When I click the "?" it shows 0 executions left [I purposely used the allowed 9 trials to run it down to zero] but it still "seems" to function. I know the first few comments addressed this issue but still don't have a warm fuzzy that this is a full working version.

As stated above, it's a fast download. Little effort required for installation and registration (no e-mail address required, etc.). Simple interface but "Help" is maybe too simple and not very helpful. There are three options under Help: Activation, "Look what else you can buy from us", and "About this software"; no "how-to" instructions or troubleshooting info. But most of us have used some sort of CD/DVD-burner software before. A "Plus" is that installing this software did not interfere (so far) with other installations like some other burners (e.g. Nero) has been known to cause. It won't replace my primary burner (a previous GAOTD offering - Ashampoo Burning Studio) but it's nice to have an alternate burner.

RecordMax was Downloaded, Installed and Registered without any problems Whatsoever on a Vista Home Basic 32-bit Laptop with Duo Core CPU and 4GB Ram.
I had NO Problem confirming Registration by clicking the "Question Mark ( ? )" in the lower left corner and selecting " about RecordMax ".
The Program's Main Window has Clean Simple Menus that should make it SIMPLE for ANY Newbie to select the appropriate Wizard for the job. I wish I had had such a simple proggy when I got my first "CD Burner"!!!

@36 You can burn a ISO image I just Did. Thanks .

Simple, straightforward, and useful.
Proving less can indeed be more.

Recommended and deserves
a much higher rating here.

User interface not friendly enough. Can't adjust file's order in audio-CD mode. Can't click 'Back' button after simulation test.

Interesting OVERLAY... appears to be 99% identical, less TABS, to my version of Nero 7 Ultimate Edition, Nero Burning ROM's "New Compilation" overlay.

Curious, I checked which Processes were running before and after opening this software. I was curious if the ORIGINALITY of the software ended with its "COPIED" OVERLAY. In short, I was curious if its executables were invoking NERO Burning ROM. It does not appear to be, but that does mean that it IS NOT USING Nero's programs!!!

Anyone know if this OVERLAY copying SOFTWARE is using its OWN programs or is it, as I suspect, STEALING FROM Nero Burning ROM's source code???

Martin

My ideal DVD burning software (for purpose of archiving digital data only) would include: -

a) Can backup files with redundancy to allow recovery from scratched discs.
b)Auto burn integrity verify option, and keep log of results based on volume title
c)Long filename checking before burn - and suggest best burn option if needed due to filename length limitations - option to manually edit long filename to make acceptable plus auto edit option
d)Drag files to icon packet burn mode with auto verify confirmation all working in background - no dialogs.

#37 - Mike
For Wii disks, use Rawdump. Google it, as you also need a specific DVD reader as well. These disks are very difficult to copy. Search forums, lots of info

Re #38 - Problem resolved by changing Display DPI setting from 120 DPI to 96 DPI
Now I can see the Buttons!!
Hope this solution will be of use to others using 120 DPI.

Tried to burn a DATA DVD , Wizard Starts , select SPTI-SCSI, Select
DVD recorder, ISO 9660+Joliet, Bootable Disc NOT chosen(ie next), then
there is a Files Selection Page - "Using buttons on the right side of the tree,
selct files and directories to bur"(n half missing , unable to stretch window !).
THERE ARE NO BUTTONS. Unable to Proceed further. If
you click next Popup Window says "You must add files or folders".
Tried Right Clicking and Double Clicking. Tried drag+drop with no success.
Tried reinstalling without any change.
Any one at Support got an answer?
If not, then this is of no use to me, or indeed anyone else.
[WindowsXPSp3 Resolution 1680x1050]

#37 I use DVD Shrink

http://www.dvdshrink.org/

#29 DVD VideoSoft Free Studio will do that and more.

http://www.dvdvideosoft.com/downloads.htm

Tell me one thing this program does that CDBurnerXP does not do. That is all.

I wold have not downloaded it and installed it, if it was not for Talia - BEAUTIFUL NAME - CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR PARENTS!!! # 32 above. I've got all of them (software suggested in all comments), but your remark is the best one! thank you!
mario

Installed perfectly but..

SO MUCH MISSING ! No HELP file I can find. No FAQ or Forum on their website. Can't find an icon for "RIPPING." If "GRABBING" is the same thing, why limit the wav rip conversion to wma which is not supported as well as mp3 (i.e. wma CD or DVD won't play on most DVD players let alone portable music hardware). I thought I was getting an "easy to use" app -- and for the most basic uses, it's clearly not. I'm glad I didn't pay for it and may uninstall it because it is clearly not the "all-in-one" app it claims to be.

Will it copy DVD9 into DVD5?

Not impressed. I tried to burn a Video_TS file folder that I had made single layer size set of files. When I tried to ADD them, I was told the files were over 5gb, and it wouldn't proceed! Windows explorer agreed the files were only 4.04gb. I easily managed to burn same file folder, using NTI media maker 9. Also the program requires asks far too many questions. 'What type of DVD burner' do you have, it should do this automatically as other progs do. When I tried to burn and I hadn't removed an old DVD, instead of telling me disk was not blank, retry, it took me back two levels and again asked what type of DVD I was trying to burn! When there are fine free alternatives (Plus most PC's laptop , OEM drives already have burning software), this software need to ADD VALUE for $30!
My 2 cents worth!

>Audio CD ripper – store your audio tracks as WMA or WAV files
It is a joke, right? Gazzilions of freeware progs CAN rip audio CD to mp3 and program worth 30$ CAN'T?

@#20, seeing that you don't know what a CD-ROM or a double-layer disc is, you probably shouldn't be giving advice here.

Mike, or anyone

I seem to remember that recently there was a similar giveaway that would also back up game discs. Does anyone remember which program that was, or alternatively, a freeware program that would back up my game (Xbox 360, WII, or PC) discs? Or might recordmax studio do that?

Thanks

Installed and activated OK on Win7 64. Seems unnecessarily complex with questions such as SCSI transport?? and also will not burn a bootable disc from an ISO file.

# 20
Double layer is not the ability to record on both sides of a disk, but rather thius type of disk has 2 layers of recordable media available. One is deeper than the other.
It is best to know what you need in advance, but you can always ask. ;-)

Will it burn metadata onto a CD? Will it add an album image?

Hello everybody!!

This is a very interesting APP that works smoothly and flawlessy with a reasonable use of resources.

It's very easy and intuitive to use and, despite its little size, has also nice features such as the AUDIO RECORDING option that allows users to mix songs!!!

So THUMBS UP for me!


However, if you want a more advanced & professional CD/DVD Burning Tool, I believe that ASHAMPOO BURNING STUDIO 2010 ADVANCED Edition is still the way to go!!

You can grab it for FREE follow (missing) Ashraf's instructions here:

http://dottech.org/freebies/17360


Enjoy!!


Cheers from Italy!!

Giovanni


P.S. By the way...what became of ASHRAF? Is he still alive?? I miss him!!

8 april 2011
"RecordMaxBurningStudio":

I just saw this product on download.cnet.com, there are 26 reviews and 25 give it "5 stars"! It's the most "5 stars" program I have ever seen on Download.com! Must be a good one! Talia

http://download.cnet.com/RecordMax-Burning-Studio/3000-2646_4-10797920.html

I used Nero for my Eee netbook, but was to heavy for small procesor on netbook.
I downloaded RecordMax Burning Studio and worked perfect on my netbook.
Highly recomended.

I'm not sure that I understand. I'm confusing. Pardon the English, it nots my mother. Anyone can remember grape-nuts. Great little app! Thanks to GotD and the developers for today's wonderful offering!

This is a great program and is find for burning audio or data to a CD/DVD. This program seams to only allow you to create DVDs if you already have the VIDEO_TS folder already on your hard drive. Does anyone know of a free program to Create DVD's or AVCHD disks with the option to create Chapters and menus from Video files?

#14: "It used to be the case that these deep-installs, those programs that hooked themselves deeply into the hardware, like a burner, liked to have the devices to themselves."

The Key Phrase there is "It used to be"... I haven't seen or read about those sorts of problems for well over 5 years now. That said, Roxio will integrate itself with Windows to the extent that you'll never get rid of some portions without a Windows re-install. That's not normally a problem. I've run Nero, Roxio, + for a while, Ashampoo & Magix burning apps in the same Windows XP, Vista, & 7 installs without issues.

You can however & FWIW have problems with virtual CD/DVD/BD drives, unrelated to the burning app itself when/if it includes that sort of virtual drive [RecordMax Burning Studio doesn't]... that's why I've never been able to run other Starburn apps as-is, & just didn't think it worth the hassle to remove that portion only.

* * *

#15: "Can this burn FLAC to an audio CD without first converting???"

The Starburn site has help docs/manuals + a forum where you can find most all of that stuff. You can also download Starburn, use Universal Extractor http://goo.gl/8upF on StarBurnSetup.exe, then copy the Help.chm file under Wizards\Help wherever you like or want.

* * *

#18: "... after the activation (all I see is a popup), the software continues to report it’s unregistered and the evaluation counter continues count down to zero..."

If you're in Vista/7 you may need to run at least once as admin to get the registration data written to disk -- 7 is really bad [or good depending on your perspective] about limiting where you can add files without higher levels of permission.

On comment #12. Aaaah, some common sense for once. Often I'll say the best comments I see are those which have more knowledge about the software industry than those containing requests for multi-tasking Jello. I also appreciate knowing about the various freeware out there that is often the equivalent or better.

Not sure this thing is really activated. Says unregistered version and
shows only 6 executions left. If so out she goes. Don't like the look,
which choice to I use to copy a DVD movie or music disc?

RecordMax Burning Studio is a subset of Starburn [ http://goo.gl/fN7Dw ] with a simpler GUI. It's better IMHO because it comes without most of the added bloat [the only word I can think of -- sorry] that makes Starburn incompatible with some Windows installs... I've never been able to run Starburn without problems. Installing RecordMax Burning Studio also has much less impact on Windows -- it's almost portable... you should be able to make it so using Portable App Creator [find it in the forums at portableapps.com &/or Google/Bing]. Starburn's devs have been at this a while, so I'd expect RecordMax Burning Studio will work reliably for most folks, but that said, the individual apps/wizards launched by the main window are dated 2008, before Windows 7.

To me the reason to use RecordMax Burning Studio rather than a competing app, or Windows itself is the simplicity & wizard-based operation... if you find those alternatives too complicated, it can't get much easier than this. OTOH considering the many free apps available, plus the big discounts you'll find when [Much] more full-featured pay-ware's on sale [e.g. I've seen Nero free after MIR], I have trouble imagining anyone paying $30 for today's GOTD -- I rarely comment on price but that just seems outlandish.

Far as alternatives go, the 2 that are maybe best known, being on retailer shelves & all, are Roxio & Nero -- full versions of both are large [some say huge] collections of separate apps that don't always work flawlessly, & have a big impact on Windows, especially Roxio [IMHO you come closer to marrying Roxio than licensing it ;-) so be sure to back up 1st & remember their store has a 30 day money back guarantee]. Ashampoo's apps are popular [register the trial 1st so you get reduced price offers], Magix burning apps weren't bad at all when I used them a few years back, & you have several free choices to choose from. ImgBurn is probably THE standard when it comes to burning discs, but many will find it daunting to use [I printed a PDF of the settings from the ImgBurn site, for an earlier, less complex version no less, & it's 50 pages]. It's not really hard to use, but if you find a large number of options/settings confusing, don't go there.

The program folder for RecordMax Burning Studio takes up ~20 MB with 22 files, 1 folder -- a folder's added under User App/Application Data -- registry entries amount to an uninstall key + an empty key for Rocket Division Software.

#4 (Frank)

See if this helps

http://bubble.ro/Data_Execution_Prevention_error_message_in_Windows_XP.html

@14-Phaedron: "...the case that these deep-installs, those programs that hooked themselves deeply into the hardware, like a burner, liked to have the devices to themselves."

Technically this is just another "Starburn"-burner (no rocket-science), registry is left orderly and clean, no driver installs, almost portable (except for registration which is a pitty), installation of files converging to installationfolder, no shared component overwrites.
Really a very uncomplicated and clean installation.

Nothing special, they sell it for the bundeled essential features in an uncomplicated interface. Just judge for yourself how you like it. When you do, take it, it's free today (and tomorrrow if you download the trail).

I saw note 3. The confusing point for me is that after the activation (all I see is a popup), the software continues to report it's unregistered and the evaluation counter continues count down to zero. The software appears to be functional after the countdown, assuming registration restrictions are at the front end (i.e., "software unregistered...buy now").

This looks like it is one of the better programs offered here. It is simple to use and easy to understand.

#7 - As far as knowing what kind of disc to use, you can't expect a software program to tell you which one to use. The package on the discs will tell you. The software is compatible with any of the discs. However, to break it down, CD-R and DVD-R is for recording only. Once you record on these discs, you cannot erase what you've put on the disc. CD-RW and DVD-RW are discs you can use to record on and then if you want to, you can erase the disc and record something else. Double layer discs can be used to record on both sides of that one disc. While most CD-ROM's included with computers today support all of these features, make sure yours will work with the type of disc you want to use before purchasing the discs.

Hope this helps!

@12-TeeK: "there is so much wonderful free software available, that any software writer has to find their own niche"

I understand; this software can do all that what other software, that is available, can do. There is really no reason for all the other software to be available aswell.

Think about this "food for thought"-snack. You will always be free to choose, but choice can be a nasty luxury problem, right?

Can this burn FLAC to an audio CD without first converting???

It used to be the case that these deep-installs, those programs that hooked themselves deeply into the hardware, like a burner, liked to have the devices to themselves. Installing any other hardware-linked program used to cause conflicts that stopped both of them working.
What's the state of play these days? Can we keep installing these burning programs, one beside the other, until we decide on one we like? Do they conflict?
[Where's the real-time HTML preview of text?]

#7 : dont forget Infrarecorder, open source, free and nice :D

This program is meant to be a really quick and easy way of burning disks. I know we would all like our own pet functions to be added, but that would quickly turn this into something quite different and a very great deal more complicated.

Yes, a free DVD authoring package on GAOTD would be very nice (it has happened in the past), but because of the nature of DVDs, that will be big, serious software that is not very easy to learn. Sadly that is the nature of DVDs and little can be done about it.

This software does what it sets out to do and does it very well. It is up against free programs like IMGBurn, so $29.99 does seem too much, perhaps $20-25 maximum.

Really, there is so much wonderful free software available, that any software writer has to find their own niche - Either write a program for something completely new (VERY difficult to do, as there is so much software out there already), or write a program that does something better than anyone else, or make it easier to do.

This is in the "make it easier to do" category and that is why the more you add on to the program, the more you change the sort of people it is aimed at and the more complicated to learn and use it will become. Software authors have to be very careful then what they include. It is not that they ignore people's suggestions when they don't impliment the suggestions, it is that sometimes that would change the sort of users the software is aimed at so much, that they would be competing in a very different market.

It installed easily on Vista, but I couldn't find it in my start menu after installation. It was not where I put it. Any suggestions?

Every now and again GOTD comes up with a real gem, this is one! Tnx etc.

At reading the description I thought "Gee, I can do that in WMP". Then I installed the program (no problems Win7 x64) and saw that it does more than what the description here states. You have to go to the developers website to see that it supports blu-ray. The interface is very simple as is actually using the program.
The only thing I see right now that I don't like is that ripping a CD only allows you to save the files as .wav. This is the proper way to back up a CD I guess, but FLAC is lossless and will save lots of space.
This is I program I would recommend to my parents.

Downloaded and installed fine on my Windows Xp,but when I try to activate it,it takes the code and says thanks for your support,but when you close the program and reopen it and go back to it,it's still not a registered version,I started out with 9 executions left,know I'm down to 6 left and still not a registered version,dosn't seem it should even say that when I put in the activation code,whats up with that?
people who downloaded this,You Better recheck yours too.

PS:I can click the Buy Now Button and it does nothing.

If you're looking for a "less complicated" burning program, I'd suggest IMGBurn, which is always free.

http://www.imgburn.com

As others have said, it loaded and ran easily.
I was drawn by the simplicity tag used in the promotion, most of the soft I have is a little too complex for most of what I do.
I burn a lot of mostly data CD's, ppt, to send to clients as it overcomes the issue of corruption that often happens during Email or other E transfer tools.
To that end I have only used the first option, data CD, but so far 100% success rate, well 3/3!
Can't find a help file, but, well it is fairly straightforward.
I like it, and will keep it, thanks GAOTD and NITBits Sound.

Oh one thing, did notice in the ? mark "Activate software" it tells me it is unregistered and I have exceeded my trial offer, even though the activation key was recognised "with thanks".... I now have zero executions left, but it still works!

Lastly the "RADIATION " symbol logo, hmmmmmm.

On my 64{bit} Windows 7 Ultimate I had no trouble installing this program but when I opened it I found that there was a button named activate that wanted a buyers key only so I entered the registration key in the readme file and it seems to have been accepted. Why were we given the registration name if it's not required?

This is a fine burning program but if they really want to make things easy for everyone, it would tell you what types of CDs or DVDs are needed for the task you choose. For instance, there are DVDr, DVDrw, Double Layer DVDs, CDr, CDrw and so on. I know which to use for every task but many don't. Since their pitch is this basically, 'this is the burner that's so easy dummies can use it' I would think they would tell you what type of disc to use for what you want.

My favorite freeware alternatives:

BurnAware Free
CDBurnerXP (Don't let the name fool you, it's not just for Windows XP)
Ashampoo Burning Studio Free