ROXIO EASY CD & DVD CREATOR 6

In the same way that Microsoft has become the universally bundled OS for most computers, so Roxio has become the most popular bundled CD-writing software for laptops. However, the company also produces a range of retail versions, with the latest being Easy CD & DVD Creator 6 (£50 inc. VAT).

From the moment we installed our copy of Roxio Easy CD&DVD Creator 6 we had a number of complaints. The software warned us that our DVD rewriter - an 8x NEC drive - wasn't recognised so we would need to check for updates before we could proceed. Before we could do that we had to register the software, complete with serial number, then we sat there while 21MB of updates poured down our Broadband connection. Users without a highspeed connection will find that this will take up to two hours on dial-up.

We would hope that the CD or DVD writer in your laptop is rather more common than our drive, but whether it is or not we really hope that you aren't limited to a 56KB dial-up connection when it's time for a Roxio update.

Next we waded into the 380-page manual and were disappointed that the manual was in monochrome as the software makes extensive use of colour to aid navigation. Naturally, the software can burn regular data and audio disks, as well as copying unprotected disks, but it also has Audio Central which plays audio files and rips MP3s. DVD Builder allows you to import movie and photo files, and add in an audio file. Photo Suite is for organising and preparing photo CDs, Drag-to-Disc handles Packet writing and formatting, and finally there's Label Creator. Basically you don't get any DVD playback software.

The problem is that the elements of the software are arranged in a confusing way, illustrated by the eleven options on the Start menu. The main interface has enormous buttons in pastel shades which you use to open the module of your choice.

Creator Classic provides an interface similar to Nero, but Roxio has gone to great lengths to avoid using a Wizard. Select the project you're working on, drag over the files you want to use and hit the Burn button. If you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve then it's an efficient piece of software, but novice and occasional users are likely to find it tricky.

RATING: 5

PRICE: £42/£50 (EX/INC. VAT)
REQUIREMENTS: WINDOWS 98/2000/XP 815MB DISK SPACE
CONTACT: WWW.ROXIO.CO.UK