CD Buring Apps

[Trimoor]

Can anyone recomment a good general purpose CD/DVD burning program?  I used to have Nero 5.(somethingorother), and it was good, but it's outdated.  Nero 6 sucks IMO because it is so bloated with easy wizzard crap.  Plus it won't burn DVDs without crashing.

I use Alcohol 120% for strange formats and ISO burning, but what should I use for general composition?  Roxio is even worse than nero 6 in terms of babyish wizzards, and it won't burn DVDs half the time either.

I am looking for a good solid program that supports all CD/DVD burning features.
Suggestions?

[pointdablame]

My overall favorite is Nero 6.6   You don't need to use any of that start smart or wizard crap.... it's a great prog IMHO.  It integrates a lot of stuff I need too like DVD creation/encoding/etc.

If you don't like that though, I've had good luck with RecordNow Max as well.  It's a solid program and can extract the tracks on a disc quicker than most programs I have used.

One note... the fact that your Nero isn't burning DVDs is definitely a problem on your end.  Not saying that you have to try it again, but don't rule out Nero cuz it "can't" burn DVD... it can and does it very well assuming you set it up correctly.

[Goz]

Nero Ultra or Alcohol 120% are my preferences in Windows.

-Goz

[Trimoor]

Nero starts burning fine, but when it gets to the very end of a DVD, it gives me an error, ruining the disc.
It used to be fairly infrequent, but then started wrecking them every time.  I'm using a brand new plextor 708a that works fine with alcohol and any other program.

Nero 5 worked fine.
Maybe it's because I'm using nero 6.0 instead of 6.6?

[kronik]

Nero starts burning fine, but when it gets to the very end of a DVD, it gives me an error, ruining the disc.
It used to be fairly infrequent, but then started wrecking them every time.  I'm using a brand new plextor 708a that works fine with alcohol and any other program.

Nero 5 worked fine.
Maybe it's because I'm using nero 6.0 instead of 6.6?

What's the error?

[lucindrea]

also keep in mind their are a ton of things that can majorly screw up dvd buringin/reading .. just a for instance that damn interact that ALLWAYS tries to install on a good deal of dvd movies will totaly screw up any dvd reading you may do if you have powerdvd or windvd installed ... their are also other programs that try to "help" you by updating a 100% working aspi driver with a new and "inproved" version that never works correctly.

[DrewKaree]

Ya, MAKE SURE you do the update from 6.0.  That version had more than a few bugs, and the one you speak of re: DVD's was a fairly common one.  As a matter of fact, 6.0 is what probably cost Nero a large part of market share, due to Roxio putting the smackdown on 'em when comparing current versions (at that time) to each other.  Now, it's back to business as usual with the new version of Roxio lagging behind as always.....they rushed 6.0 to get something out at the same time, that's all. 

Also, you can access the old familiar front end of Nero by simply clicking the "Nero" button on the bottom of the wizard, or going through the start/programs menu to get back to the sweet chocolatey goodness you previously enjoyed.

Alcohol, Nero, & EZ CD are pretty much the shiznit out of the bunch.  If you really want, I believe you can use MusicMatch to burn if you've got it already....dunno about WinAmp

[shmokes]

Nero 6.6 is supurb as is Roxio Easy Media 7.  Nero 6.6 ought to be called Nero 7.  It's vastly improved over version 6.  But both are outstanding.  I would say that Roxio has a nicer frontend, while Nero still caters to the enthusiast a bit more.

[Trimoor]

I upgraded to 6.6, but it still gives me the same problem with DVDs.

It says "burn process failed at 4x"
I don't have any DVD players installed, so the drivers should be fine.  It says it's using the nero aspi driver.
I was trying to burn a DVD video from a vob/ifo set I created. (unencrypted)

Here is my log:

Windows XP 5.1
IA32
WinAspi: File 'Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=4.71 (0002), size=45056 bytes, created 7/17/2002 9:03:20 AM
ahead WinASPI: File 'C:\Program Files\Nero6\Nero\Wnaspi32.dll': Ver=2.0.1.74, size=164112 bytes, created 10/26/2004 4:21:30 PM
Nero Version: 6.6.0.6
Recorder:             <PLEXTOR DVDR   PX-708A>  Version: 1.08 - HA 1 TA 3 - 6.6.0.6
 Adapter driver:      <nvatabus>                HA 1
 Drive buffer  :      2048kB
 Bus Type      :      default (0) -> ATAPI, detected: ?
CD-ROM:               <CREATIVE  CD5233E        >Version: 2.05 - HA 1 TA 2 - 6.6.0.6
 Adapter driver:      <nvatabus>                HA 1

=== Scsi-Device-Map ===
DiskPeripheral       : ST3120022A              3.06   iteraid Port 0 ID 0  DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral       : WDC WD800LB-00DMA1      17.0   iteraid Port 0 ID 1  DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral       : ST3120022A                    nvatabus Port 1 ID 0  DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral       : ST3160023A                    nvatabus Port 1 ID 1  DMA: Off
CdRomPeripheral      : CREATIVE  CD5233E             nvatabus Port 1 ID 2  DMA: Off
CdRomPeripheral      : PLEXTOR DVDR   PX-708A        nvatabus Port 1 ID 3  DMA: Off
DiskPeripheral       : HDS722525VLSA80         V36O    SI3112 Port 2 ID 0  DMA: Off
CdRomPeripheral      : AXV     CD/DVD-ROM      2.0B    axsaki Port 3 ID 0  DMA: Off

=== CDRom-Device-Map ===
CREATIVE CD5233E           X:   CDRom0
PLEXTOR DVDR   PX-708A     G:   CDRom1
AXV CD/DVD-ROM             L:   CDRom2
=======================

AutoRun : 1
Excluded drive IDs:
WriteBufferSize: 83886080 (83886080) Byte
ShowDrvBufStat : 0
BUFE           : 0
Physical memory     : 1023MB (1048048kB)
Free physical memory: 597MB (612108kB)
Memory in use       : 41 %
Uncached PFiles: 0x0
Use Inquiry    : 1
Global Bus Type: default (0)
Check supported media : Disabled (0)

20.1.2005
UDF/ISO compilation
5:52:36 AM   #1 Phase 112 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
   DVD-Video files reallocation started
   
5:52:36 AM   #2 Text 0 File DVDVideoCompilation.cpp, Line 549
   Content of VIDEO_TS.IFO has been modified
   
5:52:36 AM   #3 Text 0 File DVDVideoCompilation.cpp, Line 549
   Content of VIDEO_TS.BUP has been modified
   
5:52:36 AM   #4 Text 0 File DVDVideoCompilation.cpp, Line 549
   Content of VTS_01_0.IFO has been modified
   
5:52:36 AM   #5 Text 0 File DVDVideoCompilation.cpp, Line 549
   Content of VTS_01_0.BUP has been modified
   
5:52:36 AM   #6 Text 0 File DVDVideoCompilation.cpp, Line 549
   Content of VTS_02_0.IFO has been modified
   
5:52:36 AM   #7 Text 0 File DVDVideoCompilation.cpp, Line 549
   Content of VTS_02_0.BUP has been modified
   
5:52:36 AM   #8 Phase 113 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
   DVD-Video files reallocation completed
   
5:52:36 AM   #9 Text 0 File Isodoc.cpp, Line 6168
   Iso document burn settings
   ------------------------------------------
   Determine maximum speed : FALSE
   Simulate                : FALSE
   Write                   : TRUE
   Finalize CD             : TRUE
   Multisession            : FALSE
   Burning mode            : DAO
   Mode                    : 1
   ISO Level               : 1 (Max. of 11 = 8 + 3 char)
   Character set           : ISO 9660
   Joliet                  :FALSE
   Allow pathdepth more than 8 directories : FALSE
   Allow more than 255 characters in path  : FALSE
   Write ISO9660 ;1 file extensions        : TRUE
   
5:52:36 AM   #10 Phase 111 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
   DVD-Video files sorted
   
5:52:36 AM   #11 Text 0 File Reader.cpp, Line 127
   Reader running
   
5:52:36 AM   #12 Text 0 File Writer.cpp, Line 122
   Writer PLEXTOR  DVDR   PX-708A   running
   
5:52:36 AM   #13 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3286
   First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)
   
5:52:36 AM   #14 ISO9660GEN -11 File geniso.cpp, Line 3286
   First writeable address = 0 (0x00000000)
   
5:52:36 AM   #15 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 3155
   Turn on Disc-at-once, using DVD media
   
5:52:36 AM   #16 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 257
   Last possible write address on media:  2295103 (510:01.28, 4482MB)
   Last address to be written:            2105551 (467:54.01, 4112MB)
   
5:52:36 AM   #17 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 269
   Write in overburning mode: NO
   
5:52:36 AM   #18 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 2311
   Recorder: PLEXTOR DVDR   PX-708A, Media type: DVD+RW
    Disc Manufacturer ID: MKM, Media Type ID: A02, Product revision number: 0
    Disc Application Code: 0, Extended Information Indicators: 1
   
5:52:36 AM   #19 Text 0 File DlgWaitCD.cpp, Line 431
   >>> Protocol of DlgWaitCD activities: <<<
   =========================================
   
5:52:36 AM   #20 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 829
   Setup items (after recorder preparation)
    0: TRM_DATA_MODE1 ()
       2 indices, index0 (150) not provided
       original disc pos #0 + 2105552 (2105552) = #2105552/467:54.2
       relocatable, disc pos for caching/writing not required/ required, no patch infos
       -> TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048, config 0, wanted index0 0 blocks, length 2105552 blocks [PLEXTOR  DVDR   PX-708A]
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   
5:52:36 AM   #21 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 1042
   Prepare recorder [PLEXTOR  DVDR   PX-708A] for write in CUE-sheet-DAO
   DAO infos:
   ==========
    MCN: ""
    TOCType: 0x00; Session Closed, disc fixated
    Tracks 1 to 1:
      1: TRM_DATA_MODE1, 2048/0x00, FilePos             0             0    4312170496, ISRC ""
   DAO layout:
   ===========
    __Start_|____Track_|_Idx_|_CtrlAdr_|_RecDep__________
          0 |  lead-in |   0 |    0x41 | 0x00
          0 |        1 |   0 |    0x41 | 0x00
          0 |        1 |   1 |    0x41 | 0x00
    2105552 | lead-out |   1 |    0x41 | 0x00
   
5:52:36 AM   #22 Phase 24 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
   Caching of files started
   
5:52:36 AM   #23 Text 0 File Burncd.cpp, Line 4042
   Cache writing successful.
   
5:52:36 AM   #24 Phase 25 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
   Caching of files completed
   
5:52:36 AM   #25 Phase 36 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
   Burn process started at 4x (5,540 KB/s)
   
5:52:36 AM   #26 Text 0 File ThreadedTransferInterface.cpp, Line 2604
   Verifying disc position of item 0 (relocatable, disc pos, no patch infos, orig at #0): write at #0
   
5:52:36 AM   #27 Text 0 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 8332
   ---- DVD Structure: Physical Format Information (00h) ----
   Layer: 0, Address: 0 (0 h), AGID: 0; Length: 2050
    Book Type: DVD+RW  (9), Part Version: 2
    Disc Size: 120 mm,      Maximum Rate: <not specified> (F h)
    Number of Layers: 1,    Track Path: Parallel Track Path (PTP),  Layer Type: re-writable
    Linear Density:         0,267 um/bit,  Track Density:  0,74 um/track
    Starting Physical Sector Number of Data Area: 30000 h (DVD-ROM, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW)
    End Physical Sector Number of Data Area:      9800F h
    End Sector Number in Layer 0:                 0 h
    Data in Burst Cutting Area (BCA) does not exist
     Disc Application Code: 0 / 0 h
     Extended Information indicators: 1 h
     Disc Manufacturer ID: MKM.....
     Media type ID: A02
     Product revision number: 0
     Number of Physical format information bytes in use in ADIP up to byte 63: 57
    Media Specific [16..63]:
         00 00 01 4D 4B 4D 00 00 - 00 00 00 41 30 32 00 39    ...MKM.....A02.9
         23 00 94 79 64 02 20 00 - 9C 7A 6C 02 20 00 9A 7B    #..yd....zl....{
         68 02 20 12 12 10 E0 00 - F0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00    h...............
   
5:52:36 AM   #28 Text 0 File DVDPlusRW.cpp, Line 615
   Start write address at LBA 0
   DVD high compatibility mode: Yes
   
5:57:09 AM   #29 SCSI -1135 File Cdrdrv.cpp, Line 1432
   SCSI Exec, HA 1, TA 3, LUN 0, buffer 0x03E80000
   Status:     0x04 (0x01, SCSI_ERR)
   HA-Status   0x00 (0x00, OK)
   TA-Status   0x02 (0x01, SCSI_TASTATUS_CHKCOND)
   Sense Key:  0x03 (KEY_MEDIUM_ERROR)
   Sense Code: 0x0C
   Sense Qual: 0x00
   CDB Data:   0x2A 0x00 0x00 0x0B 0x38 0x40 0x00 0x00 0x20 0x00 0x00 0x00
   Sense Data: 0xF0 0x00 0x03 0x00 0x0E 0x38 0x40 0x0A
               0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x0C 0x00
   
5:57:09 AM   #30 CDR -1135 File Writer.cpp, Line 311
   Write error
   
5:57:09 AM   #31 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 228
   all writers idle, stopping conversion
   
5:57:09 AM   #32 Text 0 File ThreadedTransfer.cpp, Line 222
   conversion idle, stopping reader
   
5:57:09 AM   #33 Text 0 File DVDPlusRW.cpp, Line 833
   Media-Format will be stopped after burning
   
5:57:09 AM   #34 Phase 127 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
   Generating DVD high compatibility borders
   
5:57:22 AM   #35 Phase 38 File dlgbrnst.cpp, Line 1832
   Burn process failed at 4x (5,540 KB/s)
   

Existing drivers:
File 'Drivers\CDRALW2K.SYS': Ver=6.1.1.7 , size=24698 bytes, created 6/24/2003 11:18:48 PM
File 'Drivers\ASPI32.SYS': Ver=4.71 (0002) built by: WinDDK, size=16512 bytes, created 7/17/2002 8:05:10 AM
File 'Drivers\nvatabus.sys': Ver=5.10.2600.0446 built by: WinDDK, size=79360 bytes, created 6/3/2004 10:40:46 AM (Adapter driver for rec)

Registry Keys:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\AllocateCDROMs : 0 (Security Option)

[Hoagie_one]

have youtried different media?  Maybe your burner doesnt get along with your disk type

[Trimoor]

It does the same thing with every type of DVD I put in it.

[pointdablame]

well one thing I'll suggest is Simulating. You won't waste discs that way.

Also what discs have you tried?  I'm leaning toward it NOT being a media problem, but I know I've had discs that Nero wouldn't burn correctly, yet other progs would.  Then the discs just wouldn't work on my players.

Check online to see if there are any known problems with Nero and your burner... perhaps you need a firmware update.  This is a stretch too though as Plextor is a huge name in burners, I'm sure Nero tries to stay compatible with them.

[JoyMonkey]

My DVD burner (Pioneer 105) used to burn almost every DVD-R that I threw at it at 4X, but lately it's getting a little picky and will only burn Ritek and Princo discs at 4X, everything else burns fine at 2X. I have no idea why. The drive is about two years old now, maybe it's time I  upgraded.

Is this a regular occurrence with drives? I thought it's life expectancy would be a little longer.

[Mameotron]

You might want to check out the tips here:

http://www.mrbass.org/dvdnewbie/

I followed these steps when I started burning and I've never made a "coaster".

[Trimoor]

I've tried "platinum series"  +R, "value disc" +RW, "fujufilm" +R/W, and "HP" +R/W.
They all have the same problems.
Nero refuses to simulate recording.  It says "simulation not supported for this disc type" and claims it was aborted by the user.  It does this for every media type.
I already follow the tips on that site.
I have the latest plextor firmware.  The reason I bought a plextor was nero kept burning coasters on my HP drive.

I should probably post this in a nero forum...

[lucindrea]

try dvd-r , their the standalone standard anyway ( never understood the point of +r myself ) , could just be the way the burner handles the + stuff thats cauzing the problem , if not then at least you know you elimated one possablity

[SOAPboy]

Nero starts burning fine, but when it gets to the very end of a DVD, it gives me an error, ruining the disc.
It used to be fairly infrequent, but then started wrecking them every time.

[krick]

Try running "forceASPI".  Only use version 1.7.  Version 1.8 is buggy.  It fixes lots of common problems with the ASPI layer...

http://radified.com/ASPI/forceaspi.htm

[crashwg]

Nero 6.6 ought to be called Nero 7.  It's vastly improved over version 6.  But both are outstanding.

I'm glad it's not though because it was free to upgrade from 6.3 something or other and probably wouldn't be to go to 7... 

[shmokes]

Well...like I say, Roxio 7 is a fantastic program.  Try that one.  I'm wondering about the health of your Burner, though.  Maybe you've got a hardware or firmware problem.  Try upgrading th firmware of your drive.

[krick]

Well...like I say, Roxio 7 is a fantastic program.

Roxio is now owned by Sonic.  Sonic sucks ass.

[Trimoor]

I have the latest firmware.  The problem extended through several updates and even my previous burner.
In my experience, Roxio sucks for advanced users.  I don't wan't the program trying to hold my hand through making a compilation.

I'll try reinstalling nero.  Or maybe complain to nero and ask them for help.

Thanks guys.

[lucindrea]

latest version is only 5 days old

from ahead's download section

Current version:    6.6.0.6    
Release date:    January 17th, 2005    
Filesize:     28,91 MB (30.318.311 bytes)
MD5 checksum:    c2bf6064994ffdddd3bc95ca3786f60f


they make no mention of what 6.6.06 fixes but

Version Number: 6.6.0.5

Release Date: 01-10-2005
Bug Fixes

    * Fixed a DVD 'On the Fly' copy problem
    * Booktype settings explanation is added in the GUI
    * Fixed a problem with copying a DVD video over image
    * Re-encoding of MPEG-1 files to (S)-VCD is improved
    * Fixed failure to fully erase DVD-RAM
    * Burning some ASF files caused "Unknown error in the Video MPEG encoder"
    * Switching to NeroExpress did not close the preview
    * The save track operation (save as image) did not warn if there was not enough hard disc drive space and no image file was created
    * Changing the volume creation date caused an error
    * If an audio CD is created and the source file names are long, the print function can now print all pages

 
Version Number: 6.6.0.3

Release Date: 11-29-2004
Bug Fixes

    * Changed disc-info dialog to display formatted area and total capacity for a DVD+RW media
    * Implemented an error message if a file is missing to be written for a compilation
    * The Windows XP application auto launch feature was not working for DVD-Video on a German Windows XP SP2 System
    * Added again the file support for using ASF/WMV/DV/MOV/TIFF file types for a (S)VCD compilation
    * When adding MP4 files to a video compilation, there was no preview displayed anymore for such file types
    * In some cases, the application did fail in writing to an attached USB recorder
    * If the pause before the first track is not exact 2s (150 frames) then Nero failed in copying such audio discs
    * It was not possible anymore of adding mp3-files to an Audio-CD Compilation
    * Some correct serial numbers were detected as an invalid serial number
    * Drop down menu to select the recorder was cut off when using large font settings for the Operating System
    * A error message was appearing multiple times if syntax was incorrect for the compilation date option
    * Writing a CUE/BIN image was not possible if the image file name did contain spaces
    * The calculated time for the burning process was not accurate
    * Nero did reject renaming a ISO file name to a file name including a dot
    * The application did terminate when switching the video preview back from fullscreen
    * Improved the performance for analyzing and adding a MPEG file to a SVCD compilation
    * In some cases an "internal error" appeared after adding a video file to a SVCD compilation

[SOAPboy]

I have the latest firmware.

[krick]

Make sure you have DMA turned on for your drives.

What operating system are you running?

[IG-88]

I use DVD shrink 3.2 and Nero 6 ultra, with a Lite-On DVD ROM and a Lite-On DVD burner. This set-up is flawless IMHO. I'm basically an amateur and I can burn ANY DVD regardless of any encryption or region or whatever. With or without menus and extras. EXACT copies. But only of the movies I own of course. It would be illegal to copy rented ones.... They also play in all my DVD players. (Pioneer, Sony & Apex)

It's freeware and if I remember right you can use any DVD burning software even Nero's demo version. More about it here:

http://www.dvdshrink.org/what.html

Takes about 2hrs per disc, but what the heck, set it and forget it. And, I haven't made a coaster yet. If anyone wants some help with it let me know.