Digitizing Optical Disks with ImgBurn

Use this workflow to create preservation copies of optical disks such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs using ImgBurn on Windows.

The ISO image is the preservation copy of the disc contents. The ImgBurn log documents the imaging process. The README records the disc ID, disc type, and label text.

TLDR

For optical disks, photograph the disc label, create an ISO image with ImgBurn, save the ImgBurn log, verify that Windows can open the ISO, eject the mounted ISO, and keep basic documentation with the image.

Minimum required package:

disc010_annual-report_2008/
|-- disc010.iso
|-- ImgBurn.log
|-- README.txt
|-- disc010-label.jpg
+-- sip-manifest.csv

Save all files for initial capture in the root disc folder. Do not create objects/, metadata/, nearline/, or online/ folders during this workflow. That organization happens later during preservation processing.

Scope

This guide is intended for:

• CD-ROM
• CD-R
• CD-RW
• DVD-ROM
• DVD-R / DVD+R
• DVD-RW / DVD+RW
• Blu-ray discs, if compatible equipment is available

Stop if the disc is damaged or unreadable

Do not repeatedly retry damaged, failing, or unreadable discs without supervisor approval. Record the error and ask staff about next steps. Keep a list of any discs that will not read, then give the list and the problem discs to Archives Admin so they can try IsoBuster or other recovery tools.

Required Files

File	Purpose
disc010.iso	Preservation image of the optical disk contents
ImgBurn.log	Technical and process metadata from ImgBurn
README.txt	Disc ID, disc type, and label text
disc010-label.jpg	Photo documentation of the physical disc
disc-files/	File-level copy of the mounted ISO contents for review and access
sip-manifest.csv	Manifest of the completed disc package

If additional labels/artwork:

disc010-sleeve-front.jpg
disc010-sleeve-back.jpg
disc010-case-front.jpg
disc010-case-back.jpg

1. Create the Disc Folder

Create a local folder for the disc using this format:

disc-id_short-title_date/

The first part is the assigned disc ID. Add a short lowercase title and a date or date range so the folder is easy to identify.

Example:

disc010_annual-report_2008/
disc002_newsletters_1997-1999/

Use the same disc ID for files created during this workflow.

Example filenames:

disc010.iso
ImgBurn.log
README.txt
disc010-label.jpg

2. Photograph the Original Disc

Document the top or label side of the optical disc. Use a flatbed scanner if one is available, or take a clear photo with a phone.

If using a phone, email the photo to yourself or transfer it to the workstation another approved way. Save the image in the matching disk folder.

Save it as:

disc010-label.jpg

Replace disc010 with the assigned disc ID for that folder.

Example label photo for documenting the physical disc.

If the disc has a sleeve, case insert, envelope, or handwritten note, photograph those too.

Suggested filenames:

disc010-sleeve-front.jpg
disc010-sleeve-back.jpg
disc010-case-front.jpg
disc010-case-back.jpg

3. Create the README File

Create:

README.txt

Use this template. For Disc type, choose the one option that matches the physical disk. Use Notes for any issues or additional information, including errors, damage, or extra context.

Disc ID:
Disc type: CD-ROM / DVD-ROM / Blu-ray / CD-R / DVD-R / unknown
Disk Label (verbatim):
Notes:

Example:

Disc ID: ua22-4_disc001
Disc type: CD-ROM
Disk Label: Library Dedication, June 5, 1965
Notes: Light scratches on label side; ImgBurn completed without errors.

4. Open ImgBurn

Open ImgBurn from FreeCommander:

Favorite Tools > ImgBurn

Choose:

Create image file from disc

Choose the ImgBurn option to create an image file from the disc.

This is the correct mode for creating an ISO from supported optical discs.

5. Select the Source Drive

Under Source, select the optical drive containing the disc.

Confirm that the correct disc appears in ImgBurn before continuing.

6. Set the Destination ISO File

Set the destination path to the disc folder.

Select the destination file button to choose where the ISO will be saved.

Example:

disc010.iso

When the ImgBurn destination file window opens, change the file type to ISO in the Windows file type drop-down. Save the ISO directly in the root disc folder.

In the Windows file type drop-down, select ISO before saving.

7. Start the Image Creation

Click the large Read button to create the ISO.

Wait for ImgBurn to finish.

If ImgBurn reports errors, warnings, unreadable sectors, or failure, stop and ask staff about next steps. Record staff-approved notes in the README.

Do not keep retrying repeatedly. Add problem discs to the unreadable-disc list and give the list and discs to Archives Admin for recovery attempts with IsoBuster or other tools.

8. Save the ImgBurn Log

Before closing ImgBurn, save the log.

Save it as:

ImgBurn.log

Save the ImgBurn log before closing the program.

The ImgBurn log is required. It documents the read process, drive, media information, timing, warnings, and errors.

9. Open the ISO in Windows

In File Explorer, double-click:

disc010.iso

Windows should mount it like a virtual disc drive.

Confirm that:

• the ISO opens successfully
• the folder and file structure appears
• the files appear to match the original disc contents

This is a basic access verification. It confirms that Windows can open the ISO and that the expected files are visible.

10. Copy Files and Folders from the ISO

After the ISO has been created and mounted successfully, copy the visible files and folders from the mounted ISO into a review folder inside the root disc folder.

Use this folder name:

disc-files

Preserve the original folder structure. Do not rename files during this copy.

11. Compare Against the Original Disc

With the original disc still inserted, compare:

• original disc contents
• mounted ISO contents
• copied disc-files contents

Check that:

• top-level folders match
• top-level files match
• obvious expected files are present
• file names look correct

Do not open or edit files unless instructed. This step is only a quick contents check.

12. Eject the Mounted ISO

After checking the ISO, eject it from Windows.

In File Explorer:

1. Go to This PC.
2. Find the mounted ISO drive.
3. Right-click it.
4. Choose Eject.

This closes the virtual disc so Windows is no longer using the ISO file.

13. Create the SIP Manifest

Create a SIP manifest after the ISO, copied files, README, log, and label image are in the disc folder.

In FreeCommander, select the disc folder, then run:

Favorite Tools > Digital Preservation Processing > 2. Create SIP Manifest

The tool scans the active directory and saves sip-manifest.csv there.

What SIP means

SIP means Submission Information Package. In digital preservation standards, a SIP is the package of files submitted by a producer or donor to a repository so it can be reviewed, documented, and prepared for preservation. In this workflow, the SIP is the initial capture package for the optical disc: the ISO preservation image, the copied disc-files contents, and the required documentation files before later reorganization or preservation packaging.

Do not create a separate SHA-256 checksum file during this workflow. The SIP manifest records file checksums for the initial capture package.

Check the active FreeCommander pane

In FreeCommander dual-pane view, the active directory is the side that was clicked most recently. Before running the SIP manifest tool, click inside the disc folder pane so the manifest is created for the correct folder.

14. Final Folder Check

Final package should contain at minimum:

disc010.iso
ImgBurn.log
README.txt
disc010-label.jpg
disc-files/
sip-manifest.csv

Stop and Escalate Conditions

Stop and ask a supervisor if any of the following happen:

• ImgBurn cannot read the disc.
• ImgBurn reports read errors or unreadable sectors.
• The disc makes unusual noise in the drive.
• The disc appears physically damaged.
• The ISO cannot be opened by Windows.
• The ISO opens but appears empty when the original disc is not empty.
• Files or folders appear obviously missing.
• Windows or ImgBurn behaves unexpectedly.

Do not repeatedly retry damaged or failing discs without supervisor approval.

Preservation Note

The ISO image is the preservation copy of the disc contents. The ImgBurn log is retained as technical and process metadata documenting how the ISO was created. The README and label photograph document the disc ID, disc type, and human-readable label information.