Ripping Data CDs Semi-Automatically

March 18, 2023

I recently was given 200+ compact discs (CDs) to digitize. There are services which do this for between $1.15 and $2 per disc which I find unacceptably expensive so I resolved to learn how to do it myself.

I was surprised by my difficulty in finding online instructions on the process but eventually found I was able to accomplish the task with the following tools:

• A USB CD reader - in my case Dell USB DVD Drive-DW316
• ImgBurn to rip files from the reader
• IZArc to inspect the generated bin or cue files

Setup

• Install ImgBurn
• Open Tools > Settings…
• Under the Read tab:
  • On Page 1, set your Default Destination to where you want the files to go
  • On Page 2:
    • Check “Insert Next Disc - Auto ‘OK’” and adjust slider to 1 second
    • Check “Replace File - Auto ‘Rename’” and adjust slider to 1 second

Ripping

• Insert a disc into the drive and select “Create image file from disc”
• Once the drive ejects, repeat until you have processed all the discs

I recommend backing up the files before destroying or recycling the discs to minimize chances of data loss.