For as simple as this little tool can be it offers all the functionality you'd expect from a CD and DVD image recording app, and then some. ImgBurn was coded by the creator of DVD Decrypter after being forced to stop development by Macrovision, and is based on the same optical disc burning engine. Although it cannot circumvent copy protections like its late sibling, it offers support for burning a variety of image file formats (BIN, CUE, IMG, ISO, MDS, NRG and more) as well as the ability to create a disc image from files on your computer.
ImgBurn can also burn data or audio directly to optical media and create DVD and Blu-ray video discs. Its latest release, version 2.5, brings a number of bug fixes and feature additions - such as an 'Advanced' Build mode interface where you can now create any disc/image layout you want and rename files/folders as and when required.
ImgBurn is freeware, works on Windows and Linux (using Wine), and it also made our "Top applications to install after a fresh OS installation" list. Alternatively, if you are a Nero fan then you might be interested in a stripped-down free version of the popular burning software; just make sure to select "Install Nero without the Ask Toolbar" option during installation if you don't want it on your system.