Roxio's Easy CD DVD Creator 6
Since it's last release, Roxio has been working on a better suite of CD and DVD burning utilities to compete with Nero and other CD burning software companies. Easy CD Creator 5.0 is bundled with a lot of CD-RW drives and what makes this software shine is its easy of use. You don't really need an extensive computer background to just simply burn one CD. The 6.0 version continues this tradition and extends this ease of use to making DVDs. 6.0 also is fully compatible with Windows XP unlike version 5.0 Platinum where there were issues and required patching. Version 6.0 just works out of the box.
The first thing you notice with Easy CD DVD Creator 6 is the new interface:
Compared to the 5.0 version, 6.0 is more sleek and provides a logical interface. All the applications are accessible through this menu rather than subcategorized in 5.0.
Disc Copier
To
start off, the Disc Copier utility works like 5.0. Besides the interface
change, there's nothing new about this utility. Don't expect CloneCD or
Alcohol 120% capabilities in this software, but it's a simple program if you
just want to copy your own discs.
AudioCentral
AudioCentral
is the next application that Roxio bundles with this software.
AudioCentral allows you to "Rip, burn and mix" audio CDs. This tool will
also allow you to manage your playlists, audio files and even edit the sound
files. AudioCentral supports 4 external types of files: MP3, Wave, Ogg and
Windows Media Audio. It does not support Real Audio files.
DVD Builder
New
to Roxio's suite is the DVD Builder which allows you to create Video CDs (VCDs
and SuperVCDs) and DVDs. DVD Builder has a simple and slick interface and
allows you to build a video disc in a matter of seconds. You can
import from a video source, firewire or an existing media file. DVD
Builder will check the media quality and suggest the type of format (VCD,
SuperVCD or DVD) you should create. This tool is not a full fledged video
editing tool, but will allow you to add audio tracks, transitions and trim
video. DVD Builder comes with a set of menus and allows you to customize
the menus to your needs.
PhotoSuite
PhotoSuite
as the name suggest is the Photo application of this package. This tool
has a refined interface with simplicity in mind. You won't be bombarded
with a variety of features, but does come with just enough tools to allow you to
capture, edit and distribute your photos. PhotoSuite has a wizard like
interface, where each process is in steps. This tool is not intended for
professionals but more for your every day user who might edit a photo once in a
while. PhotoSuite can also act as a photo manager and allow you to
organize the photos the way you want.
Creator Classic
Creator
Classic is the burning software tool that pretty much everyone is familiar with.
The interface has a minor tweak such as the relocation of some items but
essentially remains the same from the 5.0 version. Adding data to an
existing session is less obvious than before. Creator Classic will now
automatically ask you if you want to add additional data if there is an existing
session (the "Import Session" from 5.0 is missing from the menu) - took me
about ten minutes to find this out through the Roxio manual.
Drag-to-Disc
Roxio
has renamed the DirectCD tool to Drag-to-Disc. Drag-to-disc is fully
compatible with DirectCD discs and works similarily to the tool. While I'm
not a big fan of DirectCD due to compatibility issues with machines without
DirectCD or an UDF reader, Drag-to-Disc works perfectly with its new interface -
just simply drag the files you want to back up and it is stored on CD. If
you are not using Drag-to-Disc, you will have to disable this tool through "msconfig"
or else it will load every time you start Windows.
Label Creator
The
final tool that Roxio bundles is Label Creator. With this tool, you will
be able to create a CD/DVD label and and inserts. Label Creator has not
completely changed from the 5.0 version but simply a minor interface tweak.
Conclusion
With Easy CD DVD Creator 6, Roxio has provided every multimedia tool that you
may need. Audio, Video and photos can be easily imported, edited and
achieved either through a CD or DVD. Easy CD Creator 6 has a new brushed
metal look that allows beginners to create and burn CD and DVDs like a
professional. There are two issues with this software package, the first
being the lack of more menu themes in the DVD builder tool and the missing
"Import Sessions" menu item in Creator Classic. However, this isn't a
major issue and you'll probably get use to it. While it's known that the
Easy CD Creator series might not support all the CD drives available in the
market, check with the Roxio website first before purchasing this software as
you CD or DVD burner might not be supported. Is it worth $95 CDN? It
sure is with all these multimedia software tools.
Roxio Easy CD DVD Creator 6
Price: $95 CDN
Published by Roxio
www.roxio.com
Rating: 9.5/10
March 11, 2003