roxio sucks - suggestions for a replacement burn SW

[merlocka]

I've been using EZ CD 4 under win98 to burn audio CD's from mp3. I liked it because it converts just about anything just by dragging it into the program. Call me lazy.

I just purchased EZ CD 5 platium, and did all the XP updated. With XP, I'm making coasters left and right.

When trying to burn and audio CD from mp3, I end up with a coaster and either an "unspecified error" or an "IDispatch error 4503". Roxio CSR said that the 4503 error is because EZ CD can only convert 128bit mp3. This seems bogus because I can (every once in a while) burn a CD from mp3's encoded using LAME VBR (which is the format I have about 40GB of mp3 at).

If I boot to Win98SE, I can burn all these CD's properly using EZ CD 4. This doesn't seem like much of an upgrade to me.

The CSR suggested I convert my mp3 to 128bit before burning. I laughed and asked for a refund.

Roxio is willing to give me my money back. Any suggestions for a CD writing software which can properly convert mp3's?

 

[wildwildwes]

I'd give the shareware version of nero a try.

nero

 

[Shudder]

Definitely nero.

I didn't realize people used other programs still

 

[esung]

another vote on Nero. it's much better then EZCD.

 

[PrineFan]

i would be happy to use NERO-- but when i downloaded the demo i could not find out how to "finalize" the disk so it can then be played on other CD-Roms.

with roxio-- after you recorded the songs you want-- you are asked to "finalize" the disk--- very simple directions.

with roxio, if you downloaded data files, you were also led to finalize.

BUT. with nero, I could not find out how to "finalize" and the "help" directions I could not find out either. if anyone can instruct on how the disks get finalized on NERO demo, I'd be interested. thanks.

 

[stockjock]

Nero....I have never had a single problem burning MP3 with XP and Nero. I'm not sure what you mean about finalize...but I've never had to "finalize" anything...I just drag my MP3 into the burn area and then hit the flaming cd icon and its done for me. Whats nice is that I'm allowed to add data to a data CD by clicking on the continue an existing burn circle in the startup wizard.

 

[wildwildwes]

<< i would be happy to use NERO-- but when i downloaded the demo i could not find out how to "finalize" the disk so it can then be played on other CD-Roms.

with roxio-- after you recorded the songs you want-- you are asked to "finalize" the disk--- very simple directions.

with roxio, if you downloaded data files, you were also led to finalize.

BUT. with nero, I could not find out how to "finalize" and the "help" directions I could not find out either. if anyone can instruct on how the disks get finalized on NERO demo, I'd be interested. thanks. >>



On my copy, there's a check box for it on the "burn" tab when you start burning or start a new cd.

Nero is great software. If you like it, I recommend buying it to support quality cd recording programs.

 

[merlocka]

I installed Nero, which came with my drive (duh) and then the update from their website.

Not as polished as EZ CD, but more options and at least it works. Looks like I'm done looking.

 

[holycow]

another vote for nero.. there is also another alternative, roxio winoncd. winoncd is way better than ezcd.. it easier to use than ezcd and it also give the user more freedom to config cd burning options..

 

[PrineFan]

Just so i understand....

with NERO, if you record 50 minutes of music, and then take the CD out of the burner, it will play on the car stereo cd player??? you don't need to "finalize" the disk????

and then, if you want to add 20 more minutes of music 2 weeks later, you can do this with NERO? so you now have 70 minutes of music????

this confuses me, cause with roxio-- you have to "finalize" the disks before them being allowed to play on other cd players.

so i guess that's my question-- do you just record the music and simply take the CD out of the burner, and it will play on any other cd-rom? no "finalization" process?