Any way to burn Dreamcast games with free software?

[newt42]

Every single burning guide I have looked up said to either use Alchohal 120% or Discjuggler, both of which cost money to get the full version. Is there any other free CD burning software that can burn in the .cdi format?

[Ziggy]

I use to burn CDIs with a free program called Boot Dreams. Lately I've been re-ripping them into BIN/CUEs and burning with IMG Burn. I've read not to do it this way, but they still self boot so I don't see a problem.

If you don't already have a virtual drive, you can download a free version Daemon Tools Lite. Mount the CDI, open IMG Burn (another free program, if you didn't know) and rip the game to BIN/CUE. Then use IMG Burn to burn the BIN/CUE to a disc and you're good!

IMG Burn is a great free program, by the way, if you didn't already know. You should try it out regardless if you wanna use it for this or not.

[Hatta]

You could look into CDIrip, which IIRC will rip the CDI into ISO/WAV/CUE which can be burned with anything. Here's the sourceforge page. The old page with binaries is gone unfortunately.

[newt42]

You guys kick ass. Thank you so much.

[Ziggy]

I would avoid ripping to ISO/audio/CUE though, the ISO format is said to be very weak, and it might break the self boot on the CDI.

Also, you might wanna check out TuxTheWise's optimized Dreamcast rips...

http://snesorama.us/board/showpost.php? ... stcount=94

His releases are MUCH better than the rest, I highly suggest downloading his releases only and avoiding all the others. In fact, I'd go as far as to say you might wanna replace any games you already have with his. They're that much better.

[newt42]

I would avoid ripping to ISO/audio/CUE though, the ISO format is said to be very weak, and it might break the self boot on the CDI.

Also, you might wanna check out TuxTheWise's optimized Dreamcast rips...

http://snesorama.us/board/showpost.php? ... stcount=94

His releases are MUCH better than the rest, I highly suggest downloading his releases only and avoiding all the others. In fact, I'd go as far as to say you might wanna replace any games you already have with his. They're that much better.

Damn... Thats awesome! I guess the only thing left is what kind of CD's I should use. I already have about 20 or so Sony made CD-R's. So far, I've been successfully using them to run PS1 games in ePSXe, along with a few Sega CD games on my Sega CD.

[Ziggy]

I've used everything from Memorex to Verbatim and don't see much difference. Though I tend to stick with the "better" brands like Verbatim, Sony, et cetera.

[newt42]

I've used everything from Memorex to Verbatim and don't see much difference. Though I tend to stick with the "better" brands like Verbatim, Sony, et cetera.

Awesome. You've been an excellent help when it comes to stuff like this. Thanks again man.

[spiritplx]

Also, you might wanna check out TuxTheWise's optimized Dreamcast rips...

http://snesorama.us/board/showpost.php? ... stcount=94

His releases are MUCH better than the rest, I highly suggest downloading his releases only and avoiding all the others. In fact, I'd go as far as to say you might wanna replace any games you already have with his. They're that much better.

I couldn't agree with this more. I won't even burn a game unless it was released by Tux.

And since no one has mentioned this yet, I guess I will go ahead and do so... The free version of DiscJuggler can burn the games just fine. It burns them at slow speeds by default, and can burn a full CD-R (so works for all the DC games).

As far as media brand, I have heard a few things, but I think Verbatim is supposed to be one of the nicer brands. I have had zero coasters so far (only burned about 15 games at this point) with zero problems, using DJ with Verbatim discs and Tux's releases.

Good luck to you, and enjoy the DC fun!

[Niode]

Just use the latest version of discjuggler to burn discs. It burns slow (in the free version) but that's for the best, slower speeds mean better compatibility. Plus it will burn those discs that show up as 800+MB in windows onto a standard CD-R. Burning CDIs with Discjuggler guarantees that the image will selfboot too.

I wouldn't bother using anything else.