Get a FREE fully-working copy of Steganos Security Suite 7 (worth £49.99) when you sign up to the Practical PC Newsletter. Review: Roxio RecordNow! Deluxe 7.3
Roxio/Sonic's RecordNow! has recently been upgraded to version 7. What does this new release bring to the table?
| Product | RecordNow! Deluxe 7.3 |
|---|---|
| Company | Roxio |
| Web | www.roxio.co.uk |
| Price | £19.99 |
| We like | All the functionality most people need, price, ability to expand |
| We don't like | At this price, nothing |
| Rating | 9/10 |
| Requirements |
RecordNow! Deluxe provides all the functionality most people need for recording CDs and DVDs. The simple interface breaks down the functionality in to different tasks with options for audio, data, video and backup. Within each tab are a number of options. As an example, the data tab offers data disc, data image and exact copy.
A nice touch is that the interface has place holders for additional functionality with each being marked with the prefix "UPGRADE". As you add install new software such as Backup MyPC, these options are enabled. This way you have access to a whole range of tools via a unified front end.
Before going any further, with only the merest scrap of a "getting started" sheet as a guide, we had a look at the online help to see how things worked. We were pleasantly surprised to find not only was everything covered in a simple straightforward way but that the online help also contained additional useful information. Whilst more experienced users of CD and DVD writers may know what they are doing, beginners will certainly appreciate the section headed "Things you should know". Here you can find out about audio and data discs, layouts, media types and more. We particularly liked the audio section which covered different formats and what additional software you would need to install to make use of them.
There is also a tutorial which covers all the bases in a clear and concise way as well as covering the additional Sonic programs you can buy to upgrade the package.
For once, the readme file was actually worth reading too with some useful snippets and warnings about possible problems such as a Windows bug when putting multiple sessions on a DVD over the 4Gb mark.
Audio
The Audio tab allows you to create CDs for use in a normal CD player. You can also create what it calls Jukebox CDs which are for use with MP3, WMA and M4A players. You can also rip existing CDs to the hard disk.
Data
The Data tab lets you write normal data CDs or DVDs as well as images of discs on your hard drive for later use. It also offers a copy function which oddly just jumps to the Backup tab.
Backup
The Backup tab is slightly more interesting. As well as the basic copy function there is a file archive tool. This has a number of categories such as email, financial and photos. When selected, RecordNow! scans your hard disk for files with certain file extensions to copied to a backup. You can optionally add a date clause to further control what is copied. We couldn't see a way to change which file extensions are scanned for though which is a pity. It would have been nice to be able to easily pick up more photo formats such as digital camera raw. You can also work with disc images here, both it's own .gi format plus the more common .iso.
Finally, if you have also installed Backup MyPC, you have a button to launch that application for backing up your entire system.
Video
The Video tab is a bit more spartan with just a copy disc option plus two of the "UPGRADE" place holders for further functionality to be added by additional Sonic products.
In Use
We were very impressed with Sonic's RecordNow! Deluxe. It loaded quickly, did exactly what it said on the tin and didn't stop you using the PC whilst it was at it. Unlike competitors such as Nero, it does have a far more limited range of fine control options over the burn process. However, anyone short of a power user will have enough to satisfy their needs. You can choose Disc at Once (DAO) and Track at Once (TAO) as well as different modes and file systems. Usefully you can also add some volume descriptors such as the Publisher ID and Application ID. The options screens have an "Explain" button that takes you to the appropriate place in the manual if you need help.
As well as using the Explorer like interface to select which files you want to burn, you can also drag and drop them on to CD symbol at the top. This is intelligent inasmuch as dropping MP3s there selects an audio disc or dragging a drive letter over fires up Backup MyPC if installed.
There is an option to normalise the volume levels on audio CDs but nothing like the level of control over the audio that other packages have.
Conclusion
Sonic RecordNow! Deluxe provides a fine bundle for the price. It's both a good choice starting from scratch or as an upgrade for users who may have got a cut down version bundled with their PC or burner. Power users will find it lacking but for most people it provides a simple to use yet solid set of tools for creating any sort of CD or DVD you are likely to want.
