| When did you last spend a weekend taping | | | | perfect solution for anyone sharing |
| music for a special occasion or your daily | | | | application CDs with members of the family or |
| commute? | | | | taking discs from place to place. |
| | | | |
| Chances are you haven't done this since the | | | | A CD emulator converts an application disc |
| turn of the century, because you've been | | | | into a "virtual CD," or a file that you store |
| using MP3s. | | | | on a laptop computer or a USB device and play |
| | | | just like a physical CD. There's no need to |
| With their play lists, search functions, and | | | | load the physical disc -- simply click on |
| high-quality portable music, MP3 players are | | | | desktop icon to launch a favorite |
| the superior technology. Few of us wax | | | | application. If you're so inclined, you can |
| nostalgic for the days of muffled audio | | | | have several virtual CDs running |
| tapes, which offered limited play time, took | | | | simultaneously. |
| up space, and wore out quickly. | | | | |
| | | | Although it emulates, or "acts like" a |
| For mobile music lovers, the times have never | | | | physical CD, a virtual CD operates directly |
| been better. But video gamers and parents of | | | | on the hard drive, improving playback times |
| small children, still dealing with the | | | | by up to 200% and eliminating wear and tear |
| physical media of application CDs and DVDs, | | | | on the CD-ROM drive. It can be shared over a |
| may struggle to manage the ever-expanding | | | | network, customized to contain multi-disc |
| disc collections they share with other | | | | sets and expansion packs, and organized with |
| people. | | | | other virtual CDs in a searchable library. |
| | | | |
| More often than not, shared discs are treated | | | | CHOOSING THE RIGHT CD EMULATOR |
| badly. Left out their cases and exposed to | | | | |
| kids and pets, game and application CDs are | | | | Most commercial CD emulators cost between $30 |
| soon turned into expensive coasters, damaged | | | | and $60 -- a bargain compared to many game |
| beyond all other usefulness. Traveling with | | | | titles, and a sound investment if you're able |
| disc collections can create all kinds of | | | | to spare just a few of your application discs |
| logistical nightmares -- for instance, volume | | | | from abuse. But while nearly all CD emulators |
| 4 of an educational set may simply disappear | | | | have certain basic features in common, not |
| when the family goes on vacation. | | | | all offer the same usability and disc |
| | | | support. |
| MP3-LIKE CONVENIENCE FOR DISC-BASED | | | | |
| APPLICATIONS | | | | If you're interested in purchasing an |
| | | | emulator, you might want to download some |
| A CD/DVD emulator brings MP3-like ease use | | | | evaluation software first to determine which |
| and portability to video games, CD-ROM clip | | | | product works best with the discs in you |
| art collections, educational software, and | | | | collection, and decide which brand gives you |
| other disc-based applications. It's the | | | | the best value for your money. |