Nero 6 Reloaded Reviewed

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.biosmagazine.co.uk/rev.php?id=204' target='_blank'>http://www.biosmagazine.co.uk/rev.php?id=204</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Nero 6 Reloaded is the most complete all-in-one digital media solution available today. The suite includes all of the features most users demand from an authoring package - as well as a whole lot more you'll likely never use - including tools to rip audio CDs to various formats, record LPs and tapes to CDs, make a compilation of all your favourite music by mixing titles in various formats, as well as create backups, DVD-Movies and share files over a network. Its features are quite extensive, especially considering its aggressive pricing, but it's not a unified or elegant solution - utilities open in new, unfamiliar windows and have different menu structures and wizards. If you're prepared to wade through the software's menus and experiment with all of its options, Nero 6 Reloaded is outstanding value for money. If you only need to complete a few tasks daily, such as author CD/DVDs and create slideshows, Roxio's Creator 7 is much more approachable."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/nero-reloaded.jpg" /><br /><br />I've been using Nero for a while, but this review makes me wonder if I want to upgrade. I've historically tried to avoid Roxio products because of frustrating experiences with earlier versions. Any suggestions for comprehensive CD/DVD burning packages?

[Jason Kravitz]

Nothing like over engineering to kill a perfectly functional product. That's how I feel about windows media player 10 - I do not use 90% of the features at this point and just want something to play a video or mp3's in. I have not gotten used to it at all and feel overwhelmed at times when I can't find my previous playlist and instead forces me to listen to David Byrne's "Like Human's Do"...

Jason - I know you like the upgrade and perhaps I'll grow into the features I'm not using but for now I'd rather use winamp 2.

I'm using Nero 6 Ultra right now and it is ok - I agree with you though - this review doesn't make me too enthusiastic to upgrade.

[Philip Colmer]

The review does miss out on some capabilities, like being able to encode into stereo Dolby Digital.

I've been using Roxio 6 for quite some time. I've only ever really needed a fairly basic CD/DVD burning tool - none of the add-ons appeal to me as I've got more sophisticated tools to handle those requirements.

However, just lately, I've hit a snag with Roxio 6. If I use the Easy Creator tool to create a DVD of files for backup, that DVD is then only readable in my DVD write drive and not in my DVD-ROM drive. In addition, one of the discs I've made doesn't have long filenames!

I'm not inclined to upgrade to Roxio 7 - it just has more of the fluff that I don't need. Nero have a free trial download so I'm going to give that a go and see how I get on. They may just get a new customer.

--Philip

[Philip Colmer]

However, just lately, I've hit a snag with Roxio 6. If I use the Easy Creator tool to create a DVD of files for backup, that DVD is then only readable in my DVD write drive and not in my DVD-ROM drive.
Well, it looks as if Nero has come up with the answer to that particular issue ... my DVD-ROM drive doesn't support DVD+ discs :cry:. I don't know why I thought it did. Very strange.

Maybe I should just go & get that nice shiny NEC DL drive and have two DVD writer drives in my PC :lol:.

--Philip

[KC]

I suggest you check out MyDVD Studio Deluxe by Sonic Solutions. It does it all with audio rip/burn, data copy, archive, disc copy and video authoring including capture and video editing all rolled up into one program. Pretty sweet!

http://www.sonic.com/products/mydvd/deluxe/default.asp