Use Easy CD Creator 5 5.2 Basic to make your own CDs and DVDs. In just a couple of mouse clicks, you can make music CDs that can be played on your home or car stereo CD player, or make data CDs and DVDs for storing computer data such as the files and folders on your hard disk.
Here are some of things you can do with Easy CD Creator 5.2 Basic:
Make high-quality music CDs from any source including other music CDs and audio files (WAV, MP3, or WMA).
Archive and store your computer data on a data CD or DVD.
Make backup copies of your favorite music CD, data CD, or data DVD.
Included with Easy CD Creator
Easy CD Creator includes all of the following applications:
Easy CD Creator: Make music CDs from other CDs, MP3, and more. Make data CDs and DVDs (DVD+RW) for sharing and archiving data in the most compatible format.
DirectCD: Make data discs that allow you to write directly to a CD-Recordable, CD-ReWritable, or DVD-Recordable (DVD+RW) disc just like you would write files to a floppy disk or removable drive.
Disc Copier: Make backup copies of your music and data discs.
System Requirements
Here are the minimum system requirements for Easy CD Creator:
IBM PC or compatible 200 MHz or faster
Windows 98/NT4/2000/Me/XP
32 MB RAM (64 MB RAM recommended)
50 MB free hard disk space
CD-Recordable, CD-ReWritable, or DVD-Recordable (DVD+RW) drive
CD-ROM drive that supports digital audio extraction (for making a music CD from other music CDs)
Blank CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-Recordable (DVD+RW) discs
800 x 600 display, 256 colors minimum, 16-bit color recommended
Windows-compatible sound card (16-bit or better)
Internet access to take advantage of Internet features
Uninstalling Easy CD Creator
Roxio recommends that you uninstall any older versions or evaluation versions of Easy CD Creator prior to installing new versions.
To uninstall Easy CD Creator, use the use the Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog box in the Windows Control Panel.
To access the Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog box:
On the Windows taskbar, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
Installing Easy CD Creator
To install Easy CD Creator:
Insert the Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 Basic CD into your CD-Recorder or CD-ROM drive.
Note: In this guide, the term CD-Recorder refers to both CD-Recordable and CD-ReWritable drives.
If Autorun is enabled on your system, the Roxio Installation window appears automatically and you can skip Steps 2 and 3.
From the Start menu, select Run.
Type d:\setup (substitute the appropriate letter of your CD-Recorder or CD-ROM drive for d.)
Follow the installation instructions that appear on the screen.
Starting Easy CD Creator
The easiest way to start Easy CD Creator is from Easy CD Creator Project Selector. Project Selector makes it easy to select the right application for the type of disc you want to make. You can access Project Selector by doing any of the following:
Insert a blank disc into your CD-Recorder or DVD-Recordable drive.
On the Windows taskbar, click Start, point to Programs, point to Roxio Easy CD Creator 5, and select Project Selector.
Double-click the Project Selector icon on the Windows desktop.
Double-click the Project Selector icon
on the Windows taskbar.
Using Project Selector
To use Project Selector:
Roll your pointer over the Project Selector buttons on the left of the window. The applications are grouped by project type.
As your pointer rolls over each button, a submenu appears on the right with a description of the application.
To open the application you want to use, click its button in the submenu.
Note: If an option is grayed-out, it is unavailable in the version of Easy CD Creator 5 you currently have installed. Please upgrade to Easy CD Creator 5 Platinum to install the additional options.
What Types of Blank Discs Should I Use?
CD-R/CD-RW
There are two types of blank CDs (recordable media) that are used for making your own CDs:
CD-R discs (CD-Recordable)
CD-RW discs (CD-ReWritable)
You can obtain blank CD-R or CD-RW discs where you purchased your CD-Recorder or at local computer retailers.
When to Use CD-R Discs
Virtually all CD-ROM and CD-Recorder drives can read CD-R discs. CD-R discs are excellent for permanent data storage and should be used when you do not need to erase the data. They are less expensive per CD than CD-RW discs. Here are some ideas for using CD-R discs:
When you want to make a music CD that you can play on your home or car stereo CD player.
When you want to copy a music CD for your own personal use.
When you want to permanently save large project files.
When you want to permanently archive or store files, such as your home records, photos, or videos.
When to Use CD-RW Discs
CD-RW discs can only be used in CD-ReWritable drives and MultiRead CD-ROM drives. You cannot play a music CD made on a CD-RW disc in most home or car stereo CD players. Here are some ideas for using CD-RW discs:
When you need to write, erase, rewrite, and update all your large files on CD.
When you want to make a practice CD or test the contents of a CD before making a permanent one.
WARNING: Only drives bearing the logo "Compact Disc ReWritable High Speed" can write or erase High-Speed CD-RW discs.
Attempted writes to High Speed CD-RW discs using CD-RW drives NOT bearing the logo "Compact Disc Rewritable High Speed" may result in data loss.
High Speed CD-RW discs may be recognized by the same "Compact Disc ReWritable High Speed" logo on the disc label or packaging material, or by the fact that it lists recording speeds of "4X to 10X," or, "Up to 10X."
DVD+RW
There is one type of blank DVD recordable media that can be used for making your own DVDs:
DVD+RW discs (DVD ReWritable)
DVD+RW discs can be used in DVD+RW ReWritable drives and most MultiRead DVD-ROM drives. You can obtain blank discs where you purchased your recorder or at local computer retailers.
WARNING: Use only DVD+RW discs in your DVD+RW drive.
How Much Data Can I Fit on a Disc?
The actual capacity of blank discs can vary slightly. For example, some 74-minute CDs may hold up to two minutes more than their stated capacity. Easy CD Creator lets you record as much data or music as the disc can hold. Here are the typical capacities of currently available media:
Blank CD-R discs: Available in two capacities: 650 MB (74-minute) and 700 MB (80-minute).
Blank CD-RW discs: Available in a 650 MB (74-minute) capacity.
Blank mini CD-R discs: Available in a 180 MB (21-minute) capacity.
Blank DVD+RW discs: Available in 4.7 GB capacity.
Supported Formats
Easy CD Creator supports the creation of the following CD-R/RW formats which are used to make data and audio CDs:
CD-ROM Data CDs: This is the standard for recording data CDs.
CD-ROM XA Data CDs: XA stands for Extended Architecture. CD-ROM XA is based on CD-ROM but adds better audio and video capabilities so CD-ROMs can more easily be used for multimedia applications.
CD-DA Audio CDs: Compact Disc-Digital Audio. This is the original compact disc standard and is used to record music CDs.
File System Options
Easy CD Creator allows you to select different file system options depending on how you plan to use your disc. They include:
ISO9660: An international standard that specifies how data is physically recorded onto the CD (sector-by-sector) into a directory tree (up to eight levels of directories). CD-ROMs made according to the ISO 9660 Level 1 specifications can be read on multiple operating systems such as Macintosh, DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows 95/98, and Windows NT.
Joliet: A standard developed by Microsoft for Windows 95 that allows CDs to be recorded using long filenames. Joliet allows you to use file names up to 64 characters in length, including spaces, and also allows you to use Unicode characters for better international support. Joliet records the associated DOS standard filename (8 + 3 characters) for each file so that the CD can be read on DOS systems or earlier versions of Windows.
UDF: Universal Disk Format (UDF) is a standard developed by Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA). The file system was first supported by Microsoft in Windows 98. Select UDF if you want a file system for use with recordable optical disc technologies, such as DVD. This is especially useful when burning very large files (greater than 1 GB). The UDF file system allows greater flexibility than the Joliet or ISO 9660 file system.
on the Windows taskbar.
