[Captain Humble]

I'm not sure that all CD burning software is created equal.
Currently have Sonic Record Now that came with my new Dell computer.

Question 1:
What do you use for burning CD's and what features make it preferable?

Question 2:
What do you use to create jewel case lables?

Any experience you've had with various packages would be helpful.

Thanks,
Jeff

[asull2k]

Best ripping would be with EAC (Exact Audio Copy) or Plextools, using a Plextor Plexwriter drive, due to the exceptional error correction/low jitter performance.  Optimal speed setting depends on drive... there are some websites where they compared several drives at different speeds.  I always make sure the quality is 100% after a rip before proceeding.

For burning I just use Roxio, making sure to do it at the slowest speed, and closing extraneous programs.  I use black Memorex CD-R's, which have worked fairly well for me but are not compatible in all transports.  In all the transports that aren't super sensitive to CD-R's (i.e. some Sony's and Naim cdps are hypersensitive in a bad way), I have not heard a difference between the original and the CD-R.  Several diehard dealers have made the same remarks.

[zachslc]

I just use Nero.  IMO media quality and burning speed are the only important variables.

[beppe61]

Dear Friends,

Please try (for 30days you can do it free) DART CD-RECORDER.
Really effective indeed. For ripping and burning.
Kind regards,

beppe61

[Dokter_doug]

Nero.

[Dan Driscoll]

Nero

[SWG255]

I use Exact Audio Copy (EAC) for pulling audio files from CD (or from the cda LAYER OF HYBRID sacdS), and either EAC or Nero for burning the actual audio CDs. Most audible errors occur in the extraction process, not in the burning process, unless one burns at too high a speed. I never burn audio discs at speeds higher than 24X with my PlexWriter drives, but I've noticed that burning at extremely slow speeds (2X or 4X) doesn't guarantee a better burn. This is media dependent, and some of the new high-speed CD-Rs actually don't burn as well at very slow speeds.

There are some interesting drive and media tests to be seen at www.cdrinfo.com.

[SWG255]

I use Exact Audio Copy (EAC) for pulling audio files from CD (or from the cda LAYER OF HYBRID sacdS), and either EAC or Nero for burning the actual audio CDs. Most audible errors occur in the extraction process, not in the burning process, unless one burns at too high a speed. I never burn audio discs at speeds higher than 24X with my PlexWriter drives, but I've noticed that burning at extremely slow speeds (2X or 4X) doesn't guarantee a better burn. This is media dependent, and some of the new high-speed CD-Rs actually don't burn as well at very slow speeds.

There are some interesting drive and media tests to be seen at www.cdrinfo.com.

[Tonto Yoder]

As to labelling software, I use expressit that came with some Memorex labels and Global Star software that also came with labels.
Global Star is OK but the images and templates are juvenile & amateurish.

Someone recommended Sure Thing software.
http://www.surething.com/ST/

[SWG255]

I've been using Sure Thing for making CD labels, jewel case inserts and tray liners for years. The software makes it easy to use either one of their hundreds of backgrounds, or your own from graphics files or directly from a scanner. It can "import" artist, title and track listing information from CDDB, or from Windows Media Player, or from CD-text if the CD has it. It supports most of the better CD label stock out there, and the stock one can purchase from www.labelgear.com works very well with Epson color printers, even when using the matte finishes.

The software is well worth the asking price, I think it's only $25 or so, at least it was the last time I checked.

As to labelling software, I use expressit that came with some Memorex labels and Global Star software that also came with labels.
Global Star is OK but the images and templates are juvenile & amateurish.

Someone recommended Sure Thing software.
http://www.surething.com/ST/