ImgBurn 2 Review

very good
key review info
application features
  • Read, build and write image files
  • (5 more, see all...)

Although flash drives and, later, cloud technology have replaced most of our data storage needs due to simplicity, portability and general comfort, some of us still rely on CDs and DVDs, particularly for playback on media devices with limited capabilities.

To make a long story short, disc authoring tools are still important, whether we want to create an audio CD for road trips, or burn a home video to enjoy with our close ones on a DVD player. ImgBurn is such a program.

Apart from the core files, icons and shortcuts, the full kit can reset settings to default (if ImgBurn already exists), install for all users or just the current one, as well as enable SPTI access in remote sessions. Selected items can be excluded from the setup.

Since it is ad-supported, ImgBurn offers to download and install third-party apps that it does not really need to work properly. Toward the end of the installer, the tool also offers to periodically check for updates online.

From the interface's perspective, the tool opts for a plain look, preferring to focus on the technical nature instead. It is made from two separate windows for performing actions and viewing log details respectively (the latter can be closed). A small drop zone may be shown on the screen, which basically lets users conveniently drag files and folders for processing while navigating the hard disk contents.

The app is able to read disc content, compile it into BIN, IMG, ISO or WAV images at a user-defined reading speed, and save it to disk. It can add the image to the write queue, as well as exit, eject the tray, or schedule the computer to power off on task completion. Enabling batch mode prompts the user for a new disc when the previous one has been copied.
In a similar manner, ISO, IMG, ISO and MINISO images can be built from any files and folders, and saved to any location on disk. It is possible to select the data type and file system, preserve full path names, add directories recursively, include hidden, system and archive files, clear archive attributes, as well as to add the image to the write queue when done.
Meanwhile, automatic calculations can be performed to find out the total number of files and folders, file size and sectors, image size and sectors, minimum required media, and free space. The volume label, identifiers and dates are prone to modifications.

Multiple single and double layer profiles are supported, along with manual configuration in terms of maximum sectors (single), minimum/maximum sectors in L0 and media capacity (double). Other advanced settings focus on ISO9660, Joliet and UDF restrictions (e.g. file/folder name length, character set, Unicode support) and whether the image will be made bootable or not (e.g. emulation type, sectors to load).

The disc writing component handles a wide range of image formats, including APE, BIN, CDI, CUE, DVD, FLAC, IMG, ISO, MDS, NRG and UDI. Aside from setting the writing speed, number of copies and verification mode, ImgBurn may run a simulation instead of actually burning a disc in order to test it for any errors, view total time, and so on. Advanced options and book types can be established according to the drive type: BenQ, LITE-ON, Pioneer, Plextor, or Samsung, while automatic writing speeds can be set up.

A separate module is designed to verify whether a disc is fully readable or not. It can also be tested against an image file at a preferred reading speed to check data integrity.

Last but not least, the discovery feature allows users to test their media devices by writing dummy data on all sectors or just selected few, at a user-defined writing speed. Similar to the burning feature, this component can optionally verify data and run in test mode. The quality of the drive burns may be tested using external apps like BurnPlot, DVDInfoPro or Opti Drive Control for generating graphs.

Program activity recorded in the log window can be printed or saved to LOG format for closer inspection and comparing statistics. Plus, all displayed or selected events can be immediately counted.

Rewritable discs are erasable in quick or full mode (depending on whether they have been previously formatted or not) or via SmartErase, a feature that rewrites the disk with random meaningless characters to ensure that specialized tools cannot retrieve the original data. Other functions of ImgBurn let users change the drive's regional code, display the family tree of a device, check for disc firmware updates, create CUE files to compile audio CDs, DVDs and MDS files, and more.

Numerous program settings can be modified, starting with minimizing ImgBurn to the system tray, preventing the screen saver from running, synchronizing the build, write and discovery options, and setting a default shutdown actions (e.g. log off, restart, none). Display warnings may be disabled for overburning, protected discs, seamless layer break and others, while files can be split when building images.

It is also possible to disable sound alerts, schedule automatic events at startup when it comes to the program mode, build input and output method, make file associations, customize context menu entries in Windows Explorer, as well as set default locations for images, graphs, language files and the rest. Settings can be restored to default.

The Good

ImgBurn is compatible with Windows 8/8.1 (32 and 64 bit), includes thorough help documentation online, and features multiple UI languages. It has minimal impact on system performance during a job, records all data to logs, and sports a long list of advanced options for experienced users.

It allows users to create bootable discs, erase rewritable ones, plot graphs, and view program activity. Experienced users have the pleasure of customizing most aspects of ImgBurn's behavior.

There is also a portable counterpart available for those who want to bypass the installer and run the app directly from a pen drive, called Portable ImgBurn.

The Bad

Casual users will most likely have a hard time using ImgBurn. Its interface is not necessarily intuitive.

The Truth

Considering that it is freeware, ImgBurn comfortably gains a top position among disc authoring applications, thanks to rich configuration settings and great performance, although it mostly targets power users.

user interface 4
features 5
ease of use 3
pricing / value 5


final rating 4
Editor's review
very good
 
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