LiteOn CD/DVD RW drive, Nero software confusion

bawldiggle · 10 Aug 2014

I have just replaced a dead internal LG CD/DVD read/write drive with a new (internal) LiteOn iHAS324 DVD/CD RW drive.

I need some help in procuring and installing decent software to ...
1. Read and play CDs/DVDs
2. Write/Burn video/audio DVDs and music/data CDs

The only software/firmware that came with the LiteOn drive was for Nero.
The Nero UI is so confusing, especially as it sees itself as THE Media centre of my PC

(Thirteen years ago I gave Nero the flick because of its complexities)

Is there any software/firmware that I can substitute ?
- I am a beginner ... today was the first time in my life I have modified a PCs hardware

I would appreciate any help ... thank you :)

jimbo45 · 10 Aug 2014

Hi there

Do you want to CREATE Audio CD's or just play them. Do you want to CREATE DVD's from video files and burn either to an .iso on hard disc or a real DVD. Do you simply want to make DATA discs.

Each of these needs a different process - so put down what you need to do and then we can answer your question better.

Perhaps a spread sheet

1) Create an Audio CD
2) Rip an audio CD
3) Play audio CD
4) Rip a DVD (get the video files into an MP4 / MKV format for playing on a smart phone / tablet.)
5) Create a DVD for playing on stand alone DVD p[layers
6) create a DVD iso on HDD.
7) create a data DVD (DVD ROM)
8) capture Video from a TV card / camera / webcam etc.

Cheers
jimbo

TVeblen · 10 Aug 2014

Most likely, when you were offered to install NERO you selected the "Recommended Installation" or the "Easy Installation". This gave the installer permission to make NERO the default media player.

Never choose the easy or recommended installation. Always choose the Custom Installation. Then you will have the option(s) to choose how the software installs and runs. You can even choose which sub-programs that come bundled with Nero you want to install. You can actually make Nero quite small and simple.

You could uninstall and reinstall if you decide to give Nero a go.

Nero's bread and butter is CD creation, use, and management. This they do very well.
In DVD and video creation, use, and management they are just one of many.
Any program that attempts to be all things to all people is going to be somewhat complex in UI.
What many folks do is use one program for CD's, another for video and DVD's.

My opinion on UI's is that once you get used to them then in most cases they make perfect sense. But it is in the "getting used to them" that is most frustrating. Especially programs that keep changing their UI (probably in response to user complaints!)

Sorry, no suggestion on a (free) alternative. I've used Nero since the beginning.