I've finally started burning most of my CDs via Nero on PC

Rob Babcock · « **on:** 20 May 2003, 08:32 pm »

I will admit, I've been pretty slow to get with the 21st century regarding CD-R burning, but I just added a 40 gig HD to my 2 1/2 yr old computer and got Nero Express- now I see what all the fuss is about!

I love Nero: the Wave Editor function is awesome, allowing you to edit songs, perform fades, plus a lot of other stuff that I haven't explored yet. The digital volume matching is also fantastic, and does an amazing job at making your compilations sound like they all came from the same album.

I remember not long ago a thread here where I complained that the burning software was complicated and too cumbersome for me to use; I can definately say that Nero 5 has changed that. I've officially done a 180 here!

The only downside- I just bought Denons top dubbing CD deck about a month ago! Guess that's gonna gather dust now!

CELT · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 May 2003, 11:00 pm »

Thanks for the head up on Nero. A friend of mine has it and like it as well. My three year old Adaptec software is flaky and I would like something better. I have a "pro" Marantz stand alone that I also use, but am thinking about selling it. Heck Rob, sell yours too!

Tyson · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 May 2003, 11:22 pm »

Get the new Yamaha burner (that has the "audiomaster" mode), Nero, and some black CD's - your ears will thank you

CELT · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 May 2003, 03:10 am »

I downloaded Nero 5 this evening. I have been using the black TDK's for a little over a year now. They are all I'll use.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 May 2003, 05:12 am »

In my neck of the woods the only black discs I can get are Memorex. While I haven't had any prob with the several hundred I've used, I know Tyson has had terrrible luck with them. Suppose I could probably buy em online somewhere.

So, do you guys believe the black ones sound different/better than silver ones? I haven't had the chance to try it myself yet.

I'm using a TDK VeloCD right now, and I'm pretty happy with it. I have a KHypermedia unit sitting in the drawer awaiting install; my brother has one and it'll read damaged discs that befuddle my TDK. Is the Yammy better yet?

On a related note, how much difference have you noticed in discs burned at different speeds? I burn at 8X, mostly because discs burned at higher speeds won't reliably play in my aging Phillips player. I suppose it's audio nervosa, but I'm leery of going faster as I've heard the discs don't sound as good. I'll probably give it a try someday, but I'll probably need to buy a new CD player first.

Since I installed a bigger HD, I mostly leave tracks on my computer now instead of needing to erase them after each disc.

bubba966 · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 May 2003, 05:30 am »

Quote from: Rob Babcock

On a related note, how much difference have you noticed in discs burned at different speeds? I burn at 8X, mostly because discs burned at higher speeds won't reliably play in my aging Phillips player. I suppose it's audio nervosa, but I'm leery of going faster as I've heard the discs don't sound as good.

I don't have as much experience with doing Redbook copies as I do with copying other discs so I don't know how much of my experience applies.

But when I used to burn PSX discs back in the day (many years ago...) I used to have problems with the FMV cut scenes if I burned them any faster than 1x. Playstations are very sensitive to disc type & burn speed. So if it holds true on a PSX, it probably holds true with everything else as well. Maybe just to a different extent.

I personally never much cared for Nero. I like using CDRWin & Adaptec for most everything.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 May 2003, 05:38 am »

Nero used to be second banana to Roxio, but according to pretty much every PC mag & Tech TV show I've seen, with Nero 5 the roles are reversed. N5 definately kicks serious ass, and is incredibly easy to use.

Hmmm...haven't tried burning a PS game yet. I do have a couple I'd like to 'backup'.

CELT · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 May 2003, 01:35 pm »

Wal-Mart (yecch) carries the TDK black data discs. They defianetly have an edge over the regular discs. I don't know if it's reflectivity, or a lack of laser scatter. I just know they make "better" copies. The dark dye is also less prone to deteriorate the burn from UV exposure. I always burn as SLOW as possible. The slower speed means a deeper burn. If I do a high speed burn on the computer, you can barely see it. If I slow it down to 2x, then the burn is very noticeable. The Marantz, of course, burns at real time, so it provides the deepest (darkest) burn. I think this makes a huge difference. The CDP wil thenl have less problems reading it.