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Burning of CDs & DVDs

Terms Used in Burning

OSI: The standard disk format for CDs - the ISO information is stored as an image file - the information is particularly used to create bootable discs, ie disks that will operate without the use of a particular computer file.
In cases where you copy a computer program and it appears to burn successfully, yet on completion of the burn the disk appears to be empty, it may be because the ISO file has not been burnt - see Nero for a program to burn ISO programs.
SVCD: Super Video CD - a system for improved video quality.
WAV: Uncompressed Audio files - the usual file form on music CDs.
WMA: Windows Audio Media Files - a compressed Microsoft audio file format.
MP3: A universal compressed audio file format.

Types of Burning

• Copying music to Cds or DVDs
• Backing up computer files to CDs or DVDs
• Copying data or photographs to CDs or DVD
• Copying program CDs or DVDs for security
• Copying from vinyl or tapes to CDs
• Copying from video tape to DVDs
• Converting WAV files to MP3 onto CDs

Burning Programs

• Windows Media Player - standard with Windows up to Vista, it is free with Windows 7; however it will have to be separately downloaded.
• Nero - now up to version 9 - earlier versions are often supplied free with CD or DVD burners.
• Ashampoo
• Roxio Creater - now up to version 9 - earlier versions are also supplied with CD and DVD burners
• AudioRecorder2 - a connection device and software for recording wireless, tape and vinyl to CDs - price $126

The AudioRecorder2 appears to be an easy device to setup and the instructions appear to be very clear.

AudioRecorder2 - illustration of setup

Free Burning Programs

• CDBurnerXP from www.cdburnerxp.se/
• FreeRip from www.mgshareware.com
• BurnAware from www.glorylogic.com

Windows Media Player

• 1. Open Windows Media Player - Select 'Tools' then 'Options'
• 2. In the 'Option' drop down box select 'Rip Music' tab
• 3. In the 'Format' drop down select 'Windows Media Audio' if you are copying WAV files or 'MP3' if you are compiling MP3 music. Select the 'Audio quality' - a minimum of 128 kbps for MP3 and a higher quality for use on stero equipment Click 'Apply' then 'OK'.
• 4. Insert an audio CD
• 5. The tunes on the CD will appear on the screen, either accept all the tunes or untick the tunes you do not want.
• 6. Type in the tune details or allow Windows to search the web for details.
• 7. Click on 'Rip' - the tunes will be copied to the Playlist
• 8. To burn files click on the File Menu - click on 'CDs & Devices' - select 'Burn CD'.
• 9. The Burn feature is displayed - select the files to be burnt from the Playlist or if the required tunes are not on the list click 'Edit Playlist' button and select from other file locations on your computer.
• 10.The number of files are shown at the bottom of the screen - insert a blank CD - click 'Start to Burn'.
• 11.Write speed - do not accept the default of maximum speed - burn as slow as possible and n ot less than half the rated speed of the burner.

Nero

• Nero allows a complete range of burning - the first step is to select either CD or DVD burning.
• The next step is to select either to burn a Data CD/DVD - Audio CD/DVD - Video CD/DVD - Copy CD/DVD.
• Other options are: Backup files.
• At the next screen select a burn speed - it is preferable to burn at no more than half of the maximum speed of the burning device.
• On the next screen click 'Add' and select the files to be burnt from the drop down box - the bar along the bottom will show the CD/DVD space used as files are added.
• Click 'Next' and the click 'Burn' on the next screen.

Vista

Vista has introduced a new audio format 'Live File System'; however it is not compatible with all audio equipment - to select a more compatible audio file, when you insert a blank CD, at the first screen click 'Select Formating Options' and select 'Mastered'.

Other Data Burning Options

• Right click on a file or folder - select 'Send To' - go to the appopriate CD/DVD drive.
• Windows will display a small balloon on the Task Bar, advising files are ready to burn to a CD - click on the Balloon.
• A screen will open displaying the files to be burnt - in the left hand column click on 'Burn to CD'.

OR

• Open Windows Explorer - Right click on the file or folder to be burnt to a CD/DVD and select 'Copy'.
• Locate the CD/DVD drive in the list of drives and highlight that drive - Right click on the drive and select 'Paste'.

Associated Burning Programs

Audiograbber This is a small free program available from any freeware site that copies files from a location, such as a CD and copies them onto your computer in another format, such as MP3. MP3 files are a handy way of loading over 200 tunes onto one CD - most modern car audio systems will play MP3 CDs and you will have many hours of your favourite music, without having to change a CD. Note: Audiograbber in its initial form does not provide the means to burn MP3 files at 128kbps or greater; however at the end of the installation process you are alerted to this fact and will be prompted to download a small addition program called Lame that will provide the additional requirements.

Audacity This is also an excellant free program that allows you to remove tape hiss and vinyl disk noises from copied tunes. Note that Audacity can not open Microsoft WMA files.

Copyright

Under Australian law you are able to make of copy, for your own use, of any legally owned CD or DVD.

Freeware Sites
www.techsupportalert.com
www.freeware.com
www.econsultant.com/i-want-freeware-utilities/index.html
www.tucows.com
www.freewarefiles.com
www.freewarehome.com
www.freedownloadmanager.org/downloads/free/108_s/index1.htm

Warwick Sherring 5/09

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