-REVIEW:Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4 Deluxe

Telecomworldwire, Oct 19, 1999

PRODUCT:Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4 Deluxe PLATFORM:PC/Windows SUPPLIER:Adaptec PRICE:VARIES

Adaptec has gone another step further and made a great package greater. The company has enhanced and updated its already powerful and comprehensive CD writing software package in order to make it even better still.

So far, during the review, I've been 'burning' with confidence without the perennial fear of making another coaster (a CD that is no good). And what is more, this has been achieved while working in another window too -- OK, maybe I cheated and used Windows NT4 instead of Win98 here - but nonetheless it has been bomb-proof so far. The package is comprehensive - it includes a whole host of software to produce and record audio, video and data CDs as well as make printed cases and even provide a means to edit the source material.

Compared to the previous version, a lot of tidying-up has gone on under the hood, fixing minor things here and there and improving the general package to make it more robust and user- friendly. One feature that will particularly appeal is the ability to automatically search for any updated files or drivers for the package over the Internet and subsequently download them and automatically install them.

More and more software companies are adopting this means although I hope they don't also stop providing manually- downloaded files as not everyone has a direct fast Internet line available when they are working. New features include Take Two - an image-based disaster recovery program; new MP3 support, audio fading and greater text-and-code support for images, post-writing verification of CDs and the Liquid Music audio music player and VideoWave II SE video editing package. Installation was easy and trouble-free. I dislike the 'animated agent' they use but that is a personal hatred of mine, first activated by Microsoft with its dancing paperclip. Fortunately once you turn him off he disappears for the duration of the session.

In a multitude of tests and productions I've so far not had any serious problems that have inhibited the use of the package. In fact the only problems have been of my own causing - i.e. format issues - but they were soon resolved. With this in mind, I am confident to say that so far this is proving to be the best CD copier and production suite that I've used and it is certainly setting a new standard for reliability, accessibility and productivity.

CONCLUSION: A very comprehensive package that has so far only provided pleasing results, a stress-free existence and reliable productions. Review by Darren Ingram.

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