Recordable media such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs can be put to countless uses. As well as providing a means of transporting files from one computer to another, such discs can also be used to house backups. But recordable media is far more versatile than this; there is also the option of creating photo slideshows, audio discs, video compilations, mixed media discs and much more.

This is something that CyberLink Power2Go 7 can help with and we intend to take a closer look.

This is a comprehensive suite of burning tools designed to cater for ever disc burning eventuality. Whether you want to safeguard data by creating a backup copy or want to make better use of your digital media files, there is something here for you. Power2Go has not been created with one particular type of disc burning in mind, and nor is it a collection of separate burning tools quickly packaged together. Instead, it is a neatly integrated burning solution that benefits from a tidy interface that provides access to a wide variety of dedicated burning tools.

With support for recordable CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs and BDXL. Burning can be achieved in a variety of ways, including using a desktop gadget to burn discs using drag and drop. But it is the number of automated wizards that really help Power2Go 7 to shine.

Home video creation

Video CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays can be quickly created from a series of video files, and interactive menus can be created in a few easy steps. There are a number of menu templates to choose from, and more available for download from the CyberLink web site. Templates can also be customised so you can create something truly personal.

Authoring DVDs used to be a complicated, time-intensive process that required dedication and expensive software. Power2Go enables you to create DVDs like a professional even if you have never attempted it before.

The creation of audio discs and photo slides shows is a similarly simple process, and provides a great way to preserve precious memories and create gifts that will be treasured for years. Interactive slideshows are a wonderful way to show off your digital photos in high definition. All of you images are backed up in their original formats and resolutions so there is no danger of losing any photos.

Text and web links can be included in a slideshow. For the home user, this allows for the creation of genuinely interactive photo galleries, perhaps containing links to web sites about places you visited on your holiday, while small businesses can take advantage of this feature to create impressive disc-based catalogues.

Working with discs

It is becoming increasingly common for software to be delivered via the internet in the form of disc images. To help determine the contents of ISO disc image files, Power2Go includes a disc image viewer that can be used to not only display the contents of an image, but also extract individual files. The program can also be used to create straight one-to-one copies of different discs, assuming they are not copy protected. This enables Power2Go to be used as a disc backup tool and fills a gap in Windows’ own support for disc burning.

If you are looking to create a compilation CD, tools are on hand that make it easy to extract the contents of an audio CD to MP3, WAV or WMA formats and the WaveEditor tool can be used to edit and enhance the audio files you create ready for burning to disc. This can be useful for dividing lengthy tracks into smaller sections, or improving the sound of an old record you have converted to MP3.

When burning large files to disc, Power2Go will automatically determine whether the files will fit on the media you have chosen to use. If the files are two large, they will be automatically split across two or more discs as required.

Security at heart

If the program is used to create backups, it is likely that some of the files you are working with are sensitive. As such, it is possible to hide the names of files, and password-protect private data with 256 AES encryption. If you are worried that you may forget the password you have set, a password reminder can be configured to give you a hint when it is needed.

With so many burning bases covered, you would be hard pressed to find a more feature-packed burning suite. Power2Go has left nothing out, and all of the support disc types can be created quickly and easily. Available at such a low price, if you have any intension of burning discs of any type, Power2Go is a competent and cost-effective package. The beauty of the suite is that the process of burning a disc can be as simple or as involved as you like. For quick and easy burning, the desktop widget is a real boon, but there are a range of tools designed with specific types of disc in mind as well.