CDBurnerXP 4.5.8.7128

Overview

CDBurnerXP is a very popular application that is used to burn CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and HD-DVDs. Despite being a free application, it has a large number of features. Let’s see if it manages to do all these things well.

Installation

Installation is quick and simple after the small 4MB download. There are no confusing options or settings, and no adware or toolbars are bundled. Despite the name, it supports all newer operating systems after Windows XP as well, including Windows 7. It in fact runs on anything from Windows 2000 onwards. You may need to install the .Net Framework before you can use the application.

Interface

As soon as you run the application, a window that lists out the different categories of tasks pops up. There’s a short description of each category as well. However, after this initial screen, the interface gets a little complicated. Once you choose a particular category, you’re presented with a screen that is overflowing with buttons and file and directory lists. This will definitely be quite confusing for a beginner to start with. This is true across all the categories of tasks. Advanced users will be pleased with the interface, because it puts everything just a click or two away, but new users might need some time to get used to it.

Pros

What’s most impressive about CDBurnerXP is that it supports a variety of tasks, way beyond what you would expect from freeware. Besides the regular features such as burning data discs or ISOs, many advanced, useful features are available. For instance, gapless audio CDs can be created. You can verify if a disc is burnt correctly, convert between different types of disc images, and even design CD covers. This actually matches up to several paid disc burning suites you can find, and is a huge plus. Another thing that sets this application apart is the comprehensive help guides and FAQs you can find on their website that detail every little aspect of the software. There’s also an active forum where you can ask questions and receive support. On the whole, in terms of both support and features, CDBurnerXP goes far ahead of most free disc burning studios and even competes with paid software.

Cons

CDBurnerXP isn’t all that easy to get used to. The interface has been designed with power users in mind more than beginners. Though not a bad interface by any means, it’s just an application that will take some time before you can get comfortable with it. Though overall, it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to features, it’s quite surprising to see that it does not support conversion of videos to standard DVD format.

Alternatives

There are several alternatives to CDBurnerXP, but two of them that stand out: Ashampoo Burning Studio and Nero Kwik Media. Both of these applications can match CDBurnerXP in terms of features, so should be considered as well.

Conclusion

CDBurnerXP is an application that is capable of performing several useful tasks that most freeware burning studios cannot, but it can be a little overwhelming for beginners. Still, a great piece of software to have installed.