Here is a list of all burn options you may encounter when using CDBurnerXP. Most of them you can find in the burn dialog which opens when you press (for example) the burn button in toolbar and then choose Let me choose advanced settings.

Burn speed

Use the drop down list to choose the burning speed, between those available. These are related to your burning device. Note that various mediums support different speeds for burning.

Override speed detection

Activate this if you want to choose another speed than CDBurnerXP detected. This for example is useful if CDBurnerXP did not detect the speeds correctly. Note that it will not add speeds higher than the detected maximum speed (since this wouldn't work anyway), but only add finer nuances between the maximum and minimum speed.

Disc-at-once (DAO) / Session-at-once (SAO)

Use SAO when you want to add files later, this option should not be used with Finalize Disc.

Use Buffer Underrun Protection

Should always be activated. Detailed information on cdrfaq.org

Simulate Burning Process

Activate this option if you want to simulate a burning process. In this case nothing is written to the CD, so you can check before if errors occur. Simulation is not possible for Blu-Ray and DVD media.

Mode 2XA instead of Mode 1

This is only available for CD/RW. Details on CD-ROM/XA - Modes and Forms.

Cache compilation before burn

All files you burn will be saved on your hard disc temporarily. This might be useful when burning files from slower device to prevent burning errors.

Shutdown Computer after completion

Once the burning process completes, the program forces a system shutdown. Make sure that you don't have any unfinished or unsaved work left.

Finalize Disc

If this is enabled, the medium will be finalized after burning process and you won't be able to add any further data to the disc (no multisession). You can only “reopen” the disc by erasing. Then of course your existing data will be deleted.

Eject disc after burn

Doesn't do anything more than it says.

Verify data after burn

If this is enabled, the data burned to the disc will be checked afterwards for errors. In case there are errors (that means that some files are corrupted) you will get a list of all occurrences.

The Audio CD burn options dialog is different. Most of the options though are as described above.

Track-at-once (TAO)/ Disc-at-once (DAO)

If you use TAO, there will be a two-second gap between all tracks. If you use DAO you get a “gapless” disc.

Cache files locally

The same as Cache compilation before burn. All files you burn will be saved on your hard disc temporarily. This might be useful when burning files from slower device to prevent burning errors.

More info in our forum and the help file.