Using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus 7

Creating audio CDs
Creating jukebox discs
Creating data discs
Copying a DVD or CD
Archiving files on a CD or DVD
Creating a video CD (VCD) or video DVD

This document pertains to HP and Compaq Desktop PCs with Sonic DigitalMedia Plus 7.
Sonic DigitalMedia Plus 7 allows you to create or copy audio and data discs. You can also use the software program to create an archive disc of files stored on your PC.

Figure 1: Sonic DigitalMedia Plus 7
NOTE:
This document provides basic instructions for using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus. For more detailed information, use the Sonic DigitalMedia Plus application help. To access Sonic DigitalMedia Plus help, click Help and then click Help again, or press the F1 key while in the Sonic MyDVD window.
NOTE:
HP supports the lawful use of technology and does not endorse or encourage the use of our products for purposes other than those permitted by copyright law.
Erasing rewritable discs before recording
Previously recorded files on CD-RW, DVD-RW, or DVD+RW discs must be erased before recording new files. CD-R, DVD-R, and DVD+R discs cannot be erased.
Use these steps to erase a rewritable disc:
Open Sonic DigitalMedia Plus by clicking Start, (All) Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.
Click Tools and then Erase Disc.
Insert the rewritable disc you want to erase.
Click the Quick Erase or Full Erase option, and then click the Erase Disc button.

Creating audio CDs
Sonic DigitalMedia Plus can create audio CDs that can be played in most home and car stereos. Use this section to create a CD in the typical format like you would purchase on a commercial CD. This type of CD holds 10 to 20 songs, depending on the length of the songs and capacity of the CD. Uncompressed files can be burned on CD-Rs (which play in most home and car stereos, DVD players, and computers) or CD-RWs (which play only in some stereos, DVD players, and PCs).
Follow these steps to create uncompressed audio CDs:
Open Sonic DigitalMedia Plus by clicking Start, (All) Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.
Click the Audio tab and then Audio CD.
Add music to the CD by doing one or more of the following:
Click Add Music and navigate to music stored on your PC.
In the Quick Find panel, click Scan to automatically search your PC for songs.
Insert a CD and add songs from it.

NOTE:
DigitalMedia Plus scans for all audio files, even the sounds from your operating system. If you don’t want to display some of these sounds, you can select the Options icon. In the Options window, select Audio, and then Quick Find. Select Hide Audio Files Shorter Than (in seconds), type the number of seconds, and then click OK.
Select the songs you want to record, and then click Add.
Insert a blank CD-R or CD-RW disc.
If you want to play your music CD in your home or car stereo, use a CD-R disc. CD-RW discs may not play in some stereos.
Click the Burn button when you have added all the audio files to your music CD project.
Creating jukebox discs
Sonic DigitalMedia Plus can create jukebox discs with compressed files (.mp3, .wma, or .m4a). The smaller file format enables you to fit approximately ten times as many songs onto the disc (depending on length and format). Compressed files can be burned to CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVDs, DVD-RWs, or DVD+RWs (select models only).
NOTE:
Compressed files can only be played on PCs, CD players, or DVD players that support the file format you use to create the disc (.mp3 is most commonly supported). For file format compatibility, check the documentation for the device where you intend to play the disc.
NOTE:
You may hear a slight loss of sound quality using compressed audio files.
Use these steps to create compressed (jukebox) music CDs or DVDs using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:
Open Sonic DigitalMedia Plus by clicking Start, (All) Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.
Click the Audio tab, and then Jukebox CD/DVD.
Add music to the disc by doing one or more of the following:
Click Add Music and navigate to music stored on your PC.
In the Quick Find panel, click Scan to automatically search your PC for songs.
Insert a CD and add songs from it.
NOTE:
DigitalMedia Plus scans for all audio files, even the sounds from your operating system. If you don’t want to display some of these sounds, you can select the Options icon. In the Options window, select Audio, and then Quick Find. Select Hide Audio Files Shorter Than (in seconds), type the number of seconds, and then click OK.
Select the songs you want to record, and then click Add.
Insert a blank or appendable disc.
DVD discs can store significantly more files than a CD.
Click the Burn button when you have added all the audio files to your music CD project.
Click OK.
Creating data discs

NOTE:
If you experience problems when copying files on dual-layer discs, update the Sonic DigitalMedia software from HP Customer Care. For more information, refer to HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Obtaining Software and Drivers .
To create data CDs or DVDs using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:
Open Sonic DigitalMedia Plus by clicking Start, (All) Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.
Click the Data tab, and then click Data Disc.
Add data to the disc by doing one or more of the following:
Click Add Data and navigate to files stored on your PC.
In the Quick Scan panel, select a type of file to search for, and then click Scan to automatically search your PC for the selected file type.
Insert a CD or DVD that contains the file(s) you want to add.

NOTE:
DigitalMedia Plus scans for all audio files, even the sounds from your operating system. If you don’t want to display some of these sounds, you can select the Options icon. In the Options window, select Audio, and then Quick Find. Select Hide Audio Files Shorter Than (in seconds), type the number of seconds, and then click OK.
Select the files you want to record, and then click Add.

NOTE:
You can rename your files in the file selection window by selecting and typing over the current name. This does not affect the original files on your hard disk drive.
To name your disc, highlight Volume Label, and then type a name over it.
Sonic DigitalMedia Plus assigns a name based on the recording date if you do not type a name.
Insert a blank or appendable disc.
DVD discs can store significantly more files than a CD.
Click the Burn button when you have added all the files to your data project.
Click OK.

NOTE:
You can rename your files in the file selection window by selecting and typing over the current name. This does not affect the original files on your hard disk drive.
Copying a DVD or CD
Sonic DigitalMedia Plus enables you to make copies of an existing music or data disc. The steps differ depending on the number of disc drives on your PC. Use these sections to make a copy of an existing music or data disc:
PCs with one disc drive
Open Sonic DigitalMedia Plus by clicking Start, (All) Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.
Click the Copy tab, and then click Disc Copy.
The Disc Copy window displays the same disc drive under Insert the disc you wish to copy in the drive below and Insert a blank or rewritable disc in the drive below.
Insert the CD or DVD you want to copy.
Click the Disc Copy button.
Sonic DigitalMedia Plus creates a temporary copy of the disc on the hard disk drive.
When prompted, insert a blank or rewritable DVD or CD into the drive and click OK.
Click Done when the recording is complete.
PCs with two disc drives
Open Sonic DigitalMedia Plus by clicking Start, (All) Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.
Click the Copy tab, and then click Disc Copy.
Insert the blank CD or DVD into the disc burning drive.
Insert the CD or DVD you want to copy into the other disc drive.
In the Disc Copy window, select the disc drive with the CD or DVD you wish to copy in the drop down list under Insert the disc you wish to copy in the drive below. Select the disc burning drive in the drop down list under Insert a blank or rewritable disc in the drive below.
Click the Disc Copy button.
Click Done when the recording is complete.
Archiving files on a CD or DVD
To make an archive disc of files stored on your PC using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:
Open Sonic DigitalMedia Plus by clicking Start, (All) Programs, Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.
Click the Data tab and then Easy Archive.
In the text box under Select the path containing files you wish to archive type the path to the files that you want to archive, or click Browse to navigate to the files.
Select the type of files you want to add to the archive, or select All files in the selected path.
If desired, select the Only Archive files changed since check box, and choose a date. This limits the scan to files that have been changed since that date.
Click Save, enter a name for your archive, and then click OK.
When prompted, insert a recordable disc, and then click OK.
Click the Easy Archive button.
If the files do not fit on one disc, you are prompted for additional discs.
Click Done when recording is complete.
Creating a video CD (VCD) or video DVD
Sonic DigitalMedia Plus opens the Sonic MyDVD Plus program to create video CDs and DVDS. For more information, go to HP and Compaq PCs - Using Sonic MyDVD to Create and Edit Videos .