Although we mostly use USB flash disks and cloud technology nowadays to store our files and folders, we still rely on disc burners to create CDs and DVDs for external devices.
In the disc-burning category, Ashampoo Burning Studio stands out thanks to its intuitive options and user-friendly interface. It bundles various tools for creating and copying discs, building and burning images, erasing rewritable discs, and the list goes on.
The trial version has all features unlocked and lasts for 10 days. Once this period expires, the full package can be purchased for $29.99 / €21.66.
Installing the tool is simple and fast. Users should pay a little attention to the setup wizard, though. Since it is ad-supported, Ashampoo offers to download and install third-party components that are not mandatory for it to work properly.
The professional-looking interface has all main components broken down into separate categories on the left side of the main window. They can also be accessed from the File menu.
Ready files can be burned to a new disc with or without an autoplay menu, while rewritable discs can be updated with new files and folders. Item can be added to the task list using either the file browser or drag-and-drop method while navigating locations in Windows Explorer. They can be organized into new folders, removed, renamed and opened, while the entire list of files can be exported to a plain text document, which comes in handy for resuming the job at a later time without actually saving the on-going project.
After the disc label is specified, it is time to proceed to the next step where Ashampoo requires a blank CD or DVD. It is possible to select the disc drive, writing speed and number of copies, simulate the recording instead of burning to verify the writing speed, copy all data to a hard disk image first to prevent write errors, finalize the disc (as opposed to creating a multi-session disc to allow further writing jobs), verify the disc on task completion, as well as to select Disc-At-Once mode. Rewritable discs can be updated in a similar manner.
As for the autoplay screen, Ashampoo can either create an auto-starting disc without the menu and let users choose the file and icon to show, or build interactive menus with multiple pages that automatically start when the disc is inserted into the computer.
Apart from burning files to data CDs, the application also handles music via separate modules. It is able to create an audio CD (from OGG, FLAC, WMA, MP3 and WAV tracks), MP3 or WMA disc, copy music file to a disc, as well as to rip an audio CD.
As far as track settings are concerned, it is possible to normalize volume between tracks automatically, or manually by tweaking the level, remove a default 2-second gap between the files, select the bit rate for MP3 discs along with the bit rate and sample rate for WMA discs. Tracks from audio CDs can be ripped and saved to MP3, WMA or uncompressed WAV format with a custom read speed, bit rate, sample rate, quality and channel mode.
When it comes to movies, Ashampoo enables users to burn a DVD or Blu-ray video from folder, together with a VCD and SVCD (from MPEG files). The previous disc burning settings are applicable here as well.
Several disc image processing functions are available. For instance, it is possible to create a CUE/BIN, Ashampoo Disc-Image file (.ashdisc format) or ISO image in the form of a data disc (with or without advanced settings), audio CD, MP3 or WMA disc, DVD or Blu-ray video either from local files or discs. Meanwhile, existing images can be browsed and burned to disc.
A backup-and-restore feature lets users save a copy of their files and folders for safekeeping, in case the original items are lost or accidentally deleted. With the help of an Explorer-based folder structure, all files from selected directories can be added to the backup job. However, specific file types can be automatically excluded by setting up rules. Some of the default ones exclude the hibernate.sys file from all root directories, the burning engine log, along with files and folders from the System Volume Information folder. New ones can be created by selecting file formats from a very long list.
It is possible to back up files on a CD, DVD or Blu-ray disc (which is basically a typical data burning job), or convert them into an image supported by Ashampoo (.ashback format) and save it on the disk. The archive can be password-protected to prevent unauthorized users from accessing it, compressed to reduce its size, as well as split into smaller parts for storing them on various devices (automatic or predefined size).
Other tools of Ashampoo Burning Studio are able to create a modified copy of an existing disc (including bootable discs and similar to the previously discussed disc updating feature), build a data disc using advanced settings pertaining to the file system and boot mode, as well as erase rewritable discs. The last main component provides users with a designer and printer for covers to DVD cases and booklets, slim, jewel and Blu-ray cases, by applying custom images and paper format settings.
Projects can be saved to file and resumed at a later time. Regarding program configuration options, it is possible to make discs eject immediately after burning, automatically close the tray before verifying, enable extended drive enumeration and old file selection dialog, re-enable all delete confirmation dialogs, as well as modify the default location for temporary files.
The Good
The application's compatibility extends to Windows 8/8.1 (32- and 64-bit). It contains detailed help documentation and a neatly organized interface that's also pleasant to look at.
All components dedicated to disc manipulating are intuitive to work with even by beginner users, while some advanced settings are reserved for those more experienced.
Tasks are carried out pretty quickly, Burning Studio remains light on the system resources.
The Bad
Version 2014 is basically a lesser version than Ashampoo Burning Studio 14. This one does not offer support for disc encryption, custom menu templates for burning movies, slideshows, and so on However, both editions are equally priced.
The Truth
All in all, Ashampoo Burning Studio 2014 is a very intuitive disc burner that comes packed with many handy features to enhance user experience. It may not be as advanced as ImgBurn, for example, but it gets the job done.
NOTE: Softpedia and Ashampoo are giving away unlimited license keys for Ashampoo Burning Studio 2014. One key works on unlimited PCs, has a lifetime availability, and does not have an expiration date for activation. All you have to do is access this landing page. The Easter promo expires on Monday, April 21 at 15:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. PDT/PST), so make sure to claim it by then.
UPDATE
14 DAY TRIAL // 
