Basic version of Nero 9 FREE!!

[ozbloke]

Never thought I'd live to see the day but Nero are actually offering something for free! Perhaps they are feeling the impact of competition from other freeware burning programs.

Anyway, it is a stripped down Version 9 with basic data burning and disc copying features for CD and DVD. I cannot locate an exact list of features but the download weighs in at around 55mb so I would assume all basic burning functions would be included.

An email address is required as part of the download process so there will, no doubt, be some emails offering upgrades, specials, etc.
Please be aware also, during installation Nero will ask you to agree to install the Ask.com search bar and change your default browser search page to Ask.com. There is an opt out though, the 'extras' can be avoided by checking the radio button next to "Install Nero without the Ask Toolbar."

Nero have always produced very good burning software and it's about time they realised not everyone needs all the associated bloat nor wants to pay mega dollars just to have a decent burning program.

Here is the link: http://www.nero.com/eng/downloads-nero9-free.php

cheers....JIM

[DavesComputerTips]

VERY good find Jim!

[Mindblower]

Extra! Extra! Nero basic for free!! Well, I still using a registered (not free) version of Nero 7 (just updated it, for free, and in a nick of time). I tried out this slim (cannot say basic, rather say primitive - to be nice) package. Thought there might be something new (?). If there is/was, I could not find it. Did not spend too much time with it, and it's gone. One thing I must say about Nero, their uninstall does an excellent job of removing itself.

As expected, they want you to get a taste (drop, not slice) of what the registered version can do for you. Best to pass on this offer, since there are better FREE software that do what this intro fails to do, Mindblower!

[ozbloke]

Okay MB - I'm going to put you on the spot here. Which of the free burners includes a feature to 'copy disc' and can produce an exact copy of a CD or DVD??

cheers....JIM

[Mindblower]

I honestly haven't got a clue. Is this what you wanted to hear? No doubt if you don't mind using a limited trial version for x number of days, one might find something to aid in a pinch, Mindblower!

[Ziggie]

Okay MB - I'm going to put you on the spot here. Which of the free burners includes a feature to 'copy disc' and can produce an exact copy of a CD or DVD??

cheers....JIM

For this, I recommend ISO Recorder
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm

--zig

[ozbloke]

Thanks for that Zig. Unfortunately though, on all operating systems up to and including XP, ISO Recorder works with CD's only. Support for DVD was added for Vista and is only available for anyone using that OS.

That would be a pretty serious limitation for the majority of Windows users.

cheers....JIM

[dodester]

i hate that ask.com toolbar included in freeware and software applications installer, got me once i for some reason i couldnt get rid of it, drove me mad.

thanks again OZ

[Ziggie]

well....fine Jim, be picky.

Considering I don't own a DVD burner, it's never been an issue for me.

[OldElmerFudd]

Okay MB - I'm going to put you on the spot here. Which of the free burners includes a feature to 'copy disc' and can produce an exact copy of a CD or DVD??

cheers....JIM

Burnaware Free
http://www.burnaware.com/

Ashampoo Burning Studio 2010
http://store.v3.co.uk/?act=details&id=1476

Imgburn
http://www.imgburn.com/

DeepBurner Free
http://www.deepburner.com/?r=products
(doesn't do direct disc-to-disc copying.)

Best

[ozbloke]

Hi Ron - Sorry to disagree but I believe neither Burnaware FREE nor ImgBurn will direct copy disc to disc (in other words do not include the 'copy disc' option). The commercial version of Burnaware includes that feature but not the free version.

Same story for Deepburner, the free version does not include direct disc copying. The site clearly states that this feature is available in the Pro version only.

Ashampoo Burning Studio 10 was not available for free when my question was originally put forward.


Thank you,
JIM

[OldElmerFudd]

Hi Ron - Sorry to disagree but I believe neither Burnaware FREE nor ImgBurn will direct copy disc to disc (in other words do not include the 'copy disc' option). The commercial version of Burnaware includes that feature but not the free version.

Same story for Deepburner, the free version does not include direct disc copying. The site clearly states that this feature is available in the Pro version only.

Ashampoo Burning Studio 10 was not available for free when my question was originally put forward.


Thank you,
JIM

Yep, you're right on all counts (although I did say that about DeepBurner). Direct copying in freeware is a tough one to find. Burning Studio 2010 is a better solution than this free version of Nero, imho. I'm pretty familiar with Nero; it just seems really limited to me. Again, ymmv.

Best,
Ron

[Selahgal]

I have movies and home movies on my computer that I need to put on a DVD to watch on TV and make room on my computer!

What is the best easiest to use and preferably FREE software available to do that?

I have WinXP.


Marci

[ozbloke]

Hey Marci - The "movies" you have on the computer, are they backups of commercially produced movies? Are they .vob files stored in folders labeled 'Video_TS'? If so, what software did you use to rip the movies to the hard drive? Or are they movies (or movie clips) you have downloaded from the net? If so, what format are they (what is the file extension)?

Also, what format are the "home movies" saved in (what is the file extension)?

We will need those details before proceeding please mate.


Cheers....Jim

[Selahgal]

Hey Jim!

The movies are in .avi, mp4 and .flv formats right now.

Home movies are in .mod and .mpg formats.

I do have a video converter that can change them into other formats like .wmv or mp4, etc., but they often turn out weird, missing audio or messed up video when I've tried to do that, except when I've converted them to .wmv.

Wish I could just drag them to the DVD drive and call it done like I do with data!!!


Marci