| nero 6 is the latest incarnation of ahead software's highly acclaimed cd and dvd burning package. Installation is straightforward and once everything is loaded it's clear that nero 6 has moved forward considerably from earlier versions. For day-to-day burning duties there are nero burning rom and nero express with the latter being aimed at beginners compared to the full control afforded by the former. There isn't much new here although the user interface has been tweaked and updated and now looks nice and contemporary. the major change with nero 6 is the vast number of extra tools provided. Everything is run via a configurable start screen. nero vision express 2 is designed for movie authoring. While not as fully featured as pinnacle studio 8 it still provides all you need to get home movies edited and saved for posterity. Related to this is showtime, an excellent dvd player easily as good as other software-based ones you can buy separately. For backup duties there is backitup. Although basic, it does allow disk-spanning compression and scheduling even if the interface is a little frustrating at times. Other tools include a nice wave editor for sound files, a good cover designer for cd cases and nero mix for mp3 playing and ripping. nero 6 is a great set of tools and utilities and offers excellent value for money. Existing users will have to consider the worth of the latest extras but new users will find a rich set of applications for all their cd and dvd needs. And unlike many of its peers, nero 6 doesn't keep connecting to the internet, which is good for those who prefer more control of their privacy. --iain laskey |
