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I just got a Plextor PX-708A DVD burner. It came bundled with:

-Roxio Easy CD and DVD Creator 6
-PhotoSuite 5 SE
-Roxio DVDMax Player
-Dantz Retrospect backup and restore solution

I'm brand new at all of this but, initially, I want to transfer some analog VHS and 8mm tapes to DVD and then go from there (not sure where but I'd like to explore about everything the Plextor and the software will let me do). Anyway, I've read some good reviews about EMC 7 and Roxio has a deal going with Plextor where I can upgrade to EMC 7 for $69.95 for the download version or ~$75 for the boxed version.

1. What are the differences between what came bundled with the Plextor and EMC 7 (I honestly don't know) and is it worth upgrading?

2. Is there a better suite of software made by someone else?

Thanks

this is cdrlabs baby, opt for the nero 6 ultra:

http://www.nero.com/us/nero6-ultraedition.php

its what almost everyone here uses and recommends, especially me

hoxlund wrote:its what almost everyone here uses and recommends

Thanks, but why? What's the difference between them and what makes the Nero better that the Roxio?

well, use, brand, the features, you have more control over what your doing with nero

I prefer Nero 6 myself, but if you prefer Roxio software, upgrade to the version 7. I suggest you take a look at the free demo that they have for Nero 6 and then decide which you prefer.

aviationwiz wrote:I suggest you take a look at the free demo that they have for Nero 6 and then decide which you prefer.

That's what I'm going to do...I appreciate yours and hoxlund's help.

CAG

I prefer Nero over ECDC but I alway have both installed, also I prefer DirectCD/DragToDisk over InCD.

Shame is that Ahead didn't continue developing their software for th Mac.

The only claim I have is that burning DVD @8x Nero cannot maintain the speed of the data required by the recorder while ECDC and Toast does.

gonna download full version of ez cd media creator 7, test that out

hox,let us know how EMC 7 fares.


::Pranav::

well ive used it, pretty much the same thing, no new things added

I have heard that there is a potential conflict if you have bothe Easy CD Creator and Nero istalled at the same time. Is this true?

I have been considering Nero 6 myself. I just bought a DVD writer but I have an old version of Easy CD Creator 5 installed that I used for CD burning.

well nothing happened, i have and use nero 6 ultra edition, and installed media creator 7

both worked fine, just like nero better

Yes,Nero gives more control over the burn process,but EZCD is really good for a beginner.


::Pranav::

agreed

tdbmi73 wrote:I have heard that there is a potential conflict if you have bothe Easy CD Creator and Nero istalled at the same time. Is this true?

I have been considering Nero 6 myself. I just bought a DVD writer but I have an old version of Easy CD Creator 5 installed that I used for CD burning.

Yes these progs used to conflict but only did with me with the roxio version 4 & nero 4 or 5. When roxio 5 came out conflicts never happened again. I have both progs installed now and its ok. I have roxio verison 7. I like both progs.

used to be a beta tester for the old adaptec product...roxio messed it up for awhile but i think they have gotten it right this time....as worked flawlessly for me....done a good job of converting mpeg to dvd and worked great on mp3 to music cd

why the hell does ezcd 7 have to be so big??? Nero is sooo much smaller and gives alot more control.

wicked1 wrote:why the hell does ezcd 7 have to be so big??? Nero is sooo much smaller and gives alot more control.

Agreed.


::Pranav::

It is not true. The only conflict arises if you try and run InCD and DragToDisk or any other two packet writing software packages at the same time. I have had both Roxio and Nero installed through many versions of each without problems.

tdbmi73 wrote:I have heard that there is a potential conflict if you have bothe Easy CD Creator and Nero istalled at the same time. Is this true?

I have been considering Nero 6 myself. I just bought a DVD writer but I have an old version of Easy CD Creator 5 installed that I used for CD burning.

I have been skeptical of Roxio software for years now. I tried version 5 after using Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4 years ago. Version 5 was so bad, that I actually went out and bought Nero, sight unseen. Have been a Nero user ever since...now onto version 6.

I purchased my Plextor 708a about 7 months ago. With it came ECDC 6 DVD edition. I tried it for giggles, etc...and then uninstalled it. Then I started toying with tons of photos that my wife takes with her Olympus C-750 digital camera. Some sessions had as many as 500 pictures in them. I wanted to burn to DVD instead of CD and Nero gave me that option...however, with that said...the quality of the pictures was fairly grainy using NeroVision Express 2. So I started asking questions...and everyone's answer was Easy Media Creator 7 and Videowave and DVD builder.

So...I went out and purchased Easy Media Creator 7...two mail in rebates got me into it for $39....figured it was worth a try.

On the fly...reading the help files...I burned a DVD with 250 pictures on it. Added three songs and burned...when I played it back on my TV, through my DVD player...I was blown away! Roxio actually did something right.

Yes, the program is very big...and takes about a half hour to install. But the modules work and the program is actually pretty stable, from what I have ventured into.

So now, I use Nero and Easy Media Creator 7. I still prefer Nero when burning movies...but may venture into playing on that field as well. I capture mp2 with my ATI All in Wonder software...and usually let Nero encode...perhaps it's time to give Roxio a spin at it.

Not bad at all...

Give one to Roxio

Bob