CD and DVD Recording For Dummies

by Mark L. Chambers

Overview

Most new PCs and Macs today are equipped with the latest in recording and storage equipment: CD-RW and DVD-R/RW drives. Even if your computer is a little older, you can still join the revolution with add-on hardware and software. You can record music and movies, store photos and data, and organize things you want to preserve for posterity, safely and easily.

CD and DVD Recording For Dummies(R), Second Edition, takes the frustration out of choosing and using these cool recording systems. This easy-to-follow guide will help you find what you need and use it efficiently, and it covers all the newest equipment. You'll discover how to

Choose and install a CD or DVD recorder

Pick the best software for your needs

Store large data files safely on CD

Use EasyCD and DVD Creator and Toast

Record mixed media disks

Create electronic photo albums, baby books, genealogies, and more

Once upon a time, videotape, vinyl record albums, and floppy disks were state of the art for preserving movies, music, and data. The superior durability and capacity of CDs and DVDs have made these tools as obsolete as the washboard, but never fear. CD and DVD Recording For Dummies(R), Second Edition, makes it easy to

Transfer your favorite VHS movies to DVD

Preserve those classic LPs on CD

Archive records and data files, and safely store treasured family photos

Ask the right questions when shopping for CD or DVD recording hardware and software

Record original material, copy and erase rewriteable disks, and make backups of important data

Add menus to your disks, label them, and care for them properly

Record a bootable CD-ROM

Today's CD and DVD recorders can produce everything from superb sound quality to original movies you can play on your DVD player. CD and DVD Recording For Dummies(R) will get your recording career going in a jiffy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764559563
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	03/05/2004
Series:	For Dummies Books
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Mark L. Chambers has been a computer consultant, programmer, hardware technician, tech editor, and author for over 20 years. He has written more than 15 computer books.

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Table of Contents

Introduction.

Part I: Shake Hands with Your Recorder!

Chapter 1: Optical Storage: It’s All in the Pits.

Chapter 2: Buying Your Recording Beast.

Chapter 3: DVD Is the Cat’s Meow.

Chapter 4: Poof! You’re a Computer Technician.

Part II: It’s All in the Preparation.

Chapter 5: Letting Loose the Software Elves.

Chapter 6: Fine-Tuning Can Be Fun.

Chapter 7: Getting Ready for the Ball.

Part III: Hang On — Here We Go!

Chapter 8: Taking Easy CD & DVD Creator for a Spin.

Chapter 9: A Step-by-Step Guide to . . . Toast?

Chapter 10: Using Drag-to-Disc: Avoid the Hassle!

Part IV: So, You’re Ready to Tackle Tougher Stuff?

Chapter 11: Heavy-Duty Recording.

Chapter 12: BAM! Add Menus to Your Discs!

Chapter 13: Storing Megastuff with DVD.

Chapter 14: Adding That Spiffy Touch.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 15: Ten Hardware Troubleshooting Tips.

Chapter 16: Ten Software Troubleshooting Tips.

Chapter 17: Ten Things to Avoid Like the Plague.

Chapter 18: Ten Nifty Programs You Want.

Part VI: Appendixes.

Appendix A: Recorder Hardware and Software Manufacturers.

Appendix B: Glossary.

Index.