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Posted by Jan Willem
Posted on 04/09/02 17:06
Number of views 7638
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Introduction
 


Review:
BlindWrite Suite
Version: 4.0.5.40
Reviewer: Hemispasm
Provided by: VSO-Software


Imagine this moment; you're unpacking your brand new 48x CDR drive, plugging it in and installing accompanying burning software. You are so excited … your first burner. And you have thousands of things to burn… You get out the GTA3 game you have just bought yesterday and throw it in the drive. You press that burn button … oh such an excitement!! After a few minutes the excitement turns to be mere disappointment. What a surprise, your backup doesn't work!!

Trying to get a legal backup of CDs you own nowadays is almost impossible due to the copy protections schemes these CDs implement. Additionally, the burning software that is usually shipped with most cdr drives is usually good for simple tasks such as burning text, images, video files or creating your favorite audio compilation. But when they come up against any form of protected CDs, they just can't do the job - unless you call shooting coasters out the window a good day's work. Up to now, it's been a handful of programs that could cope with protected CDs and get the job done. You can now add another performer to this short list, and that's BlindWrite.

Blindwrite and BlindRead

The BlindWrite Suite comprises a set of software tools that can be used to reproduce any CD, even protected ones. It is a product of VSO Software, which is also the developer of CopyToCD. Actually, technically speaking, BlindWrite Suite (BWS) consists of two parts; BlindRead (BR) and BlindWrite (BW). BR is used to make a perfect image of the CD you want to backup, while BW actually burns the CD image to give you a working backup.

Although BR and BW are parts of the same package, they are somewhat separate programs. That's because the image created by BR can also be used with several other programs, while BW, on the other hand, can burn images created by programs other than BR.

BR currently generates CD images of the following formats:

BlindWrite (recommended format) - 2 or 3 files will be generated:

  • BWT - The control file
  • BWI - The image file
  • BWS - The Subcode file (not created if Subcode extraction is not selected)

    CDRWIN, FIREBURNER - 2 or 3 files will be generated:

  • CUE - the control file
  • BIN - The image file
  • SUB - The Subcode file (note that Subcode handling is NOT provided in CDRWIN or FIREBURNER)

    ISO with 2352 bytes/sector - 2 files are generated

  • ISO - The image file
  • SUB - The Subcode file

    BlindWrite can burn the following formats:

  • BlindWrite(*.BWI)
  • CDRWIN, FIREBURNER (*.CUE)
  • Wave files (*.WAV)
  • ISO 9960 files

    Although BlindRead and BlindWrite are separate, potentially independent programs, for the purpose of this review they will be considered to be indispensable parts of the same program. Besides, most users will find it makes most sense to use these two together rather than separately.

    Now let's see how the installation goes on the next page
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    Reactions on this item
    Very good first review, Hemispasm. Too bad the images aren't as good as the review. :)
    I have had some probs with BW when backing up PSX games. The backups have had problems while CloneCD has produced clean results. Reader:Plex32 Writer:TDK 121032 (Plextor-made)
    Hey i use both BW and CCD, both are good! Sometimes it only forgets to unlock the drive so i have to reboot before i can use my CDrom again :)
    I have been using it for years and it is a little gem. Plus, the developers, who really treated this more like a hobby for a while have finally taken it seriously and we should expect even better things from them now.:7
    Agreed.
    I have been using this program for a long time, but for ages Clonecd has been ahead in reading/writing copy-proteted cd's I kinda forgot about it, but I often use it for heavily scratched/unrecoerable cd's.
    blindwrite kicks azz :)

    been advising it to alot of people in the last years
    and i NEVER had a complain about it afterwarths
    i'm a newbie,can i use Blindwrite or CloneCD to back up my copyprotected DVD'S I've got a DVD burner and easy CDcreator5
    Sorry for some of the pics, Photoshop ain't my thingy ;)

    Nope, you can't use neither BlinWrite nor CCD for backing up your protected DVDs Stu11, sorry :)
    These programs are for backing up protected game CDs only. If you have a DVD related question, you can always drop by the DVD forum in CDFreaks to ask ;)
    That is here
    [url]http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=32[/url]

    As far as BlinWrite is concerned, you can all post your opinions and experiences here
    [url]http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53408[/url]
    For copying DVD's, or everything in general, you should consider Alcohol 120%
    -Does both protected Cd's and DVD's
    -Has a Daemon Tools clone embedded (supporting up to 31 virtual CD's).
    - the final version, due in a few days, will also include basic premastering.
    - Multiple burners support.

    AFAIK its only cons currently is the slow read speed with a few devices (to be fixed soon), and its ugly pink color. Leavin' that aside both Clone and BW suite have a lot to envy and nothing to boast about over this one.
    How does it stand up to SecuROM/New will it make a working backup: Toshiba XM-6702B reader Writers Lite-on 40125S HP 9310i
    blindwrite is a pain in the 4ss.
    What do you think? Leave your comments!

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