| Understand CD/DVD burners |
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Specs that matter |
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Select the right format |
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Which discs to buy |
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What you can do with your burner |
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The software you need |
Bundled software, however, is often a "lite" version of a larger application, meaning that it doesn't have all the features of the full release. Still, even the lite versions include all of the tools that most users will need for burning all kinds of discs; for capturing, importing, and exporting video; and even for some basic audio and video editing. If you're looking for more robust audio, video, and photo-editing capabilities or superior backup options, you should consider upgrading to one of these full suites.
Software options: Ahead Nero | BHA B's Recorder | Iomega HotBurn | NTI CD & DVD Maker | Pinnacle Instant CD/DVD | Roxio Easy Media Creator | Roxio Toast | Sonic MyDVD
 Ahead Nero
Nero's bundled, OEM versions lack the fullness of the Ultra suite and can't create as many types of discs or handle as many formats. They're also likely to be missing key applications, such as Burning ROM and BackItUp (depending on which version you have). To upgrade from the OEM, you'll need to visit Nero online and purchase an upgrade serial number for US$49.99 (~AU$70). | |
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BHA B's Recorder Gold 7.0
Basic
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While not the most eye-catching or full-featured disc-creation tool around, B's Recorder is a good basic program that will guide users through all of the standard tasks, including creating audio, data, or video CDs and copying discs. Unlike most of the other programs in this guide, B's Recorder has no reduced-feature OEM version, so there's nothing to upgrade.
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| Iomega HotBurn Pro
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If you've purchased an Iomega burner, you have HotBurn Pro, Iomega's own disc-creation software. It's a beautifully simple program, letting newbies make music and data discs or copy CDs, although you won't find video-editing or backup tools -- Iomega often bundles other software for that. There's no lite version of HotBurn Pro, but if you have an older version, you can upgrade for US$39.95 (~AU$56) by using the software's Update button.
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NTI CD & DVD Maker 6.7 Platinum
At first glance, NTI CD & DVD Maker seems like only a basic burning app, covering the standard disc-creation functions. But dig a little deeper, and you'll find that it offers some other tasks, such as creating CD Extra discs and recording live audio. Power users will want to look to Nero or Easy Media Creator, but CD & DVD Maker is a good choice for beginners who want to start simple. The OEM version of CD & DVD Maker includes only a trial version of the MP3 encoder, and it's missing live audio recording. You can upgrade to the full version for US$29.99 (~AU$42) from the NTI Web site. | |
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Pinnacle Instant CD/DVD 8.0
In its latest version, Pinnacle has added a new, colourful front end to the suite -- making project selection easier for new users -- as well as excellent tools for movie authoring and audio and video playback. In our full review, though, we noted that the interface can be more confusing than that of other apps and that we had problems with audio playback. There are two OEM versions of Instant CD/DVD: one has everything but the unlimited MP3 encoder, while the second lacks both that and the ability to play commercial DVDs. You can upgrade the lite version for US$19 (~AU$27) on Pinnacle's Web site. | |
Roxio Easy Media Creator 7.0
Along with Nero, Roxio Easy Media is one of the giants of disc creation. Once known as Easy CD & DVD Creator, the suite changed its name as its focus broadened to include media editing and authoring. With it, you can create the standard disc types, as well as edit photos, capture and edit video, edit audio, and much more. Easy Media Creator's superfriendly interface, which clearly lays out the suite's many tools, is superior to Nero's, although it has a buggy history. For more, read our full review.
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Roxio Toast 6.0 Titanium
Most Mac users will find their disc-creation needs satisfied by Apple's own iLife suite, but those who want a broader range invariably reach for Roxio Toast. It combines an intuitive interface with a wide range of burning tools; we like it so much that our full review criticised only its documentation and support. With a clear, tabbed interface, Toast lets you select from the basic disc-creation tasks. Toast Lite can handle a narrower range of formats and disc types, and it can't burn VideoCDs or SVCDs. It also lacks the Toast It app, which lets you burn directly from the desktop, as well as apps for importing LPs and cassettes or for scheduling backups. Upgrades to the full version are usually US$69.95 (~AU$99). | |
| Sonic MyDVD Studio Deluxe
Sonic's clear, friendly interface makes it ideal for beginners, and the suite rated highly in our full review. The two main applications are MyDVD, which has limited video-editing functions but is wonderful for authoring DVDs, and RecordNow, an all-purpose disc-burning tool. Neither has the extensive range of Nero or Easy Media Creator, but Sonic MyDVD Studio Deluxe will certainly satisfy most users. OEM versions of MyDVD vary in what they offer. All of them lack the movie player, which would have required an extra licensing fee, and some have limited video-editing, burning, and backup capabilities. The fee to upgrade to the full version varies depending on which OEM you have, but it is generally 20 to 30 percent less than the full price. |
Very useful article. Thanks.
Any chance you could do an article reviewing some budget external cd burners - I need one but I have no idea which to buy. Help! Thanks.