Downloading music to a CD for use in a car or personal CD player requires only a few easy steps and is well within the abilities of almost any computer user.  Most users already own the components necessary to burn a CD with music downloaded from any number of Internet web sites, and even if the user does not have the software already installed a great variety of free programs exist to allow anyone to burn a CD in just seconds.

What Equipment Is Needed To Download Music To A CD?

The basic computer components needed to burn a music CD consist of a CD burner or DVD/CD burner combo drive, an Internet connection, and a CD burning program.  Most computers purchased within the last five years will have all of these already included with the system be it Windows XP, Vista, Macintosh, or even Linux.  The only piece of the puzzle that is not often included are the blank CD's themselves.  Most users can get by with almost any type of burnable CD , however some older CD players will have difficulty playing certain types of discs.

What Software Should Be Used To Burn The CD?

Windows XP, Vista, Macintosh, and Linux computers all come with the built in ability to create a CD from downloaded music files. Chances are good that most users will use either iTunes or Windows Media Player as their music playing application.  Each of these products has the built in capability to burn downloaded music to CD.  Simply use iTunes or Windows Media Player to create a playlist of the songs you want on the CD.  Once you have the playlist created in iTunes click the Burn Disc button in the lower right corner.  In Windows Media Player click the Burn tab in the top right corner.

For users that are not comfortable with these programs or who want a bit more control over what and how CD's are burned software such as Nero and Roxio CD Creator are excellent commercial choices.  Each of these products can be downloaded and installed via the Internet.  Depending on what service is used to purchase and download music from the Internet, additional options may be available.  Various music players from companies such as Rhapsody and Napster provide the ability to burn CD's as well.

People that want to download music to a CD rather than to their computer have many options with which to do so.  The convenient fact that most of these options are already provided free of charge is icing on the cake.