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.

Pros: Comprehensive digital video support; improved audio encoding
Cons: Overwhelming and frustrating interface; no MP3 encoder


Nero, a favoured CD/DVD authoring tool amongst experienced users, has been updated and is one of the most complete all-in-one digital media authoring solutions. Nero 6 Reloaded, like its predecessors, combines a suite of applications into a 'single' interface. From the home page, or Nero StartSmart, you select the desired category of operation you want (such a rip an audio CD or create a slideshow) and the software then launches the relevant utility, much like Roxio's more expensive Creator 7 (£49.99 ex. VAT) - but nowhere near as elegant.

The suite consists of three main utilities, all of which have received welcome upgrades. For instance, Nero Burning ROM now offers verification after recording for all combination types, there's a compilation size status bar, and there's now a manual setting for DVD media. NeroVision Express 3 now supports importing and editing of DVD-VR files on DVD-RW/DVD-RAMs, content can be imported from DVD+VRs, DVD-VRs, DVD-Videos, S-VCDs and VCDs, capturing and encoding has been improved, and you can now create DVD-Video, S-VCD and VCDs from inside your own applications.

Nero Burning ROM is the main part of the software and lets you burn data, music files or videos onto CD or DVD. Nero Express 6 is essentially a cut-down version of Nero Burning ROM designed for inexperience users, while NeroVision Express lets you record videos and edit or burn existing videos onto CD or DVD. You can also use NeroVision Express to create photo slideshows with soundtracks.

Nero Recoder is a new program for copying and archiving non-copy protected DVDs on DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW or DVD-RAM discs, Nero Wave Editor is used for editing and recording audio files with optimisation tools, whereas Nero SoundTrax is a more high-end program for producing audio CDs. Nero Cover Designer is used to create and design individual CD/DVD covers and labels, Nero Media Player is a rather naff player for playing back audio files (including MP3, WAV and ACC), Nero Showtime lets you view DVD-Movies, and Nero PhotoSnap lets you make basic alterations to still images. Finally, InCD is a packet writing program that lets you use your optical drive like a hard disk, Nero ImageDrive sets up a virtual drive, and Nero BackitUp is an easy-to-use but relatively limited backup tool for single PCs.

Nero 6 Reloaded contains a wealth of features and functionality, most of which will likely never be used. Both Nero Burning ROM 6 and Nero Express 6 now have support for ISO 9660:1999 for multi-system compatibility, automatic media size detect, increased verification options, and short lead out recording that can give an additional 12MB of valuable data space. The software now also supports the import and editing of DVD-VR files on DVD-RW/DVD-RAM media, and accepts content directly from DVD+VR, DVD-VR, DVD-Video, SVCD and VCD discs. NeroVision Express 3 sports improved smart encoding for audio and video, which results in quicker processing of media.

Nero Recode 2.1 now supports direct file encoding to Nero Digital (MPEG-4) and adds new profiles for handheld devices and High-Definition TV (HDTV). Additionally, two subtitles and two audio tracks, as well as chapter creation, are now supported. Nero ShowTime 2 DVD/Media player now includes MPEG-4 H264/AVC decoding in readiness for future DVD and TV content delivery and also includes the integration of Nero MediaHome, a new addition to the suite. Nero MediaHome addresses the needs of the home network user, allowing files to be shared across a LAN for full playback and control within Nero ShowTime to the media home server.

The product's SmartCentre promises to make it easier to access the programs features and frequenty-used tasks, but we found the non-resizable window exceedingly frustrating, especially as you have to scroll through multiple menus to find all of the program's features. Roxio's Creator 7 offers a much cleaner, simpler interface that does well to hide its relatively extensive features. Nero 6 Reloaded, on the other, throws everything it's got at you from the outset, which proves very confusing and intimidating.

Thankfully, you can bypass the SmartCentre and open the main applications directly from the Windows' Program menu. Another problem was that the retail version of the software we tested had bugs - thankfully these were resolved with a free 28MB megabyte patch that was downloaded using the software's built-in automatic update utility. The main problem we encountered was that the program closed every time we tried to create a data or audio disc. Those looking to rip more than 30 MP3 or MP3Pro tracks should also note that the software doesn't include and MP3 encoder, so you'll either have to further budget for a commercially available plug-in or use another program, such as Microsoft's excellent Windows Media Player 10.

BIOS, Nov 12, 04 | Print | Send | Comments (0) | Posted In Utilities