Which backup program would you use?

I understand the weaknesses of windowsxp-home backup. Accordingly, I realize that I probabily have to purchase a good backup program. I have Syncback and EZbackitup installed (both free) however, everyone I speak to says it’s best to create an image of the hard disk, and then burn the image to a CD-r (or CD-rw??). (I’m not sure about cd-rw)? And that I must create a boot disk for a worse case senario? Can anyone give me some suggestions, and which program(s) would you use?