Recommend CD Burning software?

[jabarnutcase]

Hi friends-
I would like some opinions on what CD Burning software you swear by.
I have been using NTI CD Maker 2000 for quite a while- (Obviously, since it's "2000"):rolleyes: And it has served me well.
It's been a great program, but since I went to XP, I encounter occasional problems.
The program is pretty old now, and was never designed for XP.
Been having problems lately with copying audio CD's (No problems at all copying data)- Have tried various burn speeds, Using an image file, no image file, etc...

Anyway, I believe the problem is software related as both drives work fine for anything else..... I have the latest drivers , and no obvious problems in device manager..Both drives said to "be working properly"

Now that I've made a short story long, whether I have a hardware problem or not...(I'll figure that out), I still would like to upgrade my software....
What do you recommend???

I only occasionally burn MP3's to CD..My primary use is for back-up and copying Audio CD's.
What do you guys feel is the latest and greatest? Nero? Easy CD? Other?(for XP especially)
Thanks in advance for opinions! :)
BTW...I don't care if it's a free download- I'll buy it if it's worth it!:)

[mjc]

I like Nero.....a lot of people have complained about its interface, but I don't have any problems with it, seems to work for me.

The program itself has always worked quite well, I have yet to burn a coaster (that can really be called a coaster, I've burnt a couple of bad disks, though, my fault entirely....like putting songs with problems on...it flawlessly copied the problem songs...:D)

[hawk7771us]

i used easy cd had some problems with it maybe it was me.still learning,brought a new yamaha cdrw and it came with neros once i upgraded the drivers i had no problems with it,use it all the time now

[jabarnutcase]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.
I have had my eye on Nero 5.5.......More opinions always welcome! :D

[LadyGrey]

I have Nero 5.5 with all updates. I have had no problems at all with it. It burns whatever I ask it too and so far every CD has played on all my stereo's, home and car. Be advised tho that the program for converting to, not from but to, MP3 is an extra that you have to buy. But considering it's under $20 it's worth it. I have used the Roxio Easy CD line and don't like them as much as my Nero. LG;)

[jabarnutcase]

Thanks LG!
I'm a pretty impatient guy, so I'll probably head out today and buy it.
(Unless someone heads me off at the pass! :D )

[jabarnutcase]

Appreciate your comments folks....
After some more experimenting, turned out my CD-Rom was on it's way out after all!
Being impatient like I mentioned, I've already replaced the unit...(I'm "burning" about that):rolleyes: :D

Also, being the cheapskate I am-(According to my wife), I will stick with my old burning software until it does become a software issue.
I'm back in the business of burning. :eek:
Thanks again. ;)

[Mark Miller]

Hey nut of the north, just a simple note. The software that comes with XP is pretty good. I think but I am not sure that it is a weakened version of Roxio. Since your cheap [so you say] you will find that this works pretty well. i use it with no problems even though I have other software that came with my computer. The only problem is that it uses wma files. For mp3 you need your other software. Oh well
Mark:D

[Budfred]

My 2 cents, since you didn't get anything yet. I use Click n' Burn Pro which can be had for far less than Roxio and is not as complex to learn as Nero. I have tried all three and I like Roxio for simplicity, but I like C n' B Pro for price. I didn't take the time to figure Nero out, even though it came free with my CD burner.

Budfred

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Isn't there a Cheapskate (http://www.google.ca/search?q=download+NERO&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&meta=) version of NERO (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=U&start=2&q=http://www.nero.com/en/content/download.html&e=912) that is for cheapskate/miserly/tightwad/squeeker/justapoorboylikeme (http://personal.ansir.com/img2/scrooge.jpg) types?!? :D

If it doesn't convert to MP3's there's always the 'right priced' MusicMatch Basic (http://www.musicmatch.com/r.htm?redirect=/home/&source=portal_page) to do the conversions for us 'poh-folks' (http://www.turnerlearning.com/tntlearning/christmascarol/images/tinytim.gif).

Merry Chrismas! You #@$%^&*! (fruitcake)

[jabarnutcase]

:D
Thanks for all the suggestions guys...Actually, I have downloaded and played around with a few freebies, including Music Match.

Like I said, for now I'll stick with my good ol' NTI program. It's really kind of cool. Simple interface and does it all. Even changes the background according to the time of day :) Kinda hate to give it up...(Not that I'm glad my CD-Rom died) :(

Hey! FTT - I didn't think anyone knew where my secret hangout was. How the heck did you take that photo? :confused: :D

[Fruss Tray Ted]

http://pzzzz.tripod.com/G/shadow1.gif (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=U&start=4&q=http://pzzzz.tripod.com/shadowknows.html&e=912)

[kenja]

I started using CD Creator when Corel owned it. Adaptec bought it, then spun it off to Roxio. Anyway, after using Nero, I'll never go back to Easy CD Creator.

The only thing in Nero that was less than obvious to me is making an image on your hard drive (to be recorded later).

Recorder > Choose Recorder > Image Recorder (Virtual Device) > OK

and then to burn it: File > Burn Image... > (Path)

[Jhorner1]

jabarnutcase
Play around with musicmatch some more, I think you will like it, especially for copying music, either from a CD or MP3's from your hard drive. I am using version 7.2, and have burned as fast as 40x so far. Also with a little playing around it will burn data.

[jabarnutcase]

Thanks Jhorner1, (and others:) )
Yes, I downloaded Music Match yesterday before I discovered I had a hardware problem...I kept it and have been "playing" with it...Not bad.

My original intention was to upgrade my software even if I had a hardware problem, but after forking out some dough for the hardware, I changed my tune for a while.

As soon as I can get my wife to work some overtime...(HeHe-Just kidding:eek: ), I think I will probably go with a full version of Nero.
Besides all the thumbs up in this post, I have read some very good reviews about it.
Again, thanks all. ;)

[Mitch Hatfield]

I may be quite wrong, but I thought MM was riven with Spyware.

Whatever, it certainly crashed my system with monotonous regularity.

Resource usage was also a major issue, but with XP, that won't a problem for you

Just unlucky, I guess, but it did the trip, back to where it came from.

;) ;)

[Jhorner1]

Mitch
I have never heard anything about MusicMatch being spyware. I have it installed on 4 computers at home, 1 with 98, 2 with 98SE, and 1 with ME. Yes it is a resource hog (about 30-40 percent), but it has never crashed any of those machines (I've been using it for about 1 year on all of them ).
While typing this I downloaded and ran Adaware, and that did not identify anything related to Music Match as being spyware.

[iisbob]

I'll throw in my few cents worth here; i also use Music Match-best music player/music CD burner software i've ever found. As for it being spyware ( or having spyware included ) that's pure balderdash; however the basic version does limit you so i suggest you spend the $20 or so and get the full version; i did after i had been running it " reverse engineered " for awhile :D-i figured it was worth buying it.

As for CDR/CDRW software i run both Nero & EasyCD, i prefer EasyCD for it's excellant user interface, but i use Nero for some other more detailed imaging that EasyCD doesn't support.

I've also used NTI-and i have CloneCD, i also have Click & Burn on the same PC, in the same OS ( XP ) and don't have a problem at all using any one i choose.I even occasionally use XP's built in generic EasyCD creation capabilities.

Right now i'm in the process of transferring over to a new Sony DVD+r/+rw/-r/-rw/CDR/CDRW, etc drive ( yes folks it does every DVD format & CD format and even fixes me Orange Juice! :D ).

I'll let you know what i think about it later on.

[Mitch Hatfield]

Thanks jhorner and iisbob

Maybe I should just throw caution to the wind and give Music Match another go!!:) :)

Sorry for temporarily hi-jacking your thread, Jabar. :D

[Paul Komski]

Originally posted by jabarnutcase
The program is pretty old now, and was never designed for XP.
[/B]
From the ReadMe, recently downloaded.
NTI CD-Maker 2000 Professional for:-
Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP
Version 5.1.17
April 17th, 2002

Seems to work just as good as Veritas Prassi Primo (which came bundled with my burner),

[jabarnutcase]

Hey Paul!

Did the readme file actually say 2000? I thought the newest version just said "NTI CD-Maker" and they got rid of the "2000". In fact, when I got mine, XP wasn't even a dream yet. ( Although we know how they are about adding those "designed for XP" stickers after the fact! :)
Anyway, now that I figured out I had a hardware problem all along, the program has been working fine again.
Actually, I know someone that has the newest .."NTI CD-Maker"

Mine is an older version, and I recall now that I like it better than the new Pro version. My interface changes the background picture from morning, noon, dusk, and night as the actual time of the day changes...A silly little feature I always liked.
Unless I'm mistaken...(Which I'm often known to be :D), the newest version has a plain ugly looking red background that never changes.
Anyway, thanks for the info paul...Live and learn. (Or is it learn to live? :confused: ) :D

BTW- Jhorner1 and iisbob....I'm really kind of liking Music Match. Think I'll keep that little bugger!
I'll still probably get the latest Nero too....As soon as the wife starts that OT. :D
Man...It's 3:00 am! What the heck am I doing here??? It's pretty bad when I wake up in the middle of the night and the first thing I do is check my email, then end up at "The guide".
Night all!

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I get up in the morning and before I can leave for work, I need to cruise through this place, leave a few tread marks and then race off :D

I GOTTA GO...

http://pzzzz.tripod.com/G/firetruck.gif

[Mark Miller]

ME TOO!!!
My wife thinks I am having an affair with someone on line [not really]
Anyway good luck with the cd program.
Mark

[Paul Komski]

Sunset background! - not included.

[jabarnutcase]

Wow Paul! ....Never doubted you for a moment!:o :rolleyes:

So, I take it you are using the program? Pretty cool and simple interface I think.....Even without the sunset! :D:

(Edit) Paul...One last question. I was just looking at the pro upgrade at their website, and it does show the same interface as mine with the (sunrise) background.
The guy's I saw must have had the 'deluxe' or something.
Anyway, DOES it have the "time of day" backgrounds???
If so, I like it enough to download the upgrade.
(Sorry folks, I know you're getting sick of this thread...and my indecision! ;) )
BTW...HERE (http://www.ntius.com/products/cd-burning-software/screenshots.cfm) is the link I was looking at.

[Paul Komski]

hehe Since it's nearly always night when I'm on the pc, I haven't actually noticed. Must have a peep tomorrow and see if the sun has risen! :D Agree about the simple interface. I don't do a lot of burning but it has worked fine so far for me as has Veritas PrimoPrassi, which came bundled with the burner.