Express Burn is a powerful software tool that allows you to burn multiple types of discs in an easy and intuitive way. Namely, you can create data CDs/DVDs/Blu-ray discs, Audio CDs, MP3 CDs, MP3 DVDs and video DVDs/Blu-ray discs. In addition, the program includes some extra tools for creating and burning ISO image files, and for erasing re-writable discs.
Every time you run the program, you are asked what type of disc you are creating and an optional name for it. However, once on the program's main window you can switch from one type of disc to another very easily, thanks to its tabbed interface. Three of those tabs are "Audio", "Video" and "Data", and each one allows you to select the specific type of disc to be created, for example CD, DVD or Blu-ray for the "Data" section. Then you can start adding your source files according to the selected disc type. One of the greatest advantages of Express Burn is the variety of formats it supports for the source files. For example, you can create audio CDs from audio files in more than 30 formats including MP3, WAV, WMA, Ogg, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, RAW and others. You can even use video files and the program itself will take charge of extracting their audio streams for your audio disc.
A similar thing happens with the Video section of the program which allows you to add source video files in multiple formats. You can add one or more of them, up the capacity of your blank disc, and then you can perform several action over them or over the disc itself. Video disc creation is on of the most versatile features of the program, as it allows both standard and expert users to create video discs with ease. While standard users can simply add their source video files and click on the "Burn Video DVD" button, experts can benefit from the more advanced functions like video preview, menu creation, chapters management and output settings adjustment. Unfortunately, some of the functions require additional apps by NCH Software that are automatically downloaded and installed. For example, you are offered to edit your source video files, but to do it the program downloads and installs the "VideoPad" app without any explanation, warning or authorization.
As I stated before, the program also allows you to work with ISO files, but its functionality is rather limited in this sense, as you can only create an ISO file from a burned disc, or burn an ISO file into a blank disc. Additionally, the program includes a disc-copy utility which is accessible from all the Audio, Video and Data sections.
In a nutshell, Express Burn is a great disc-burning tool that perfectly combines power and ease of use. The program can be indefinitely used for free, but some its features will not work until you buy a license and register it. If you prefer so, you can use Express Burn in command-line mode too, which even allows you to integrate it with other tools.
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