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Disc Creator 4 Review — Is It Worth Upgrading?

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System requirements and preparation

Before starting, make sure your computer and media are ready:

  • Operating system: Windows 10 or later (check the app’s latest compatibility notes).
  • Hardware: A functional CD/DVD/Blu-ray burner and blank discs compatible with the burner (CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, BD-R, etc.).
  • Storage: Enough free disk space for temporary files — a full video DVD or Blu-ray project may need several GB.
  • Backups: Keep original files backed up; burning writes are often permanent on write-once discs.
  • Software: Install Disc Creator 4 and any optional codecs/plugins the software recommends for video/audio formats.

Interface overview

Disc Creator 4 typically organizes tools into these main modules (names may vary slightly in the UI):

  • Project Explorer / Workspace — add files and folders for the current disc project.
  • Burn Settings — choose disc type, burn speed, verification, multisession, and finalization.
  • Copy / Disc-to-Disc — copy an inserted disc to another blank disc or to an ISO image.
  • Label & Cover Designer — create printable covers, inlays, and disc labels.
  • Menu & Video Authoring — for DVD-Video projects: create menus, chapters, and navigation.
  • Tools — utilities for creating ISO images, erasing rewritable discs, and checking disc integrity.

Part 1 — Burning a Data Disc

  1. Start a new Data Disc project in Disc Creator 4.
  2. Add files and folders:
    • Drag-and-drop from File Explorer or use the Add Files/Add Folder buttons.
    • Check total size vs. disc capacity (e.g., CD ≈ 700 MB; DVD ≈ 4.7 GB; Dual-layer DVD ≈ 8.5 GB; BD ≈ 25 GB).
  3. File system selection:
    • Use ISO9660 for maximum compatibility with older systems (limits file name length).
    • Use UDF (or UDF+Joliet) for long file names and large files; choose version appropriate for devices that will read the disc.
  4. Burn settings:
    • Choose burn speed — lower speeds reduce risk of write errors on marginal media; choose the highest stable speed recommended by the disc/burner.
    • Enable Verify written data to compare disc contents with source after burning.
    • Decide on Finalization: finalize to prevent future sessions; leave open for multisession discs if you want to add files later.
  5. Start burn: click Burn, monitor progress, and wait for verification to finish.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality media from reputable brands for important data.
  • If burning large files (e.g., system images), consider making an ISO image first, then burn.

Part 2 — Burning an Audio CD

  1. Create a new Audio CD project. Disc Creator 4 will typically convert common audio file formats (MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC) to CD audio format (16-bit, 44.1 kHz PCM).
  2. Add tracks and arrange order:
    • Drag files into the track list.
    • Use built-in fade-in/out, gap adjustment (0–2 seconds), and crossfade if available.
  3. Normalize and convert:
    • Optionally enable Normalization to even out track volumes.
    • Confirm sample rate and bit depth conversions if required.
  4. CD Text and Track Names:
    • Add CD-TEXT metadata if supported so compatible players show track and artist names.
  5. Burn settings:
    • Prefer lower burn speeds for audio CDs if experiencing playback errors.
    • Enable verify if available.
  6. Burn and test playback in a CD player or car stereo.

Note: Audio CDs have strict format requirements; for long playlists consider creating MP3 data discs for devices that support MP3 playback.

Part 3 — Creating a DVD-Video

  1. Start a DVD-Video project (not a simple data disc).
  2. Add video files:
    • Supported formats vary; Disc Creator 4 may accept MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV, MPEG, etc., and will transcode to MPEG-2 if needed.
    • Check total runtime vs. disc capacity (single-layer DVD ≈ 120–140 minutes depending on bitrate).
  3. Menu authoring:
    • Use templates or custom backgrounds.
    • Add buttons: Play, Scene Selection, Extras.
    • Create chapters (manually or auto-detect at intervals).
  4. Video encoding settings:
    • Choose quality vs. size: higher bitrate = better quality but less total runtime.
    • If offered, use two-pass encoding for better quality at a fixed bitrate.
  5. Subtitle and audio track support:
    • Add subtitles, multiple audio tracks (e.g., stereo, 5.1), and language options.
  6. Preview the authored DVD in the preview pane to test navigation and chapter points.
  7. Burn with finalization enabled (DVD players require finalized discs to play).

Tips:

  • If you need higher-quality video or long runtimes, consider Blu-ray for HD content.
  • Test the disc on multiple players if distributing to others.

Part 4 — Copying a Disc

Disc Creator 4 typically supports direct disc-to-disc copies, as well as ripping to an ISO or folder first.

  1. Disc-to-disc copy:
    • Insert source disc. Use Copy function → select source drive.
    • Choose destination drive (or create an ISO if only one physical writer is available).
    • For protected commercial discs: copying may be blocked by copyright protection; Disc Creator 4 may not bypass these protections.
    • Enable verify after copy.
  2. Create ISO:
    • Rip source disc to an ISO file or disc image first. This is safer if you have one burner.
    • Burn ISO to new blank disc when ready.
  3. Erase rewritable discs:
    • Use the Erase/Format tool for CD-RW/DVD-RW before copying.

Tips:

  • For exact copies, choose “Bit-for-bit” or “Exact copy” if available; otherwise, select the mode matching the disc type (audio vs. data vs. video).
  • Check destination disc format compatibility when copying between DVD+ and DVD- media.

Part 5 — Customizing Labels, Covers, and Menus

  1. Label & Cover Designer:
    • Use built-in templates for CD inlay, DVD cover, and Blu-ray sleeves.
    • Import images, add text fields, barcodes, and track lists.
    • Use RGB images at 300 dpi for best print results; set dimensions to match printable media.
  2. Printable disc labels:
    • Choose center-hole size (printer templates differ for hub printable discs).
    • Fit designs within safe printing margins to avoid ink on non-printable sections.
  3. Menu customization:
    • Use background images or video loops.
    • Customize button styles, fonts, and highlight effects.
  4. Templates and batch printing:
    • Save templates for series releases or consistent branding.
    • Use batch print/export to generate multiple labels or PDF proofs.

Part 6 — Advanced settings and troubleshooting

Burning reliability:

  • If burns fail frequently:
    • Lower the burn speed by one or two steps.
    • Update burner firmware and Disc Creator 4 to latest versions.
    • Try different media brands and batches.
    • Clean the drive lens with a lens-cleaning disc.
  • If verification fails:
    • Try burning at a slower speed or on another recorder.
    • Create an ISO image and then burn it — some problems occur during live burning.

File compatibility:

  • For stubborn video formats, first convert to a standard container/codec (e.g., MP4/H.264) before importing. Tools like HandBrake can help.
  • For audio, prefer WAV for raw burning to audio CD or high-bitrate MP3 for MP3 data discs.

Copy protections and legality:

  • Copying commercial discs with DRM or encryption may be illegal in your jurisdiction; Disc Creator 4 will generally not bypass robust protections. Only copy discs you own and where local law allows.

Part 7 — Best practices and workflows

  • For archives: create an ISO image and store it alongside a checksum (MD5/SHA256) to verify integrity later.
  • For distribution: finalize mastered discs and test on multiple players/platforms. Include an autorun/information file on data discs for user convenience.
  • For media projects: keep original project files (menus, covers, chapters) so you can regenerate discs or update designs later.

Quick checklist before burning or copying

  • Confirm media type and capacity.
  • Verify source files play correctly.
  • Choose correct project type (Data, Audio, DVD-Video, Blu-ray).
  • Set burn speed and verification options.
  • Finalize discs if not adding sessions later.
  • Test a single disc before mass production.

Disc Creator 4 combines straightforward burning tasks with richer authoring and design tools. Following the steps above will help you produce reliable data backups, playable audio CDs, polished DVD-Video discs, accurate copies, and attractive labels and menus.

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