bit-tech Shopping: Nero 7 Ultra Edition Enhanced (Full Product, PC)

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64
• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition

Rating: 10

Time with product: 6

Strengths: Overburning, software suite, ease-of-use.

Weaknesses: None.

Summary: Nero is by far the best commercial CD/DVD authoring and burning software that I have ever used. I prefer to use just Nero and not the software that comes with it as I don't have a use for them, but the Nero burner is still worth the price alone. I have had no problems at all when burning with Nero.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 1 Year

Strengths: Works most of the time. Can handle simple tasks without problems.

Weaknesses: Sometimes crashes. Borderline bloatware.

Summary: This is a decent option for your burning needs. It's by no means perfect, but it gets the job done most of the time. The problem is that you sometimes get random error messages and random crashes. The other problem is that installing this software also forces you to install a bunch of peripheral programs that don't do much. This can lead to waste of computer resources.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 5

Strengths: All in one entertainment solution, Media center "like", Vista certified

Weaknesses: Price, resource hog.

Summary: Everyone has used the OEM version of this program pre-installed on a new PC or included with DVD-burner and the full version doesn't disappoint. For those without a Windows media center PC this program will almost do the same. Nero tries to make it as user friendly as possible and i think novice users will find it easy to use. Many programs and tools to help you get the most out of all your media. Not perfect as you need a third party program to be able to back up dvds.The price is a little high but you can get it for about 20 after rebate. Try it for free before you buy at their main website.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 60 Days

Strengths: It has all that I could ever want, and more, in regards to burning CDs and DVDs.

Weaknesses: The suite itself is quite bloated and installs file monitors that slow the machine down.

Summary: This review is for the Nero 7 Ultra edition, which has everything Nero has to offer. There are other versions of Nero 7 which may or may not include all the options I mention below. Moreover, some options are available via updates from Nero's web-site. This Nero 7 Ultra edition has many bells and whistles on top of the core burning engine which in itself is of excellent quality. The bells and whistles include wave editing, blu-ray and HD DVD compatibility, and I believe compatibility with the new Sony+Panasonic codec AVCHD. The video engine for creating VCD/DVD out of home videos and other video files is adequate for home use. I was not able to create very professional looking videos with the included templates and available options. It also includes options to export videos in different formats to fit PDAs, Digital Audio/Video Players, PAL/NTSC, and anything I could think of. Similarly, it has options to export and convert audio files into a gamut of formats. Although I don't remember seeing ogg format, players and converters for it are widely and freely available. Overall, it is more than adequate for average to power user, while it falls a little short for an advanced user. I recommend it and would buy it again.

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: Excellent buring features for CD and DVD

Weaknesses: None

Summary: I have been using Nero OEM version for a long time. It beats any buring software in the market. However, too many useless features bundled in the Ultra Edition makes it pretty bulky.