Burning CDs in Windows Media Player
Solve buffer underrun errors and learn additional tips for burning your CDs.
Answers refer to Windows Media Player 10, unless otherwise noted.
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How do I burn MIDI files to a CD?
You can't burn Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) files in Windows Media Player. Instead, you must use the CD Writing Wizard in Windows. Note that MIDI files can only be burned to a data CD, which places copies of the files on the CD. Most CD players will not be able to play a data CD that contains MIDI files. You may need to search the Internet to find software that will convert MIDI files to a file format that most CD players can play.
To burn files by using the CD Writing Wizard
1. | Insert a blank recordable CD (CD-R) or rewritable CD (CD-RW) in the CD drive. |
2. | Select the MIDI files on your computer, and then under File and Folder Tasks (on the left side of the Windows Explorer window), click Copy the selected items. |
3. | In the Copy Items dialog box, select the CD drive as the place where you want to copy the MIDI files, and then click the Copy button. |
4. | Click the following balloon that appears above the notification area.
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5. | In the window that opens, under CD Writing Tasks, click Write these files to CD. |
6. | Follow the instructions in the CD Writing Wizard. |
How do I burn CD TEXT?
Windows Media Player doesn't provide this capability. Although some newer CD and DVD drives support it, CD TEXT is not part of the current CD audio standard, which the Player uses to burn Audio CDs. For more information, in the Microsoft Knowledge Base, see article 297756, "Metadata Is Not Copied When You Make an Audio CD-ROM."
How do I name my burned CD?
Unfortunately, Windows Media Player doesn't provide this capability. If you want to burn a data CD or a HighMAT audio CD, you can type a name for the CD on the first page of the CD Writing Wizard in Windows, which will then be displayed instead of the CD drive name in Windows Explorer. To learn how to use the CD Writing Wizard, see the first question.
When you burn an audio CD, you can't name it using software as you can when burning a data CD or HighMAT audio CD. Instead, we recommend writing on the label side of the CD using a fine-tipped permanent-ink pen. For a more professional look, consider purchasing Microsoft Plus! CD Label Maker, which is part of the Plus! SuperPack for Windows XP.
NoteTo burn a HIGHMAT audio CD, you must install the HighMAT extension for the Microsoft Windows XP CD Writing Wizard. For more information, in the Microsoft Knowledge Base, see article 831240, "Update for HighMAT support in the Windows XP CD Writing Wizard."
How can I make sure that my songs play at the same volume after I burn them to a CD?
Downloaded songs or songs that you rip from different CDs may play at different volumes when you play them individually. The volume-leveling feature in Windows Media Player ensures that your songs will play at the same volume after you burn them to the same CD.
To turn on volume leveling
1. | In Windows Media Player, on the Tools menu, click Options. |
2. | On the Devices tab, click the drive that you use to burn your CDs, and then click the Properties button. |
3. | In the Properties dialog box that appears, click the Quality tab. |
4. | In the Volume leveling area, select the Apply volume leveling to music when it is burned check box. |
Why do I get a buffer underrun error when I try to burn my CDs?
When burning a CD, the CD burner must receive a constant flow of data from the hard disk or other device storing the files being burned. When the flow of data is interrupted, the CD continues to spin but the writing laser does not have any information to burn to the disc, and when the writing process stops, you end up with a useless CD. This error is known as a buffer underrun. An error message similar to "The CD burner is too fast for the program" may be displayed.
If you encounter this error, you may need to reduce the write speed for the burner and/or take steps to maintain a constant flow of data from the hard disk to the buffer.
To reduce the write speed for the burner
1. | In Windows Media Player, on the Tools menu, click Options. |
2. | In the Options dialog box, on the Devices tab, click the name of the CD-R or CD-RW drive you are using, and then click the Properties button. |
3. | In the Properties dialog box, on the Recording tab, select a slower write speed. |
If you continue to encounter this error after reducing the write speed to the smallest (slowest) value, do one or more of the following to help your computer maintain a constant flow of data from the hard disk to the buffer:
| • | Stop all other programs that are running. |
| • | Turn off any programs that might activate themselves while burning is in progress, such as screen savers or anti-virus programs. |
| • | Defragment your hard disk. |
| • | Make sure the hard disk doesn't use disk compression. |
| • | Make sure the disc is clean. |
| • | Try a disc from a different manufacturer. |
If all these steps fail, and you have an older computer (or older components), you may consider upgrading one or more of the following components:
| • | CD burner. Choose a CD burner that has at least a 2 megabyte (2 MB) buffer. |
| • | RAM and/or CPU. Additional RAM and/or raw processing power may be needed to maintain the constant flow of data to the buffer. |
| • | Hard disk. Older hard disks that use thermal recalibration may stop temporarily, which may cause this error. |
Why does the Player stop after burning one song?
This is typically due to a buffer underrun error. Either no error message is displayed or a message is displayed that the remaining tracks will not fit on the CD. See the previous question for more about this issue.
If you don't find the answer to your question in this column, be sure to check the Archive. Media Advice is not an official Microsoft Support channel. If you need immediate help for an urgent problem, we recommend that you visit Microsoft Help and Support.