bit-tech Shopping: Sonic Solutions Creator 2009 Ultimate

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: Easy way to turn tapes into digital (8mm, beta, VHS Hi8, audio)

Weaknesses: I've seen better video editors although these work

Summary: Overall this is a good buy if you're missing a lot of programs for media. It supports most media formats so I could edit most files within the suite. I don't have so many video tapes but I do have a lot of audio ones. I captured many music tapes and a few voice ones. The sound cleanup programs are really good and I could bring up the voices and eliminate or tone down background noise.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: Simple, compact adaptor for video/audio tape conversion with large number of programs

Weaknesses: Big space committment

Summary: The converter/software combo makes the tape conversion very very easy. I would only sway people away from it if they don't have enough juice in their pc, or if they don't have time to even check the tape after it ends. The video programs are good enough to leave the conversion alone and go back and edit. If you even have 4 hours or more it will probably pay for itself. Going to tape converter houses adds up quickly so they charge by the hour. I'd say to get this for the dvd/cd options too. Stereo sound, dual layer, dvd playback disks are included. The most stunning addition is the hd/bd disks.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Month

Strengths: Wide range of devices that it supports; wide range of editing programs

Weaknesses: Very large, be careful with old pcs as not all programs may work

Summary: I researched the differences between regular 2009 and ultimate 2009. Ultimate adds the BD plugin, video converter, original music creation. I think the difference in price was worth it. I did not think of Lps when I got it buy my dad has a huge collection. I brought my laptop over and we were able to convert a lot of songs with the enclosed device. Many were scratched so we made use of the sound fixer. I use it myself to convert video tapes. I'm satisifed with the results.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Weeks

Strengths: Spot on programs for media projects

Weaknesses: Doesn't include video/tv streaming

Summary: I strung together some cheap and free programs to take care of media projects before buying this. There were a bunch of problems in that I had to learn so many programs and many did onl one format or action. Sometimes having a lot under one roof is complicated but I found it easier to deal with any task using the suite. With so many formats built-in I can format the media any way I like. IT includes a one step posting to youtube, even from different video formats. IT can burn any disk type. The ULitmate version comes with a BD plugin and supports BD disk burning. The video converter simplifies making tapes into digital media. Good package, good results.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 5 Days

Strengths: Strong features for media, audio/video/photo/devices; video converter

Weaknesses: High resources from pc needed

Summary: I bought Creator 10 and liked it a lot. After I did all I could to organize and back up my media thanks to creator I'm ready to tackle my tapes. With the rebates I thought it was a good deal. Also it comes with a bluray plugin for a limited time. I hope they extend the time so others can take advantage of the bluray burning program. Anyway the converter is so small I almost thought it was a mistake. I've been converrting tapes for several days and the results are fine. The quality has varied mainly due to the original tape quality.