Test Bench: Sonic MyDVD 5 Studio Deluxe (page 2)
RecordNow!
While traditional disc burning packages have been adding more media-centric modules to their burning suites, Sonic is adding more advanced burning capabilities to MyDVD. Called RecordNow! Deluxe 6.5, MyDVD's disc burning utility is based on Veritas' proven disc creation engine.
OpenDVD vs. DVD+VR
OpenDVD is what Sonic calls its re-authorable disc format. This means that you can change menus on a rewritable disc without recapturing the project, reauthoring and reburning. This gives you the same functionality as the standardized DVD+VR process now in other applications. We haven't found re-editable discs to be that useful, but you may.
First Burn
By a healthy margin, MyDVD 5 is the easiest and fastest DVD authoring software we've seen (and we've seen 'em all). The competition in the $50-$100 DVD authoring software category is fierce, but when you consider the total package (including RecordNow! 6.5 and stereo AC3 encoding), $79 is a pretty good deal. If you just want to burn a disc and be done with it, MyDVD is the way to go.
TECH SPECS
Version: 5.0.0 (build 87386)
Platform: PC
Operating System: Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP
Processor: PIII 600MHz
RAM: 128MB
Hard Disk: 5GB
Additional Requirements: disc burner
Extra Software: Record Now! 6.5, CinePlayer
Demo Version: n/a (at press time)
Upgrade: $50
STRENGTHS
- Easy disc authoring
- Fast encoding
WEAKNESSES
- Mediocre templates
- Cannot adjust layout
SUMMARY
If you just want to burn a disc and be done with it, MyDVD is the way to go.
$79
Sonic Solutions
101 Rowland Way
Novato, CA 94945
(415) 893-8000
www.sonic.com
