Python Backup Tool

Python script that helps to burn files to multiple CD/DVD/BR files formats

Purpose and reason

I archive large amounts of data on DVDs and BRs. I use various tools to split the data onto separate discs, and none of them are perfect.

I do not want to use tools such as RAR, ZIP or to create ISO disk images because it causes unnecessary data processing, I want to use project files of CD/DVD/BR authoring programs.

In the past I used a simple script that I wrote years ago in php, which divided data according to a set size limit (e.g. 4GB) and created K3B program files from them (these were relatively simple XML). However, the sad reality forced me to switch to Windows...

My goal

I want to write a similar script in python that will split my data into project files and allow me to record them on Windows.

Comparison of different programs and their file types for Windows

I am currently testing various CD/DVD/BR burning files on this system - unfortunately K3B does not work on this system - and unfortunately I still cannot find a suitable alternative.

Free

BurnAware Free

Advantages:

• project is active, commercial version available and not overpriced
• file format is based on XML: burnaware_free.bafl

ImgBurn

Advantages:

• file format looks simple: imgburn_test_1.ibb

Disadvantages

• project seems to be abandoned (2.5.8.0 was release in June on 2013)

CdburnerXP

Advantages:

• it has command line version called cdbxpcmd.exe
• file format is based on XML: cdburnderxp.dxp

Disadvantages

• project seems to be abandoned (last version is 4.5.8.7128 and according to wikipedia it was published in November 2019)

Commercial

As far as I know, none of the free programs for Windows allow you to split data onto multiple discs the way I would expect. Of all the commercial products, I had the opportunity to try two:

Ashampoo Burning Studio 25

Advantages:

• the license is probably the cheapest
• it allows you to split data onto discs but it doesn't work perfectly

Disadvantages:

• it mixes files between discs instead of splitting them alphabetically which makes it difficult to find a file on a disc
• if something goes wrong during recording it is difficult to resume the process (I had this happen when recording the seventh CD out of ten)
• the file is saved in binary format, I tried to understand its structure, but it's probably a waste of time and it would be better to write something for CyberLink or another program:

Cyberlink Power2GO 8

Advantages:

• it's was added to my BR recorded
• file format is based on XML

Disadvantages:

• version i've got is bit old (2015)
• it does not support splitting data between disks by default
• UI does not support HDPI!