Data CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, HD-DVD (including MP3 CD/DVDs)


How to Create an mp3 CD or DVD


An mp3 CD or DVD is just a data disc onto which you choose to burn mp3 files. Please see below for details on how to burn a data disc.

How to Create a Data CD, Data DVD, Data Blu-ray


Note: Data DVDs are only available in Express Burn Plus
The process to create a Data CD/DVD involves the following steps;
  1. Select the disc compilation as a data disc
  2. Change the Volume label (optional)
  3. Select the filesystem to use (optional)
  4. Adding and Removing Files
  5. Create folders and arrange files into these folders
  6. Burn the Data disc

Each of these steps are detailed below.
Select disc Compilation
The disc type can be selected by using the toolbar (the row of icons at the top of the main windows), selecting the 'Data' tab, and selecting 'Data CD', 'Data DVD' or 'Data Blu-ray'. Additionally you can click on the New disc button on the toolbar, or use This disc menu, disc Type and select a data type. You can also type one of the shortcut keys listed.
Change the Volume Label
The first line has a small disc icon and this is the volume label. By default it will be Label. To change this select the label and press F2. Please be aware only the first 16 characters will be used.
Select the filesystem to use (ISO, Hybrid or UDF)
The filesystem is the way data is stored on a disc. In most cases please use Hybrid but for maximum compatibility with old PC's use ISO/Joliet. You may select the filesystem to be used for the disc with the button on the right which will be labeled 'ISO/Joliet' or 'Hybrid' or 'UDF'. This button toggles between the filesystems (you may also use the Ctrl+S shortcut key).
These filesystems are explained in more detail in Data CD Overview.
Adding and Removing Files
Any file or folder may be added to a Data disc. If you add a folder all files and sub-folders in it will also be added. You may add files using the 'Add File' button or by dragging them onto the Express Burn main window. You can add folders similarly using the 'Add Folder' button or by dragging and dropping.
Files can be removed in the same way as Audio CD files. Please note if you delete a folder all files in it and folders are also deleted. If you attempt to delete the volume label it will clear all files from the compilation.
You cannot rearrange the order of files in a folder. The filesystems require that they be alphabetically sorted. You may drag and drop files from one folder to another.
Create folders and arrange files into these folders
The Create Folder button on the toolbar allows the user to add a folder to the currently selected folder. First select the folder you wish to add it to (if you select a file the folder will be created in the folder containing that file). By default the folder will be named Folder1.
Any file or folder can be renamed by clicking on the filename and typing in a new name. Please be careful to retain the existing extension.
Note for the ISO filesystem, there are limits of 62 characters for a filename and 8 levels of folder depth.
Burning the Data disc
Once you have a list of files arranged place a disc of the appropriate type (e.g. DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW for a Data DVD) in your Burner drive. You should then click on the "Burn CD" button (or "Burn DVD" etc), or select Burner->Burn CD from the menu (or "Burn DVD" etc) or press F3.
You will then be prompted for the Burn Settings .If you are unsure of which settings to choose leave them set to the default selection. If you have more knowledge of what you would like to do select the appropriate settings. Any changes made to the settings are saved for future burning sessions.
The inserted disc will then be checked. For a used rewritable (CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, BD-RE) you will be asked if you wish to erase the disc and proceed writing the audio CD.
The Write process can be quite slow, taking up to 20 minutes depending on media and drive. Please note there is a slow process at the end or the write called "Writing Lead-in/Lead-out". This takes a minute or two depending on drive and media.