Before Roxio (Adaptec), it seemed like I was always picking the worst CD burning software. At first I used this Sony CD Extreme program that was the absolute worst. Then I used these programs called Nero Burning and Click'n Burn Plus. Whenever I selected data or music to copy, I would always get a pop up screen that said there were errors in the process.

I was infuriated, and I almost gave up until my friend, the son of the CEO of Roxio, told me to use Easy CD Creator 5. He gave me the disc the next day, and I installed it. I gawked at the screen in amazement because the interface is laid out so nicely. The graphics of the program are cool and futuristic, and the jobs you could do with this program were all beautifully animated on the opening screen.

The next phase was actually using the burning qualities of the software. I moved my mouse over the "Make a Music CD" button, and a list of choices came up on the right. The first choice was soundstream, and under it, it said, "The easiest way to make compilations of your favorite music from MP3s, CDs, LPs, and more." Since I have a crazy amount of MP3s on my computer (1900+) I decided to select this option.

From the program, I looked through my music files, and simply added each song, one by one. The actual adding has like a three second delay per song, and that was a bit annoying. I quickly got past that due to the software's tremendous performance. Anyway, I added my 17 or 18 songs, and I clicked record. The software asked me to name my CD and the artist, and once that was inputted, it started recording. With my 12x Sony CD Burner, Easy CD Creator 5 was able to make my CD within minutes.

CD Creator 5 does much more than just make your CD though. It actually converts the MP3s into CD tracks automatically, and it restores the quality of the MP3 tracks lost by the first compression. The sound I witnessed coming out of my stereo after burning my CD was incredible. There was no way that I could tell the songs being played were MP3s and not the audio that comes off purchased CDs (wav).

Then, after the CD was created, I was about to write a label on in SharpieŽ, but seconds before I noticed the CD Label Creator option. I clicked on it, and it was so simple to make my label. I just typed in the track names and the artists, and bada-bing, it was done.

Now that I've talked about the musical CD process, I'd like to discuss some of the other awesome features. Easy CD Creator 5 lets you make data CDs, photo albums, video postcards, video CDs, and of course, the traditional CD copying option.

The photo album option basically means a slideshow with cool capabilities. Among those capabilities, is a slideshow with any selection of your music playing in the background.

The video CD is one of my favorite features, because you can use it in other places than your computer. You can basically burn a video CD and then put it into your DVD player so it works just like a DVD. I mean, the memory on a DVD is much more, but the memory on a CD isn't too shabby. This video CD is compatible with any DVD player, and I often find myself burning video CDs.

Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 is an exceptional CD recording program. It has more options than any other program on the market now, and you'll be extremely satisfied if you purchase it. Don't use the other software, because I have, and it was a waste of money. CD Creator 5 is a value that you can't afford to miss out on if you have a CD Burner.


Recommended: Yes