Ashampoo Burning Studio is one of the most popular CD, DVD and Blu-ray disc burning or writing software that delivers all the core disc burning functionality you need in one straightforward, easy-to-use interface. Ashampoo Burning Studio 2012 can be used to create data, video, audio and multi-session CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs, in addition to perform disc copying or rip the audio, erase rewritable discs, and more. It’s compact, fast and amazingly easy to use. You just choose from a list of tasks and the software guides you through every step.
Many disc burning suites have become bulky these days, bloated with unnecessary features which you'll rarely, if ever use.This makes for a very easy-to-use tool, as everything you're likely to do can be found on a single, straightforward front-end menu: you can burn data discs, burn or rip audio CDs, copy discs, erase rewritable discs, and more.
Ashampoo Burning Studio 2012, though, aims to take a different and more "back to basics" approach, concentrating instead on the core features that you need, while ignoring the surplus extras which you really don't.
But don't assume this simplicity means Burning Studio 2012 is short on power. The program can create autostart discs, for instance; data discs which launch a particular file when they're inserted into a drive. You get capable tools to create or burn disc images (ISO, CUE/BIN and ASHDISC formats are supported). A designer module helps you to create and print disc covers, labels and booklets, and there's even a simple backup tool which will quickly archive your selected files or folders to CD, DVD or Blu-ray discs.Otherwise, though, Ashampoo Burning Studio 2012 is fast, lightweight, easy to use and surprisingly capable, with more than enough power to handle most people's data and audio burning tasks.
If the program does have a limitation, it's in creating movie discs. Burning Studio 2012 can create a video DVD or Blu-ray disc if you have a prepared folder (that is, one with all the necessary VOB, IFO and BUP files, for instance). But it can't import movie clips and create a video DVD from scratch; if you need that functionality you'll have to look elsewhere.
However, if you do need more than the program will also recommend you upgrade to Ashampoo Burning Studio 11 whenever you close it. This adds a new Compact Mode, will use multiple CPU cores for better performance, and integrates with Dropbox, Facebook, Picasa and Flickr. Click MyAshampoo > Upgrade within the program to find out more.
Please note, the default Burning Studio installation settings will install a browser toolbar and change your default home and search pages to MyAshampoo. If this doesn't suit you then choose the Custom Installation option when you're asked and clear the relevant check boxes.