CD / DVD Software Needed

[HulaMike]

So.....I spent $3200 on a new computer but cheaped out on the enhanced authoring software Dell offered. What they did include is junk. Have any recommendations???

[KPRussell]

Hey Mike,

Try Roxio Easy Media Creator™ 7

Good luck with your new system too!

[Andre]

Depends....

Do you want to archive images/files? Do you want to make DVD movies or slide shows?

If you want to archive files, I find Nero the best (www.nero.de).

Myself, I would avoid anything by Roxio, since their files (ASPI?) seem to always screw up my system.

For creating movies and burning them in DVD format, maybe someone more experienced can comment. I have not found anything satisfactory yet.

Andre

[HulaMike]

No Movies. I just need to burn data CDs & DVD's, copy CD's, the usual. I have Nero Burning ROM that came with a TDK CDR drive I bought for my old system. I suppose that might work for CD's but I'm not sure. I'd still need better software for burning DVDs.

[Andre]

No Movies. I just need to burn data CDs & DVD's, copy CD's, the usual. I have Nero Burning ROM that came with a TDK CDR drive I bought for my old system. I suppose that might work for CD's but I'm not sure. I'd still need better software for burning DVDs.

If you haven't updated your Nero, it can be updated to burn DVDs also. Their updates are usually free (until the next major version).

Edit: If it came with another drive, it probably won't install unless you also put the old drive into the new system.

[HulaMike]

That's what I'm afraid of. Mt current Nero version is 5.0.3.4 TDK. I'm pretty sure I don't have TDK drives on the new system.

[Andre]

Do you still have the old system? Can you move the TDK to the new one? It is handy having two drives.

If not, you can always buy the new Nero. They let you download it and try it first.

[HulaMike]

Thanks Andre. I have a dual drive with my new system already. One's a 48x CD burner the other an 8x DVD burner. No idea what make they are. Not feasible to strip out my older 16x CD burner to replace the newer faster one. Guess I'll download the new software and call it good to go!

[Swampy]

Yup, Nero 5 is the best. It burns everything. You can even do a slideshow with it, however, it sucks at that, or at least it did a year ago.

DVD tools I use are Studio Version 9 to burn DVD movies from MiniDV Tape, Nero to burn Data DVD's (Same media if you didn't know). Then I also use a NICE little program called Pictures To Exe, which will let you do picture slideshows to a self running executable or to an .SCR (Screen saver). From there, you can also create an AVI to burn to a DVD that will play on a regular TV as well.

I'll also use a free program call Audacity for mixing music together for the slideshows. You'll need to download the LAME encoder, which is also free, to re-encode the music back to a single file.

Seems complicated, but I did just the slideshow for the family from our Alaska cruise, did the slideshow in about 100 hours with music. Went through 5000+ images from many peoples digital cameras, including 2200 from my two, narrowed it down to just over 1000, slapped a bunch of music together and made a 70 minute slideshow for the PC, then burned it to DVD for TV viewing (not nearly as sharp, but for those who don't have a PC.....). The DVD took 7 hours to create on it's own doing the rendering and stuff. After that, made an image with Nero and pumped them out every 9 minutes.

A guy I met on the cruise ship asked where all my pictures were cause he knew I'd have some good ones, so I sent him a copy of the PC based slideshow and he wants to pay for it now cause it was so good (not to toot my own horn). Well then. I degressed enough now.

[HulaMike]

thanks swampy. nero's up to 6.0 Ultra now so I'll get that. Thanks for the pictures to exe tip. I remember reading about that but didn't bookmark it before www.wnsoft.com , Sounds like your Alaska dvd is killer! Put it up on the web so we can all take a look. :rolleyes:

[Wichita Wayne]

I use both with no trouble. Nero does, however, overburn so you get a little more milage out of your CDs. Both will burn to all the drives I own, including a TDK.

[robinp]

Sorry I found this thread a little late Mike, but I'll go with the general concensus that what you need is Nero :righton: and avoid anything Roxio :(

Cheers, Robin

[HulaMike]

goin to CompUSA this am guys. Thanks once again for the advice. You've all helped me build a new computer, set it up and now offer solid SW advice. You guys are a-ok in my book!


(anyone remember A-ok?)


PS: CompUSA had Nero 6 Ultra on sale for $49.95 after in store $30 discount and $20 mail in rebate (8/5/04). Don't know how long the sale lasts or if its national. Thought I'd pass this along to my US buddies. Retail is, obviously, $99.95.