Thursday, July 20, 2006

Is 100 MB too much ? Nero 7 Premium Alternatives

Nero 7 has become quite large for a simple CD burning program and now includes many utilities many people see as useless and bloat. It has Nero Scout which is like the Windows Indexing service and especially useless if you have Media Center Edition. There are some free or cheap alternatives to Nero that take up less space too.


CDBurnerXP Pro
License: Freeware
Requires: Microsoft .NET Framework - see also helpfile
Website: CDBurnerXP Pro
Screenshot: Here
Size: 11.02 MB
Operating systems: 98/ME/2000/XP/2003 Server.
My Rating: Very Good - for a freebie, but the Microsoft .NET Framework is a big obstacle for me.

CDBurnerXP Pro is an easy to use CD/DVD burning software, that can write CD-R and CD-RW discs. The program can also write disks directly from an ISO image file, and save image as an ISO image file (*.iso). You can create data and audio CDs, and it supports Burn-Proof technology, multi-session disks, import of ISO images and more. In addition to CD burning, you can also rip audio CDs, normalize WAV files, encode MP3 files, erase disks, . CDBurnerXP Pro does not require ASPI when used under for NT/2000/XP.

The main features

Create Data-CDs/DVDs

* burn any Data on CD-R/CD-RW/DVD+R/DVD-R/DVD+RW/DVD-RW
* burn mp3-CDs to store many audio files on one single disc
* create bootable discs
* verify written Data automatically after burning process
* use either the internal browser to add your files or the intuitive Drop-Box to drag and drop files directly from any Windows Explorer window
* apply file filters to see only the files you need (for example *.jpg to display only JPEG files in local browser)
* save your compilations for creation of backups
* burn on-the-fly and with buffer-underrun protections
* import previous (ISO 9660) sessions and edit existing file structure on CD/DVD
* quick- and full-erase disc
* retrieve recorder and disc information

Create Audio-CDs

* create Audio-CDs from mp3, wav, ogg and wma* files
* add single or multiple tracks from existing audio-CDs directly to your new compilation without ripping tracks before (add cda-files)
* play audio-files with integrated audio player
* gapless audio-CDs supported (disc-at-once-mode)
* import m3u-playlists
* *only available for Win98SE and later

Rip Audio-CDs

* rip tracks from any audio-CD to wav, mp3, wma or ogg
* download album information from online database
* sort ripped files in subdirectory automatically (based on information you get from online database)
* supports jitter-correction ripping modes to rip tracks from scratched CDs

ISO features

* burn ISO files to CD
* create your own ISO files
* convert bin- and nrg-files to ISO

Other features

* simple cover printing feature for Data- and Audio-CDs
* Audio Editor
* MP3 Tag-Editor
* converter for audio files (wav+mp3)
* supports most IDE, USB, Firewire and SCSI drives
* ASPI not required for NT/2000/XP
* integrated option to enable access to drive for restricted users
* lots of settings to customize CDBurnerXP Pro
* online update
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Sateira CD&DVD Burner
License: Shareware; $30 USD
Requires: None
Website: Sateira CD&DVD Burner
Screenshot: Here
Size: 3.4MB
Operating systems: 98/ME/NT/2000/XP
My Rating: Good - Sateira CD&DVD Burner is very tinny and is does exactly what is says, nothing more. If you have 30 $ to spend and you are a ''burning geek'', Sateira CD&DVD Burner is not a very good choice.

Sateira CD&DVD Burner is a professional CD & DVD burning software with advanced features and easy to use interface. Using this software you can easily create and burn audio and data CDs and DVDs, CUE and ISO images, view and extract sessions from multisession CD or DVD, quickly backup your personal files and folders, view detailed information about hardware and more... This is a very powerful burning package with small size and low resource usage. This is optimal solution for notebooks and laptops. Program records: CDR/W, DVD-R/W, DVD+R/W, DVD+R DL, DVDRAM. It has very flexible interface and all required functions for recording. This is one of the best solutions for beginners and professionals.

The main features

With Sateira CD&DVD Burner you are able to:

* Burn data CD or DVD
* Burn audio CD from wav, mp3 or ogg files
* Burn ISO / CUE / BIN images to CD / DVD
* Save ISO images
* Erase rewritable CD / DVD
* View and extract sessions from multisession CD / DVD

Features:

* All 32-bit Windows versions are supported
* Supports CD-R / CD-RW / DVD-R / DVD-RW / DVD+R / DVD+RW / DVD-RAM / DVD+R DL
* Tested with SCSI, IDE / EIDE, USB CD / DVD recorders
* Create bootable CD / DVD or ISO images
* Supports ISO9660 / Joliet files systems, burning simulation, OPC, BURNProof...

Benefits:

* On the fly burning. No temporary files
* Supports long filenames and foldernames (max 108 characters)
* Burn over 300000 files and 80000 folders
* Import any of the available previous sessions
* Doesn't use any dlls or ocxs. Built-in ASPI layer
* Displays necessary information about recorder and disc
* Fast ISO image building speed
* Professional disc layout editor

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Ashampoo Burning Studio
License: Shareware; $29.99
Requires: None
Website: Ashampoo Burning Studio
Screenshot: Here
Size: 6.18MB
Operating systems: 95/98/ME/2000/XP
My Rating: Excellent - Ashampoo Burning Studio is everything you need it to be, and you just can't beat German engineering. Ashampoo Burning Studio is the perfect Nero replacement, small size, extreme fast speed, superb features and clear user interface, whatever you are a veteran or a beginner, you will feel it's developed for you.

This burning application makes it easy to create and copy your own data DVDs and CDs, video CDs, audio CDs, and multisession DVDs or CDs. The features of Ashampoo Burning Studio 5 include drag-and-drop functionality for adding files directly from Windows Explorer, support for filenames of up to 256 characters for DVDs and 64 characters for CDs, verification of burned data, and burn-speed options. The program burns WAV, MP3, WMA, and Ogg Vorbis files directly to audio CDs without any plug-ins. Other features include volume normalization for audio tracks; easy copying of audio and data CDs and DVDs; a DAO mode for data, video, and audio CDs; creation capabilities for MP3 and WMA DVDs or CDs; the loading and saving of project files; and the ability to erase CD-RWs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, and DVD-RAMs. The program supports the following disc types: CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-RAM, and double-layer DVD+R. A language editor for creating new language interfaces is included. The last version (5.51) adds new features: full Blu-ray support, support for the DVD-R Dual-Layer format, integration of a new bug solving assistant. Languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Hungarian, Dutch, Turkish, Russian, Bulgarian, Portuguese (Brazil), Czech, Slovenian, Norwegian, Polish, Simple Chinese, Ukrainian, Serbian.

The main features

* Create MP3 CDs/DVDs/Blu-ray discs
* Burn Movies as Video DVD, Video CD (VCD) or Super Video CD (S-VCD)
* Create and burn CD/DVD/Blu-ray Images
* Load and save project files
* Erase CD-RWs / DVD+RWs / DVD-RWs / BD-REs
* Drag&Drop functions for adding files directly from the Windows® Explorer
* Supports file names with up to 127 characters for DVDs and Blu-ray and 64 characters for CDs
* Burn speed and other options can all be set automatically
* Burns WAV, MP3, FLAC, WMA and Ogg Vorbis files directly to Audio CDs without any plugins
* Create copies from audio, video or data discs easily
* Interactive troubleshooting assistant that helps to solve hardware and media problems
* Integrated support for over 1,700 CD, DVD and Blu-ray burners

Ashampoo Burning Studio 5 also helps you to save money on CD/DVD/Blu-ray blanks. Since it produces “multisession” discs you can always add more files later provided that the disc isn’t completely full. This feature makes Ashampoo Burning Studio 5 ideal for everyone who needs to make occasional backups of important data!

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NTI CD&DVD Maker
License: Shareware; $49.99
Requires: None
Website: NTI CD&DVD Maker
Screenshot: Here
Size: 45 MB
Operating systems: 98/ME/2000/XP
My Rating: Very Good - The price is not very atractive, but has a lot of features (good for power users). If until now you didn't find any replacement for Nero and you are still looking then try a older version of Nero smile.gif NTI CD&DVD Maker is good but looks like an over bloated version of Nero.

NTI CD & DVD-Maker 7 - is your solution for burning CDs and DVDs. The integrated user interface delivers fast and easy burning in a few steps. Perfect for all your recording needs! Safeguard, Organize and Share - all of your files with one easy-to-use CD and DVD burning solution. Whether you’re storing data files, organizing digital photos, creating a video library, or enhancing your music collection, NTI CD & DVD-Maker 7 makes burning your own CDs and DVDs an easy process.

The main features

The Complete Burning Solution

* NTI CD & DVD-Maker 7 - is your solution for burning CDs and DVDs. The integrated user interface delivers fast and easy burning in a few steps. Perfect for all your recording needs!
* Safeguard, Organize and Share - all of your files with one easy-to-use CD and DVD burning solution. Whether you’re storing data files, organizing digital photos, creating a video library, or enhancing your music collection, NTI CD & DVD-Maker 7 makes burning your own CDs and DVDs an easy process.

New Features in Version 7

* DVD Fit – Compress dual-layer movies down to single-layer size, remove unwanted features, and burn them without having to split a movie onto two discs. (Does not work with copy-protected movies.)
* Disc Spanning – Archive your data files on CDs and DVDs, and let our new Disc Spanning feature help you organize your files onto multiple discs!
* Cinematic Video and Cinematic Slideshow – Give your home videos and slideshows a professional look with our new Cinematic feature. Our program will intelligently edit together the best parts of your videos & pictures, and automatically add transitions & effects to synchronize with your background music. Choose from several exciting styles to give your video or slideshow a polished look! (Note 1)
* Photo Disc – The Photo Disc feature allows users to save JPEG photos on a CD where most new DVD players can play the Photo Disc as a picture slideshow.
* Support for Dual-Layer DVD Media
* New Look and Feel – We have redesigned the skin to improve the look and feel of our software.

Complete, Easy, Powerful Features

* In NTI CD & DVD-Maker 7, you will find new features that enhance your CD & DVD burning experience. Our software still makes it easier than ever to burn important data to a disc, but we’ve added new premium features to let users take control of their PC multimedia experience. Create audio CDs, compress and copy DVD movies (non-encrypted movies), make custom photo slideshows, and much more!
* Burn music onto CDs just the way you want it! With MP3 encoding and WAV editing, NTI CD & DVD-Maker Platinum is a perfect complement to your music collection. Record live audio to CD on the fly – perfect for recording business meetings or creating a digital archive of your classic LPs and cassettes. Download Artist and Title information in seconds using freedb; create an MP3 CD that can be played in an MP3 player; or convert your WAV files to MP3 and vice versa. It’s that simple!
* Share your photos and videos on CD or DVD! Create photo slideshows complete with audio – perfect for sharing with friends and family. Burn favorite photos onto CD or DVD for safe storage and easy organization, add customized menus to VCD or SVCD discs, or encode your home videos and create VCDs. If you don’t have time to customize everything, our software will help you create a Cinematic Video or Cinematic Slideshow and do all the editing automatically!

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Prassi Ones
License: Shareware; $24.40
Requires: None
Website: PRASSI ONES
Screenshot: Here
Size: 6 MB
Operating systems: 98/ME/2000/XP
My Rating: Very Good - The price is atractive has a lot of features. Prassi Ones has a clean interface so is very easy to use. Yet another Nero perfect replacement !

ONES has been designed to meet the needs of both beginners and experienced users alike, thanks to its intuitive and user-friendly interface. ONES is different from other CD/DVD burning software as it uses an innovative new recording technology which means that it can function with any existing or future CD/DVD recorder. Updates are no longer necessary. ONES stands out from the crowd in implementing innovative recording technology with a unique Fuzzy Logic approach. It’s a totally driver-less application that will not require new versions to manage most of the new CD and DVD recording drives that are coming to the market. Burn easily DVD Video, DVD ROM, Audio CD, CD Rom, CD Extra, Video CD and much more...

The main features

* Dynamic interface for both beginners and power users.
* Burn easily DVD Video, DVD ROM, Audio CD, CD Rom, CD Extra, Video CD and much more...
* User is shielded to make setting mistakes.
* Totally Driverless Application; no frequent download updates are needed.
* Create easily Audio compilations from MP3, WMA or WAV.
* Easy and understandable Overburning.
* Full support of CD-R 100 Min.
* True recording speed.
* DVD Native application open to all new DVD standards.


Source: Neowin Forums

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