Nu Technologies DDW-081 DVD+R/RW - Articles / Reviews

Reviews: Storage

Nu Technologies DDW-081 DVD+R/RW

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Karl
Kurtis
Atacom
May. 2, 2004

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Bundled Software

I would have expected just a "white box" or OEM type of software to come with the drive considering its low price point, but this was not the case. Instead, NU Technologies bundled a software suite of various applications with their DDW-081. Included on the CD are four main applications: Sonic MyDVD, Sonic CinePlayer, Sonic RecordNow, and ArcSoft ShowBiz.

Sonic CinePlayer

The first and probably most used application will be Sonic MyDVD, if you are big on watching DVDs off your computer. The layout is simple, easy to read, and pretty much straight to the point. Basic features include hardware acceleration, with the newer VMR (Video Mixing Render) using DirectX, and screen capture. There is also the OpenDVD feature support provided by MyDVD, allowing you to further modify an already created DVD that is OpenDVD compliant. The version of Cineplayer bundled with this drive only supports 2 channels of audio (unless you have an external receiver and sound card capable of passing through the Digital AC3), this is typical for most bundled DVD players.

Sonic MyDVD

If you remember earlier, I mentioned two main reasons for someone to purchase a DVD burner was either to create DVDs of their own, or to use as data storage. Sonic MyDVD is the bundled software to be used for either purpose. However, Sonic MyDVD also acts as an application gateway, linking you to other bundled software to fulfill the task desired.

Sonic MyDVD is an available solution to creating DVDs or VCDs; either from a saved project, or direct from another video format. Sonic MyDVD works with the provided ArcSoft Showbiz to create DVDs off your computer. Sonic MyDVD is also capable of backing up music or data through the use of Sonic RecordNow. The main task Sonic MyDVD does on its own is creating DVD projects, to allow you to change features of your DVD such as menus and submenus, slideshows, capturing video, etc... (features you would not normally have from an included video editor.)

For those who are just getting started with DVD authoring, Sonic MyDVD has a Tutorial that is installed with the application that can guide you through every feature of the application.

Sonic RecordNow

Sonic RecordNow is the bundled software to take care of the folks concerned about data and music backup. Upon opening you will find that this application is quite simple, quick and straight forward to use. Sonic RecordNow handles file burning, backups, images, music, etc... Pretty much anything not related to movies/video, RecordNow handles.

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Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: Bundled Software
Page 3: Testing
Page 4: Conclusion

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