Since the moment that I got my new Plextor 4012TA drive I started researching all the latest CD writing programs.
I will try to make the long sort and I will say that the most functional software for music CDs is the Easy CD 5 platinum ..
It has the most easy engine to preview and listen the songs than any software out there .
I do also use the latest Nero and CloneCD .
But there is not any perfect by every aspect software and I believe that it will not ever be one ..
I will agree with the most that we need simple and stable software ,and I believe that the Easy CD 5 platinum and the latest Nero is more than good enough .

I had also try the WinOnCD 5 Power Edition , well I do not know how stable it is , but it haves worst look and usability than the Easy CD 5 platinum ..
The bloated Easy CD 5 basic ,was the reason that I had move to Nero in the first place.
But the platinum version it is a lot better and worth as software ..
I do wonder what the Roxio thinks that the Easy CD 5 platinum does not have and they move on to another version !!
By my opinion Roxio must remove parts from the Easy CD 5 platinum , and not to add more ..

About the SVCD , I believe that this must to become a different and separate chapter from the CD burning software.
Simply because, the average solutions is never good enough.

why does everyone gotta keep b****ing... both programs are good, neither are perfect. but here's what i think, EZ CD is great for new users plain and simple who aren't as "tech savy" or whatever term you wanna use, as others. EZ ain't the greatest piece of software out there but it ain't as bad as most ppl keep saying. I used EZ CD from ver 4 up to 5.1. I just decided to switch over to Nero b/c i liked the options it had, i wanted more burning options that i would USE, like VCD, hybrid CDs, mode selection, yada yada yada. The average user doesn't really care about that crap. All they want at first is a program to burn their data or audio CDs. Deal with it and EZ CD is great for that. I for one have had few probems burning discs with EZ CD, yeah a few coasters every now & then but thats any program. It crashes, locks up sometimes but guess what so does Nero. I can count quite a few times that Nero locked up right at the end of a burn. And thats happened with both WinXP & Win98 on 2 different types of systems. I prefer Nero just because it has more options that *I* want. Not everyones the same :P

the answer should be clear here, Nero wins. roxio should just give up on making crappy software. either make it good or forget it. we (hardcore cd compilers) do not need a "cute" interface. forget that. we need functionality. roxio is too bloated. i have lots of systems varying from 300 MHz to 2.2 GHz, and nero works fine on all of them. even the 300. roxio didn;t feel like working on the 300. it works on the other systems. but it loads to much drivers and portions of the program at windows startup. nero works fine and doesn;t load anything. i have burned over 5000 CDs and out of those, 10% were coasters cuz of roxio. i have NEVER had a problem with nero. not even starting with versions 3.0 and so on. nero rules. roxio sucks. that's the bottom line. to the people wanting to buy the roxio software. save your money. get nero. it's 1/2 the price and a lot better. with the rest of the money you'd spend on roxio go to bestbuy and buy yourself a 50 or 100 CD-R spindle.

PS. i liked the post with the format C: vs. install easycdcreator.msi LOL! true true.

quote:
"Roxio is looking for experienced users to beta test version 6"

they mean suicidal people. or people, who hate their computers. The best way to kill a computer is to install easycd creator. works better than a harddisc format:

format c:\ VS. install easycdcreator.msi

Install easycd creator wins!

I should apply for a job in roxio's marketing department. I have a great idea: easy cd creator should be sold as eraser software, not as burnsoft. The advertisement slogan should be: most secure erasure of your harddisc! erase sensitive data with our programme! we are the absolute experts in the destruction of Operational Systems!

In my personal use, especially at the using the software at school levels. I had to persuade the school to buy Nero as a product for making backup copies of software. The difference was basically virtually, Nero taking 15-20 minutes to backup the cd vs. Roxio Easy Cd Creator 5 taking anywhere from 1 to 2 hours just to make a backup cd. All the settings were the same set on both of them. Yes the software may be free when you get the drive, but there is a difference between free and great performance. Even if you do buy the full version of it, you still run into the same problem with roxio. Also despite if the their site says it supports the burner, unfortunately through the problems with the schools burners it did not work. Fortunately, Nero and Disc Juggler did support the drives, pending also they will give default drivers to the drive if it isn't even supported.

I've used Nero without any serious problems... I recently got a new CD-RW drive and it came with Roxio EZCD 5.1 - had no problems. Just last week, I installed the upgrade to 5.3.x and it works like a charm. I use both Nero and the Roxio s/w and I have no preference - except on the fly, I think I now prefer the Roxio product.

In my personal experience, I have used various burning programs just as most of you have. I can honestly say that with Roxio products, at least 25 to 30% of the time I end up with a coaster. I have literally burned 100's of cd's using Nero and I am sure I can count the coasters on a hand with less than 5 fingers. Take that for what its worth. Seems to me that people that like snazzy interfaces turn to Roxio. Lets face it, its prettier than most. I hope that Roxio will put more effort into true functionality on this version and not worry so darn much about the cutesy buttons. However, this is not the history of this product. They have always focused on being the coolest looking. Big deal. I want products that work. I dont care if they have the butt ugliest interfaces that I have ever seen, I can adjust. If they perform, that is where I will lay down my money. And I spend a damn lot of money on software. I purchased the Roxio product only to be greatly dissapointed. My mistake. Shoud have done the homework. Roxio, do yourself a favor and take all these comments to heart.

I've used Nero Burning Rom for years and I've never had any problems with it. As for Easy CD Creator, I've had nothing but problems with it. The last decent version of Easy CD Creator was version 4.01 after that nothing but problems.

also I have yet to ever see nero burning rom cause a system that was working fine before it was installed to crash. Can Roxio make that same claim???

Minimum speed requirement: 1 GhZ or higher?! ...I think I'm going to pass. Looks like they're planning 6 to be very bloated afterall. Why are they still supporting Win98? Support for 98 is discontinued from MS; it's old now. They should concentrate on getting it to work in 2000/XP only. Oh well, I've lost any respect I had for Roxio...

Have you also lost respect for reading directions? :)

From the signup page: "Note: The following requirments are set to allow full functionality testing with all applications included in the software package, and are a requirement of Beta Testers Only. Actual minimum system requirements are subject to change."

1GHz is just a requirement for beta testers because obviously Roxio wants a test environment that mirrors actual computers that people use.

I don't like EZCD because the interface is hard to use.
first of all, I HATE HATE wizards.
looking at Nero, everything is in the place it should be.

I'm very good at using softwares, and I tend to figure out what's where in any software.
photoshop caused me quite awhile(3 hours) to learn fully, but EZCD, a simple software took me full 20 minutes. btw, I accurately used nero without any hesitation of where to click without reading any instructions. I don't know what people are trying to say when they say Nero is hard to use.

(Not that people don't use slower computers than 1GHz, but with most computers selling these days with at least 2GHz processors, it would not make sense to do a beta test with 3+ year old systems.)

Nate, whilst I respect Roxio's wishes to beta test on current hardware, like you mentioned it doesn't make sense to beta test on reasonably outdated hardware, do we really need a 1 Ghz machine just to burn cd's and/or dvd's? I believe that Nero states a minimum of a 90Mhz machine to burn cd's although you'd need something slightly more powerful to burn a dvd.

I don't understand your comment. There's no point in bosting on your easy understanding of the "softwares". Nero is a very good burning utility. However, just because you have had problems with Roxio doesn't mean it sucks. I use nero and roxio both with no problems what so ever. Don't be quick to judge just because something doesn't work with your system. Maybe your system sucks. ;)

No the person is right. Roxio products suck. Nero is ten times better....

What kind of a squid would have a sub 1GHz system and a DVD-burner? And, is that the kind of person you want testnig your software?

I *did* read the directions and I understand that people with fast systems should be testing it, and so forth... I just wondered if that 1Ghz requirement reflects how bloated they are going to make version 6. Obviously, it will probably take more time to load and have a whole lot more crap added to it.

Skills of the beta testers are more important to me than how awesome their systems are.

I hope ezcd6 is half as bloated and makes a tenth of the coasters it does now. If it does, then it will be half as good as nero or clonecd. Ezcd5 is just one of the most problematic pieces of software that I HAVE to install on the pc's I take care of.
Here's to hopin they make it MUCH MUCH better.

I keep hearing of all kinds of problems with EZCD5, and I just want to say that although it is pretty bloated software, it runs well for me. I don't doubt that people are having problems, and I am not going to try and promote the software. If you don't like it or have problems with it, it's understandable that you wouldn't use it. I just want to make the point that since I have installed WinXP, EZCD5 has been running extremely well for me. It might also have to do with the new burn-proof cd burner I got. I have installed EZCD on several PCs and have had luck on all of them, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. I keep a copy of NERO on my machine as well, for serious burning.

I've used EZCD since version 4 and have NEVER had a problem with it! I've tried Nero sorry to say it stinks!! The interface is very hard to work with in my opinion. CloneCD is very good. But Nero come on people!! Try to burn in Nero and then try to add to that CD with EZCD well you will loose whatever was burned with Nero. What does Nero do to that CD that the session can't be imported? I help out at a computer repair store, The other guy likes Nero I like EZCD well after 2 weeks the owner pulled Nero off all the machines and said NO MORE! and anything he comes accross that was burned with Nero ends up in the trash can. It is a useless CD since you can't add to it with other burning software!!

Why throw away the CD's you burned? They can still be read, albeit, sometimes with the UDF reader installed. Anyway, EZCD5 is very problematic. Not easy to install or troubleshoot. It would be nice to see version 6 work correctly for more people. I like Nero and EZCD both. I have DCD v5.1 installed with Nero 5/InCD v3.3 on my W2K machine working almost 100%.

He just don't want them around!! Soon as he tries to add drivers or whatever the disk is as good as toast!!

You shouldn't even be BURNING with proprietary software if you want compatability on all machines. It's YOUR own fault if the CDs dont work on other machines. You should be burning discs in the ISO format, not UDF anyway. I use Nero, Roxio EZCD Creator 5.0 Platinum and CloneCD and I prefer each of them for certain things. For ISO burning, I prefer EZCD, in standard file burning Nero reigns and CloneCD is good for making CD copies. Installing UDF drivers shouldn't be a pain at all, I remember trying it once with the old DirectCD that came with EZCD 4.0 and I hated it. I've never used DirectCD since. Which is why I recommend you never use UDF and if you want to use a massive storage device like a floppy ... buy a Zip drive (Iomega is coming out with newer high capacity drives, I can't remember the max capacity off-hand).

I'd sign up for the EZCD 6 beta but they want you to have a video capture abilty and I don't have any of that. But aren't those requirements REALLY steep? A 1Ghz processor? The latest 3d games don't even have that for a requirement! (Unreal Tournament 2003 has a requirement of 733Mhz and a recommended speed of 1Ghz.)

They are not being burnt with Direct CD (I hate it too) EZCD works with no problems. I work at a PC Repair shop and we burn downloaded drivers to the CD's and just keep adding to this. The to softwares EZCD and Nero just are not compatable with each other. I've tried Nero a number of times because so many people rave about it. I personaly can't see why??? We will use what works!!

I do not agree with none of you idiots. First of all, EasyCD 5.x is a good software is as Nero, NTI CD-Maker, Fireburner, etc. etc. etc. It's only a matter of a power user to actually learn how to use the software, instead of complaining on subjects you guys don’t even know a bit about, just the rumors and complaints you guys hear from "other users" makes you generate an opinion without evidence. Why can't people just read and actually experience different obstacles first then come to a FINAL conclusion?

I am an experienced user, MCSE and A+ certified and have been using EZCD, Nero, Fireburner and many other applications. You have to remember, every application has its different purpose.
Stop complaining without actually knowing what you are commenting about.

Goodbye.

Last time I checked, knowing anything about Nero and EZCD were not requirements of getting your Microsoft Certified Solitaire Expert and A+ certifications. I know a lot of people who have degrees and certifications. And they are complete morons. :)

Personally, I've had better luck with Nero. I used to use EZCD, but it kept managing to screw with my system (Windows 2000), so I got rid of it. Actually at the moment I use neither and burn my CDs in Linux, but that's off-topic.

I believe that you should work on an English Language and Grammar certification to go with your other certifications first before you start calling people idiots whilst making yourself out to be some kind of "power user". Use whatever works best on your system, for many people that will be Nero and for some it will be EasyCD.

Personally I have seen nothing but problems on all but one of my friends machines when it came to Easy CD 5, whilst I've never once had a problem with Nero. And if you find Nero to be in some way difficult, I'd hardly go around calling yourself a power user and go and use Nero Express instead, it comes with all the pretty icons and wizards that I'm sure you like having in your burning software.

As for Roxio, thanks but no thanks.

> I've used EZCD since version 4 and have NEVER had a problem with it!

Count yourself one of the lucky few.

> I've tried Nero sorry to say it stinks!!

That's your opinion and you are entitled to it. You obviously prefer pretty icons and wizards in which case I'd recommend you give Nero Express a try. Obviously I can't imagine you having too much difficulty with CloneCD as it only has 4 buttons.

> Try to burn in Nero and then try to add to that CD with EZCD well you will loose whatever was burned with Nero.

Have you tried the other way around? i.e. Burn in EZCD and then add to that cd in Nero? Did that work? Maybe it's something that EVCD is doing wrong, or maybe it's something you are doing wrong in Nero.

Like I said before, Nero and EZCD Creator are totally compatible with eachother. It is obviously an error in your burning techniques or you have a really crappy CD drive to put it bluntly. None of the two softwares burn in a proprietary format (which would also require hardware support, mind you) but the default is the CDROM [ISO] which is compatible with even older drives (note, that the format might be, but some old drives just aren't capable of reading CDR & CDRW)

Okay, dimitry, the biggest problem you have is you're trying to say that being a Microsoft Certified System's Engineer (which has nothing to do with CD Burning to my knowledge and is just that you can program on windows machines, etc.) So don't use this as a reason for being superior, please.

The eternal question of which is better. I've actually had Nero mess up on me and spit out coasters every single time. So I can't say I've had a flawless time with Nero. But I've had the same with Easy CD Creator as well. But overall Nero supports more, has supported more (they had extra features like VCD before EZCD) but necessarily isn't the easiest to use or has the "prettiest" interface.

I'd recommend that newer people use Easy CD Creator until they get a hang of burning, learn some of the terms and methods of burning and then try Nero and see if they like it. And that is from a non-MCSE certified person.

First of all, my certifications have nothing to do with the topic. Thus, my whole point of my comment was that most of you people complain and make judgments based on "rumors", without actually knowing what you are talking about.
Like I said, every software application has it's sole purpose. Do not diss something if you are having problems with it or cannot configure it properly. And, no, I use a lot of burning software: Nero, EZCD, Fireburner, CDRWin, Padus, Blindwrite, etc., so on, so forth.
Like I said, every application has its purpose. You people just seem to comment on things without fully knowing what you are commenting about.

Cheers.

> You people just seem to comment on things without fully knowing what you are commenting about.

How is it that you know us so well that you are able to comment on wether we know what we are commenting on or not? You're not being hypocritical are you?

I'm sorry. I was under the impression that when you tested a product...and it didn't work "as expected" for you...that it was grounds to "diss something." If you went out and bought yourself a bright, shiny new Mustang, and the engine knocked, it back-fired, and the wheels had a nagging tendency to fall off in traffic, you pretty much had the right to say, "This thing is a total piece of crap!!" Does that mean every person will has the same experience? No. Or at least we hope not. That's why you want to hear from everyone about it. Good and bad. "Diss" away.

will has = will have

Ugh. Long day.

Yes I've tried the Nero Express. Thought at first this isn't to bad. But the more you use it the Less CD's you'll have that will work right!! Atleast thats how it worked out for me. We used EZCD at the shop for years with No problems. Soon as the new guy decided he wanted to try Nero all heck broke loose. No one knew which CD's were burned with what program and we were loosing everything. If you like Nero good for you!! Just don't try mixing the 2 together. As for the pretty graphics your talking to someone the could give a crap about how pretty it is!! All I care is it works!! And EZCD works!! And I hate Wizards!!! Never use them!! I guess its all what your used to using and having to change to something else isn't fun!!

I've been burning CD's since the $400 2x drives. I think I know what I'm doing...