of Windows 7. Editor's Advisory Note: CDBurnerXP is now bundled with OpenCandy. See this article for more information.
InfraRecorder is a respectable burning program, but it has a few disadvantages as well. It does not support Blu-Ray discs or HD-DVDs. It also does not include many advanced options for tweaking the burn process to perfection like ImgBurn. Its interface isn’t as nice as that of BurnAware Free, and it doesn’t have any extra features like CDBurnerXP. Aside from these possible downsides, it feels like a solid program that definitely deserves a chance at becoming a part of your favored software collection.
Anybody who is struggling with the ever increasing complexity of CD and DVD burning applications then Ashampoo 9.24 may be the answer you are looking for. If you want a program that focuses on burning discs quickly and easily with quality and a minimum fuss then this could be the program may well suit your needs. This version retains all the advantages of previous versions as well as adding multi-disc file backups and restores on CD, DVD and Blu-Ray. The program creates compressed backup archives with powerful password protection as well as splitting archives automatically across multiple CDs, DVDs or Blu-ray discs. I loved the fact it restored the archive contents to their original locations Ashampoo Burning Studio 9.24 FREE also features, an integrated audio CD ripper which stores your audio tracks as WMA or WAV files with an option across all formats to set the number of copies you want to burn. All discs can now be verified without ejecting first. What's new:
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Related Products and Links
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Although no official portable version exists, Googling "ImgBurn portable" returns several results showing how to run it from a flash drive.
Caution: Now bundled with OpenCandy - see note above. An OpenCandy free version is available by clicking the "More download options" link on the downloads page.
Microsoft .NET Framework and Microsoft Windows Media Format 9.0 Update are required
Requires registration within 10 days
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Editor
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This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Remah. Registered members can contact the editor with any comments or questions they might have by clicking here. |
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Tags
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burn cd, burn dvd, best free burning tool, top free burning tool, free burning software for cd, dvd, blu-ray |
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Comments
Thanks Anupam, I'll try this.
I downloaded ImgBurn and found it too complicated so tried CDBurnerXP. This was straight forward, but I could not see how to separate video clips so that I can play each one on command (rather than on a continuous loop as happens with Windows Burner). Can you recommend a burner where I can load separate video clips (they are very short), and have a menu for playing each clip separately and on command. Thanks.
What you are looking for is an authoring software. You will find them here:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/best-free-dvd-authoring-software...
Installed imgburn using download mirror from the authors site, then soon had snap.do hijack my chrome home page. I don't know for sure if imgburn was the reason but feels suspicious. New install of Win7 x64 with McAfee Enterprise 8.8, Zemana anti-logger, anti-malware bytes, and AnVir task Mgr free. I could not get AnVir task mgr window to open (even though windows task mgr showed it as a running process), so I uninstalled, re-downloaded and then re-installed it, during re-installation it gave the two message warnings of new startup items videosaver and snap.do. I opened the browser to look-up their names and found it redirected to snap.do. Maybe the AnVir download was corrupted with malware. I don't know for sure. I am reverting to a backup image from this morning before installing imgburn...
I have a problem using CDBurnerXP. I have the Beatles Stereo box set of CDs that I was wanting to copy to blank CDs. I have never seen this before but the CDs in the set have no *.cda files on it. I know these files have no musical data and only point to the music data. When I select the "audio disc" option on CDBurnerXP, it reads the CD but says it is empty. It appears that CDBurnerXP needs the *.cda files in order to produce a copy. I have ripped the Beatles CDs with iTunes without any problem. Does anyone know of a CD burner that will work with CDs that don't have the *.cda files? I'd prefer a program that copies the audio CD and burns it to a blank CD in one step rather than have to save audio files to my C drive first.
Thanks,
George
CDs may have some kind of copy protection. Try holding SHIFT key while loading CD.
I don't think the CDs are copy protected because iTunes wouldn't have ripped them if they were copy protected. The CDs simply don't have cda files which I don't think a CD player actually needs to play the disc. I suppose the act of not including the cda files may have been intended as a kind of copy protection.
If you just want to copy the disc onto a blank disc, then just make an image of the audio disc, and that burn that image on a blank disc. No need of ripping the audio files, and then burning them back again.
What software do I use to make an image of the disc and burn it?
CDBurnerXP itself will do it :). I don't use it nowadays, so I won't be able to point it out, but I am sure you will find it in the program if you look for it. If not, please post again, and I will install the program and point to you how to get to that.
Thank you for your help. I decided to install ImgBurn that receives numerous good reviews on the internet. It worked quite well. It created *.bin and *.cue files on my hard disc from which I was able to burn CDs that play well. I followed directions on this web page which are quite simple.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/computers/585878-copy-backup-music-cdrom-...
In addition to the directions, I decided to use the "Verify" option to verify the *.bin and *.cue files to the CD. I don't know how important it is to do that. If anyone else decides to try ImgBurn, be aware that you need to uncheck the option to install the Ask toolbar during the installation process.
George
Good to know you were able to successfully copy the disc using ImgBurn. Actually, any of the free burners will be able to do that job, of making an image, and then burning it on a disc, since it can be found on them all. Since you had CDBurnerXP, that's why I had told that it will do the job well. Anyways, ImgBurn is also a great program, and it's good that it was able to do the job for you. I personally use BurnAware Free, and I find it very easy to use with a simple and pleasant interface. It too has the feature to make an image and burn it.
Regarding the image, there are different image formats, and .bin is one of them, which is accompanied by .cue often. Other format is .ISO, which I like to use, and it involves only a single file creation, and is the most commonly used image format. Others are also there. I save my images in .ISO format using BurnAware. Of course, there are several ways of doing the same thing, like you did.
re: cdburnerXP, with the newer updates I encountered a problem with cataloging discs with cathy.exe.
It seems like the discs all get the same serial number which causes Cathy to believe all discs are the same.
I have advised the author about this. version 4.3xx and older do not have this problem.
Hi,
Thanks for your reviews. I'm wanting to create a backup of an instructional DVD (3.89GB) onto a blank DVD. Will the products you've reviewed here allow me to do that, or will I need a DVD Authoring application for that? Perhaps the MS Windows disk copy routine will work?
Thank you,
If you want to just make an exact copy of the disc, you do not need to do anything special. Just make an image of the disc, and then burn the image to the blank DVD. As simple as that.
Will give an example with BurnAware free, which is what I use. To make the image, click on "Make ISO" in the "Disc Images" block. Save that image on your system. Then, to burn that image on to the blank DVD, click on "Burn Image".
It will be similar for any other burning application.
BurnAware updated to version 6.0
I was excited for a moment to see the clean certificate award given to BurnAware at Softpedia, only to find it was a mistake...:v
Ashampoo Burning Studio 2012 - Version 10.0.15
Can be found on Softpedia. It says it is "ad-supported",
but it is FREE, and as to any ads, well, I have been using it now for a while, and have counted maybe 3 or 4 popups. So, I think that is quite tolerable for a very good burning program.
One important reason I like it is it will alow you to create auto-run CD/DVDs, and will let you create a rudimentary, but quite functional menu system.
Just thought I would add this to the list.
I have tried several of these and maybe I did something wrong, or the ones I tried are not made for my requierments.
I want to burn a movie I have on my computer, usually avi, and then be able to play the finished DVD on a DVD player to watch it on TV. There is Pal and and another format....
I have several burnt CDs, none of which can be played on the DVD player.
Which program is suited for this purpose?
Thank you
You will need DVD Authoring software for this purpose. Covered in another review :
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/best-free-dvd-authoring-software...
Thanks man. Great help you have done. Good job. Keep helping..
Just installed BurnAware. . .first thing it did was change all my browser settings. It's now gone
@toddgrim, Anupam and MidnightCowboy have provided very useful comments below. I add that we would appreciate more specific information about any problems. As it stands the comment is not helpful.
In this case, a lot more information could have been useful. For example, you might have said "I downloaded Burnaware from the link you provided and installed version 1.2.3 on Windows 7 SP1. Burnaware changed the homepage in my default browser, Firefox 16, when I chose the default installation."
Here's the sort of info that helps to identify and maybe resolve problems:
1. The web link to the version of BurnAware that you installed.
2. The file name and program version of that download. You can check the properties of the download file to get that information.
3. The installation options you choose e.g. default install or custom settings
4. The operating system it runs on e.g. Windows 7
5. The browser and version e.g. Firefox 3.6?
6. The settings that were changed e.g. set home page to Burnaware?
A warning about the bundled components is included in the review. It is vital to first read the EULA and then, as indicated by Anupam, take great care during the install process in order to avoid these unwanted extras. This same routine should be applied to any software you might want to install. Also, having the free version of WinPatrol on your system will provide an opportunity to block these changes even if you miss them during the install process. Another option is to make use of free programs such as ToolWiz Time Freeze or Returnil System Safe Free which you can use to return your system to a previous state. MC - Site Manager.
http://www.winpatrol.com/
http://www.toolwiz.com/products/toolwiz-time-freeze/
http://www.returnilvirtualsystem.com/products#compare
I have been using BurnAware for years now. I installed and updated to the latest version recently. Had no such problem, and never had before too. It always gives an option to opt-out of the extra stuff. If you missed that, means you were not careful enough during the install.
yeah, anupam, same here. have been using burnaware free for years also. never a coaster. i am 69 and enjoying burning and have burned hundreds with never a problem with burnaware. it never put in any extras and was an easy as pie install. sometimes on free programs you have to expect some extras so you have to look just a little bit for them. its not hard, its just the way free stuff works. if people would learn to play the game..hahah
True that :)..and glad you are enjoying the freeware too :).
I don't know if you can help me, but I'm looking for a video editor and a DVD creator program, I've used Ashampoo's version, and WinX DVD Author, but neither of them really have the video editing features. My 4 yr old grandson is autistic and while he likes very specific toddler shows, he HATES credits and will at very least get upset, at worst have a full melt down if we don't stop in time.
I had at one point a video editor that allowed me to cut out the credits of individual episodes and combine all the remaining clips into one long "movie". (a laptop and a few re-formats ago)
The only feature I really need from the DVD creator is one that allows for the option of restarting from the beginning when it hits the end.
[Commercial program] version does this, but the free version has a "but the paid version to get rid of this" screen which my grandson totally lost his little mind over...
Thank you.
It's difficult to get video editing capabilities on a dvd creator software. It would be better to go for a video editor to edit the videos, and then use a dvd creator software to create a dvd out of those videos.
You can find free video editors here :
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-video-editor.htm
and free dvd authoring software here :
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/best-free-dvd-authoring-software...
For burning video files onto DVD then I would go with Image Burn and Burn Aware........I can't speak for audio files & CDs as I rarely burn them.
Both Image Burn & Burn Aware have produced good results for me......but I generally choose Image Burn as my "Go to" burner.
I have used Image Burn for a numbers of years now, I did also use Burn Aware for a while to see what the differences were......what I found was that Burn Aware has a much simpler interface but produced pretty much the same quality burns as Image Burn.
I started using Burn Aware for several months and introduced it to my sister (who is not PC savy!) who found Burn Aware much easier to use than Image Burn.
It was only when after several months my Burn Aware program wouldn't load up (probably due to a corrupted file or software clash of some kind).......I then reverted back to using Image Burn.
To be completely comfortable with using Image Burn I feel the user needs to understand a little about video files & folders (VTS) and the differences between a building a Video TS folder and making and writing a ISO file.
If you understand what Video TS folders & ISO files are then you will be well suited to Image Burn........but for others who aren't quite as technically minded or who simply don't want to know the technical "ins & outs" of video files & folders then Burn Aware is certainly the program I would recommend.