|
|
|
|
||||
| An error occurred. Please try later.An error occurred. Please try later.An error occurred. Please try later. |
321 Studios is best known for their DVD X Copy software. Having created some of the very best, as well as the easiest to use software for copying DVD commercial films for archival purposes to blank DVDs, it seems only logical that they would move to other aspects of DVD related software.
Taking their experience with making the arduous task of duplicating commercially released DVD’s to blank DVD’s simple, they have expanded into the arena of making personal DVD’s just as simple. Unlike creating CD-ROMs, the process of creating DVD’s that are subsequently playable on your average DVD player requires some serious steps. What DVD X Maker does is reduce all of this into a series of steps. Aided by "wizards," the process of creating a DVD of original content becomes a one stop operation.
Usually if one wants to create a personal DVD or transfer old movies into the DVD format, the process usually involves several applications. An application to extract and edit the video source material and then another to burn the collection to DVD. There are all in one programs that can do it all, but even then, they require some considerable effort. At the high end of the spectrum the costs can quickly skyrocket. There are choices, however one has to be aware of them, their limitations and how all of the various programs can work, or not work, on one system.
For those that want an easy price point aware way to do this, DVD X Maker takes a considerable amount of the struggle out of the process. The incorporated wizards can allow users without a lot of PC experience to capture video, import movies, export video and also create slide shows. The program also includes the ability to create labels for the finished DVD and case.
The wizards in this case can perform video capture, thus eliminating the need for a second video editing package, an import movie wizard, export capacity and a slide show creation wizard round out the feature set.
The authoring tools packed with DVD X Maker include automatic and manual chapter settings, real time graphic scrubber, DVD special feature support, automatic CD and DVD jewel case generation, hardware video capture support, real–time MPEG 1 and 2 encoder, integrated burner support and last, but not least, the ability to create VCD’s.
Coupling the ability to burn, capture and edit footage, DVD X Maker includes a rather extensive feature set for an application within these price points. For those starting out and in need of a simple price point effective solution to video creation, this is truly an elegant solution. While experts and those that want more detail may find this application somewhat limited, for those that simply want to do the basics and do not wish to part with several hundred dollars to do so, 321 Studios offers a simple solution.
I am almost sure that you can assemble freeware, adware and other programs on the net to accomplish the tasks that this program can do. The only problem with that approach is finding the various software titles to do it, configuring them and finally putting all of the parts together. While many newer CD and DVD writing packages feature the ability to capture and edit video and then burn the creations onto CD’s or DVD’s, the all in one wizard approach of 321 Studios is certainly worth investigating for the average home user who is interested in entering this aspect of computing.
This is one of those products that when I heard about it, I really could not believe it was true. If you have ever created a data disk, then you know that things can go wrong. Any time you burn a CD and/ or a DVD a minor misstep can lead to loss of data. With the new burning software around, most of the problems of the past are over. However, every now and then trouble comes.
If you have DVD’s that are not readable, or a badly burned CD, DVD X Rescue is the utility that can save the proverbial day. What this program basically does is attempt to allow you access to data that may not be retrievable via the normal channels. Although DVD’s and CD’s are billed as sturdy, they are far from being eternal. Even the best software can go bad: the power can go out, or you can make a minor mistake that renders data lost forever.
To the best of my knowledge, I have not seen too many software packages come along that offer relief from scratches, distortion and read errors. What DVD X Rescue does is retrieve the lost data and then allows you to burn the newly recovered information to a new disk. While titled DVD X Rescue, the program also restores CD’s as well.
The formats that this program can resuce from harm include DVD’s, Music CD’s, Data–Software, CDR-(Recordable), CDRW-(rewritables), Cdi, CD+G, DVD-R and RW, Photo CDs. The program also makes note that it can repair Sony Mavica CD’s.
Billed as the most comprehensive DVD rescue in the market place, it includes the ability to recover data from unreadable, corrupt or defective DVD, DVD R/W, CD, CDR and RW formats, detects corrupt files, recovers corrupt data, recovers improperly written data and data errors. The program works with all common PC and Mac disc formats as well as analyzes the quality and readiblity of the disc. The program also recovers after interruption and provides exam speed and thoroughness balancing.
In my tests, I took a CD I knew was poorly burned with data I could not retrieve. After a few moments, the interface displayed the lost burned session with all entries intact. Much to my amazement information I felt lost forever had been returned.
Unlike some utilities that seem to make finding information a long day’s journey into night, this one took all of the pain out of restoring lost data. Performance wise, feature wise and user wise, I have to admit I am impressed with this entry from 321 Studios.
When Windows came out with the digital edition of their plus package, they also included a program that allowed you to turn static digital photos into slide show presentations. With the application you could move around a picture, add narration and in short create a little presentation. Basic in its approach, the program was an effective solution for end users who wanted to share presentations with others over the Net, or create mini films using still images.
Again, incorporating the wizard approach and an opening tutorial that automatically opens after the program installs, this application is geared towards new users without making you feel like you are using a fisher priced rendition of a larger package.
Unlike some programs that feature "oh so cute" interfaces, or glowing buzzing buttons, 321 has taken a mature approach to making the intimidating less frightening.
In essence, the application allows you to create a visual slide show from still digital images. Instead of simply sending a single image, this program allows you to turn your family photos into a moving presentation. Complete with the ability to create zooms, pans and other effects, the application permits.
The authoring package included with DVD X Show includes the ability to add music and/or narration to a presentation and the ability to record your presentations on DVD’s that can be played back on your average player.
With enough help menus and support, this is really the ideal program for the home user that wants to create interesting presentations, but does not wish to become a weekend video professional.
Primarily known for their excellent DVD archiving software, 321 Studios has now entered the arena of utilities and consumer and digital video and image editing and burning software. Taking their experience into this area, they have made what is normally a difficult sometimes expensive process and turned it into a simple wizard based solution. Since that has been their speciality for some time, it comes as no surprise that they would do that here.
If you are new to digital editing, or just purchased a DVD burner and want to get up and running fast,. 321 Studios offers about the easiest way to get the work done. When you couple their ease of use and their easy to access Web site, plus their live message boards, support is plentiful. In many cases the programs are so easy to use all you need to do is watch the videos on the Web site and you are up and running.
As something of an experiment, I asked a relative new comer to computing to use 321 Studios to burn a DVD from a source material. For the record, it was a DVD I purchased and own. He not only managed to make a flawless duplicate, he did so without reading so much as one book. So that should give you an idea that the interfaces are reasonably intuitive to use.
Should you already have enough video software on your PC, or your not in the need for these types of applications, DVD X Rescue is a must have utility. For anyone with a DVD burner, this is a life saver and an investment well worth making.
Few applications can claim to restore ruined DVD’s and CD’s and this one gets the job done. I don’t think a single user will want to miss this important application. As expensive and precious as data CD’s are and prone to damage, this is one application you will want to run, not walk, to add to your collection. Do I feel confident about DVD X Rescue? I have to answer, I am very impressed and I know you will be too with this must have for any PC owner with a DVD burning drive.
Talk to Kurt in Graphics Unleashed Forums
Lexar Jump Drive and Platinum II SDHC Card · IRISNotes 2 Executive · IOGEAR Spill-Resistant Wired Keyboard and Mouse Combo · Logitech Z623 Computer Speakers · Gateway FX 6860-UR21P: An All-Purpose Desktop PC · Ridiculously Easy Backup From Rebit · The IOGear GPEN300 · A Review of the 5 inch EZReader Pocket Pro From Astak · A Review of the Barnes and Noble Color Nook · A Review of the Dell XPS 8100 · The Kobo eBook Reader, Just About Reading · The Best Ergonomic Mouse? The Smartfish ErgoMotion Laser Mouse · Sage Act 2010 · Microsoft Windows 7 · Adobe Creative Suite CS2 · Adobe Photoshop CS2 · SwissMemory Victorinox rubyRED Swiss Army Knife/Flash Drive · Tapwave Zodiac 2 · Stardock Object Desktop · Acrobat 7 Professional · Maximizer 8 · QuarkXPress 6.5 · McAfee's 2005 Product Line · Logitech io Personal Digital Pen 2 · IRIS Business Card Reader II for Windows/PC · Sandisk Cruzer Titanium Flash Drive · Microsoft Wireless Comfort Keyboard · Maxon Cinema 4D 9 · Jasc Paint Shop Pro 9 · Norton SystemWorks 2005 Premier · Verbatim Store N' Go 2.1 GB Hard Drive · Corel Painter IX · Paint Shop Photo Album 5 · Adobe Video Collection Professional 2.5 · Alien Skin Eye Candy 5: Textures · Techsmith SnagIt 7.0 · Ulead Media Studio Pro 7 · Xara Webstyle 4 · Maxon BodyPaint 3D Release 2 · Eovia Carrara Studio 3 · AV Bros. Puzzle Pro 2 · AutoFX Mystical Tint Tone and Color · Andromeda Screens, Cutline and Etchtone Plug-In Filters · Macromedia Studio MX 2004 · Microsoft FrontPage 2003 · AutoFX AutoEye 2.0 · Adobe Premiere Pro · Adobe Audition · Amapi Designer 7 · Alien Skin Splat! · Alien Skin Eye Candy 4000 · Alien Skin Image Doctor · Canvas 9 · nik Dfine · Xenofex 2 · QuarkXpress 6 · Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8 · Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional · Corel Painter 8 · Nik Color Efex Pro · Caligari TrueSpace 6.5 · Macromedia Contribute · Maxon Cinema 4D · Sonic Foundry Sound Forge 6.0 · nik Sharpener Pro · Jasc Paint Shop Photo Album 4 · Xara Menu Maker 1 · Curious Labs Poser 5 · Macromedia Freehand MX · Adobe Illustrator 10 · Ulead Photoimpact 8 · Xara 3D 5 · Xara X · Microsoft Publisher 2002 · Creature House Expression 3 · CorelDRAW 11 Graphics Suite · Procreate Painter 7 · QuarkXpress 5 · Adobe Pagemaker 7 · Adobe Photoshop 7
Copyright © 1995–2013 Unleashed Productions, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
