Thanks to Sonic's acquisition of Roxio's software division in December 2004, the latest version of Roxio's digital media suite combines technologies from both companies, including new music, data backup, and DVD playback capabilities. The modest audio editor has also been improved and there are now wizards that make it easy to record LPs and tapes, and to convert DivX movies to DVD. The majority of the suite's components remain virtually unchanged in this latest release, but the merger of applications and technology makes Easy Media Creator 7.5 the most complete recording and management suite available today, making it exceptional value for those who want to create, manage, share and preserve their personal digital content.

Pros: Faster burning and copying; more complete digital media suite
Cons: Loose integration with Sonic applications


Easy Media Creator 7.5 has gone beyond the recording market by offering a comprehensive suite of CD and DVD authoring tools, burning, photo, video and music applications. Don't be put off by the fact that this is version 7.5 and not 8.0 either - the range of new features make it an entirely new suite. However, whilst all of the applications are accessible via the software's main interface, many still bear Sonic's logo and look (Roxio promises tighter integration in a future release).

In addition to the utilities supplied with version 7.0 - such as Roxio's PhotoSuite 7 Platinum, VideoWave 7 Professional, DVD Builder, Disc Copier, and Creator Classic - Easy Media Creator 7.5 also includes some of Sonic's easy-to-use applications. Some of these programs include BackUp MyPC Deluxe 6 for protecting and backing up data, MyDVD Slideshow for creating and playing back DVD slideshows from still photos, and CinePlayer 2 for watching DVD-Movies (can also play discs that were not created with Roxio software).

Thanks to the growing popularity of music downloads, Internet radio, and portable music players, Easy Media Creator 7.5 introduces new audio features such as an excellent LP and Tape Assistant that makes light work of converting analogue recordings to digital, an Easy Audio Capture utility that provides a quick way to record audio from Internet radio broadcasts, and an enhanced Sound Editor that now provides features for more accurate manipulation of audio files and the creation of mixes.

There's also a Disc Image Loader utility, enabling you to mount disc image files in a virtual drive as if they were discs in a physical drive, DivX-to-DVD Creator for converting DivX content to DVD for playback in regular DVD players, DVDInfo Pro for testing the performance of drives and media, as well as support for LightScribe disc labelling technology (the suite's disc and label artwork creation component also supports Media Center PC PVR files). Of course, you also get a copy of Roxio's Naspter online music store software.

One the most appreciated inclusions is Sonic's BackUp MyPC Deluxe 6, which alleviates Easy Media Creator 7's previous deficiencies in data backup. This easy-to-use application offers disaster recovery, an intuitive workflow, and support for a wide variety of hardware. It offers local and network backup, password protection, unattended scheduling capabilities, and the ability to back up 'busy' system files in use by the operating system.

1 2 »