Requirements

This is the area that I have found most encounter issues with.  It is important to note all requirements in order to get you on your way to burning your LightScribe Labels. 

1. The first requirement is obvious.  You must have a LightScribe-enabled DVD Writer.  There are a number of manufacturers making such drives.  I have mentioned mostly all in the previous page. 

2. Label-making Software that supports LightScribe.  There are a few options for you in this area.  Nero, for one, does support LightScribe labeling via their cover designer.  However, there are other options as well, some which are much better.  Surething CD/DVD Labeler offers full support for all LightScribe drives and is the best option out there.  For those who purchased an OEM drive that did not come with software, and don't want to spend the extra money, there is a very basic free labeling application that can be downloaded from the official LightScribe Website.

3. The third and most important, is the LightScribe System Drivers.  This is what most forget is needed and fail to install.  You must have the LightScribe API Control Software properly installed in order to take advantage of this feature and have any of the software applications mentioned above recognize the media. 

Software

Now that we know all the requirements, let's take a more detailed look at the software options available...

1. Nero Burning ROM

The very best burning suite out there does fully supports LightScribe drives and media.  However, their Cover Design software, even after several years in the making, still needs quite a bit of work.  It is simply not the best option out their for LightScribe.  I personally think the company should eventually dedicate a bit more resources in the development of this application.  They should seriously focus on improving it.

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As with most of the applications covered here, you have the option of choosing between the three modes that LightScribe generally is based on.  (More on that in the next section). 

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As I have stated in many of my drive reviews, I'm not quite fond of their Cover Design software.  It is far from user-friendly and difficult to work with LightScribe unless you use the free-form option.  Unfortunately, this means that it will take substantially more time to burn your label, regardless of how big or small it may be. 

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Like all other applications, you have the option of choosing the print quality prior to burning your label.  There is a "preview" option available, however it continues to be quite buggy and seems to have a mind of its own.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  I've found that it mainly depends on the drive being used. 

2. Surething CD/DVD Labeler

Surething makes what I personally think is the best labeling program on the market.  Their software not only offers full support for LightScribe, but offers support for just about every other label stock option out there.  Their software is user-friendly and sports a very intuitive user interface.

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Once you have properly installed the LightScribe drivers, a LightScribe Label stock option will be present.

Surething CD/DVD Labeler comes with many great LightScribe label designs pre-installed.  On top of that, there is a high level of customizing and you can deviate from the standard three print modes LightScribe is designed to follow. 

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The software sports an excellent GUI that is user-friendly, making it an ideal choice for novice users as well.  However, advanced users can take advantage of many other options designed to help you design a highly custom label, without limitations.

3. LightScribe Simple Labeler

For those not looking to invest the time needed to print fancier labels, the official LightScribe Website, operated and maintained by HP, does offer a simple labeling application that is completely free.  I would like to emphasize on the term "simple".  This application comes pre-loaded with some Title Mode designs.  You cannot print Content mode or Full mode labels.  It is either one of these pre-loaded designs or none at all.  There's some basic fields to enter your label titles and select the desired font.  It reads off all fonts installed on your system.  You can set the number of copies and see a preview prior to printing.

Next: Performance