Many disc burning suites have become bulky these days, bloated with unnecessary features which you'll rarely, if ever use.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We're giving you the full version of Ashampoo Burning Studio 2012, worth $49.99, this Friday, starting at 00:00 Central European Time. The promo ends 23:59 Saturday. Download from this page and activate within the software
People still use portable physical media? shudder