Express Burn is a simple yet powerful software tool that allows you to create and burn multiple types of discs including data CDs, audio/MP3 CDs, video DVDs, video Blu-ray discs, and others. Besides, you can also work with disc image files, either creating them or burning them back into blank discs. This tool is designed to be easily usable even by inexpert users.
The program's user interface is not particularly attractive, but it is pretty intuitive and functional. It is organized in tabs that allow you to select the function or type of disc you want to create. Those tabs are Audio, Video, Data, ISO, Tools, and Suite. The first three tabs allow you to add different types of source files according to the selected function. Then, you can select the specific type of disc to be created. For example, Audio tab supports adding all types of audio files, including MP3, WAV, WMA, OGG, M4A, FLAC, AAC, CDA (CD audio tracks) and many more, and then you can select among Audio CD, MP3 CD, or MP3 DVD. As for the Video function, the program supports the addition of video files in practically all known formats, and you can select between Video DVD and Video Blu-ray.
One of the most powerful features of Express Burn is, in my opinion, the extra tasks it automatically carries out for you. For example, you can create audio CDs from video files, as the program can automatically extract the audio streams. You can create a video DVD from simple video files in multiple formats, as the program performs all the authoring tasks for you, so you don't need to worry about them at all. This enables inexpert users to create video DVDs with just a little effort, but if you happen to be an experienced user, you can also make use of more advanced functions like aspect ratio selection, video settings adjustment, chapters management, and menu creation.
As a drawback, I will mention that this program downloads and installs many of the components it requires during its usage without asking for your authorization. For example, ffmpeg.exe, which is a video encoder required for the video DVD creation function, is automatically downloaded and installed without any warning. Even more, the Suite tab of the program is purely advertising and includes many shortcuts to other software tools by NCH Software. When you click on any of them, the corresponding tool is automatically downloaded and installed.
In conclusion, Express Burn is a versatile disc-burning utility that allows you to perform the most common tasks and is suitable for both beginners and experts. Since the program can be used for free for home and non-commercial purposes, I would recommend most users giving it a try, as it is powerful and, at the same time, lightweight.
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