Creating
CDs
The term burning
CDs refers to the process of creating a customized CD using
a CD-writer. Various software packages such as HP CD-Writer, Easy
CD-Creator, and Nero allow users to create organized layouts for
data files and folders, audio, and video files and burn these
customized layouts to a CD.
CD-RW drives
on personal computers are primarily used for the following purposes:
- Creating
customized CDs containing multimedia projects such as electronic
portfolios.
- Creating
back-up copies of existing CDs.
- Backing
up data from PCs.
- Creating
custom compilations of music.
- Storing
files and folders
Types
of CDs and Their Uses
Data
CDs and Audio CDs
Before learning
how to use a CD-RW, you need to know about the types of compact
discs (CDs) and their uses. Data CDs are used to store
files and folders such as those on your hard drive. Although these
CDs can be played in computers that have a CD-ROM or CD-Recorder,
they cannot be played in your car or home stereo. Audio CDs
are used to record music from tracks and audio files, such as
WAV or MP3 files. These CDs can be played on your car or home
stereo.
|
8
Data and Audio CD Comparision
|
|
Data
CD
|
Audio
CD
|
- Used
only for data storage
|
- Used
to record music from tracks and audio files (such as WAV
or MP3 files); used only for playing music.
|
- Typically
holds up to 650 MB of data.
|
- Typically
holds up to 74 minutes and up to 99 tracks and audio files.
|
- Can
be played on any computer that has a CD-ROM or CD-Recorder
(CD-R) drive.
|
- Can
be played on computers with CD-ROM or CD-Recorder drives,
car stereos, and home stereos.
|
- Ideal
for backing up files, storing spreadsheets, and financial
data.
|
- Ideal
for recording favorite music from other CDs and audio
files to create CDs.
|
- Ideal
for sharing multimedia presentations, graphics and CAD
files, Internet downloads, web sites, and documents.
|
- Ideal
for creating audio CDs that contain tracks from multiple
music CDs.
|
CD-Recordable
(CD-R) and CD-ReWriteable (CD-RW)
Two different
types of CDs can be purchased for use in CD recorders and CD players:
CD-Recordable (CD-R) and CD-Rewritable (CD-RW). It is important
to understand the differences between the two types. This can
save you a lot of time (and money) as well as help you avoid frustration.
|
8
CD-Recordable (CD-R) and CD-ReWritable (CD-RW) Comparision
|
|
CD-Recordable
(CD-R)
|
CD-ReWritable
(CD-RW)
|
- Can
be read by all CD-ROM, CD-Recordable, and CD-ReWritable
drives.
|
- Can
be used only in CD-ReWritable drives or newer Multi-Read
CD-Roms.
|
- Use
this type of media if you want to listen to your music
CDs in a stereo.
|
- You
cannot play a CD-RW in most home or car stereo CD Players.
|
- Use
when you do not need to erase the data.
|
- Use
when you need to erase the data.
|
- Less
expensive than CD-RW.
|
- Repeated
use can be a cost-saver in the long run.
|
- Excellent
for permanent data storage, such as large project files,
archives, and family records.
|
- Use
to make practice CDs or to test the contents of a CD before
making a permanent one.
|
Using
CD Writer Software
Various software
programs such as HP CD-Writer, Easy CD-Creator, and Nero allow
you to create CDs using CD-RW drives. You can save your CD layout
in a CD creator software program so that you can use it to record
a copy of the same CD at a later time. Once saved, you can add
or remove items from the CD layout. This is especially useful
if you want to create a copy of the same CD at a later time.
A data CD
layout can consist of files and folders, as well as audio files
(such as WAV and MP3 files, but not music CD tracks). Mixed-mode
CDs can be created to include files and folders as well as audio
files.
An audio CD
layout can contain tracks from multiple music CDs. Insert your
music CD into your drive and add the track to your audio CD layout.
Repeat for each track you want to record. When the actual recording
begins, You will be prompted to insert the appropriate music CD
in your drive.
A CD layout
acts like a pointer to where information is located (such as files
on your hard drive or music tracks on a CD in your CD-ROM drive),
but does not store the actual data. When you add files or tracks
to the CD layout, the CD layout keeps track of where the information
is located and uses the information when recording a CD.
To create
a data CD using HP CD-Writer:
Notes:
- You will
need a blank CD-RW disc.
- CDs that
are formatted on an HP CD writer may only be rewritten to
on another HP CD writer.
1. Double-click
the HP CD-Writer icon on the desktop. A menu will open.
2. Select
HP Record Now.
3. Select
Make a Data Disc.
4. Insert
a blank CD-RW cd into the CD writer drive. Click Next.
5. Click
on the Add Files and Folders button.
6. Locate
the drive (and folder) where the files you want to burn to CD
are located.
7. Select
the file or files you want to burn to CD and click Add.
(Select multiple files by holding down SHIFT.)
Note: Repeat
steps 6 and 7 until of the files you want to burn to the CD
have been added.
8. Click
Next to create your disc.
To
Create a Data CD Using Easy CD Creator 4:
1. Open
Easy CD Creator from the Start menu. Click Start,
point to Programs, point to Adaptec CD Creator 4,
then Features, and then Easy CD Creator.
2. Open
a Data CD Layout. Click the small arrow next to the New
button on the toolbar and select Data CD from the drop-down
list. A Data CD Layout appears.
3. Insert
a blank CD into the CD-writer (the destination drive).
Before
proceeding, take a few moments to study the image below. This
is what the Easy CD Creator looks like. Notice the Explorer
Section and the CD Layout section below it. The Explorer Section
contains the folders on your computer and the files and folders
in each selected folder. If you click a hard disk or folder
in the left hand box of the Explorer section, the box on the
right will display its contents. If you click a CD-ROM drive
that contains a music CD, the right box will display the various
tracks.
To create
a Data CD or Audio CD, you must select the files or tracks
that you want to record from the Explorer section and then
add them to the CD Layout located in the Easy CD Creator.
This is where you assemble and organize the files, folders,
or tracks that you want to record to a CD. The CD Layout must
contain all of the files and/or tracks before you create a
CD. To add files, folders, and tracks to the CD layout, see
below.
There
are two ways to add files to the CD Layout: by clicking and
adding or by dragging and dropping.
To Click
and Add: Select the item you want to record in the Explorer
section and then click the ADD button on the toolbar.
The item is added to the CD Layout.
To Drag
and Drop: Select the item you want to record in the Explorer
section. Press and hold the left mouse button while you drag
the item to the CD Layout. Release the mouse button to drop
the item into the CD Layout.
4. In the
Explorer section, select the data file or folder you want to
record and then click Add until the Data CD Layout contains
all of the files and folders that you want to record.
5. Click
Create CD. The CD Creation Setup box appears.
6. Click
OK to start recording.
You may
get the following image. Just click Cancel unless you want
to see the test files.
If the
CD-RW is brand new, you may see the following image. Click
OK.
The computer
will begin recording the data onto the CD-RW.
As the
computer records the data, you will see an image that looks
similar to the following. Allow the disk to complete the process.
This may take several minutes.
Once completed,
the following image will appear. You can click OK unless
you would like to create a Jewel Case.
After
you click OK, you may see this screen. Click No.
