14 DAY TRIAL // PC users have different methods of downloading files from the Internet, resorting to apps like download managers, torrent or peer-to-peer clients, depending on the type of files they are trying to obtain.
BearShare is a peer-to-peer file sharing tool geared toward audio and video tracks. In other words, it lets users search for music and videos online, preview and download them, as well as organize a media library. It comes with a built-in web browser and search engine, featuring options that can be configured by casual and power users alike.
NOTE: BearShare was tested on 64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro.
The installation procedure takes little time to finish (administrative rights are required). However, it is a little tricky to configure. Since it is an ad-supported product, BearShare offers to download and install third-party components that it does not actually need to work properly, as well as to make some modifications to the web browsers. These can be excluded from setup, though. At the end of the installer, it also offers to set itself as the default media player, as well as to create shortcut icons with links on the desktop.
The interface is not unpleasant to look at, but most users would probably agree that there's some discomfort to it. Luckily, BearShare supports multiple tabs (just like web browsers), which means that it is possible to manage multiple types of tasks at once and easily switch through them. Online registration or logging it with a Facebook account is required in order to take advantage of the entire features.
[tablec][row][col]
[/col] [/row][/tablec]
The Home area allows users to browse the application's online database for songs and artists, and it also lists the newest releases, hot tracks and top artists, along with BearShare playlists.
The top part of the frame shows a search function, next to the media player controls. It basically looks for music online and, when it comes to scan results, it loads the title, artist, availability, album, duration, size and popularity for each track, enabling users to preview them in a built-in player (via YouTube), add them to an active playlist or to the music library, download them, as well as mark items as favorites.
[tablec] [row] [col]
[/col] [col]
[/col] [/row][/tablec] Users may also switch to thumbnail view instead of list mode if they want to get a glimpse at each video. They should keep in mind that not all tracks can be downloaded, though, since this depends on their availability. As far as media player controls are concerned, it is possible to pause the current track, play the next or previous one, enable loop or shuffle mode, as well as adjust the volume level.
Playlists can be saved and added to the music library. As for the library, at startup BearShare offers to scan the computer for all supported audio and video tracks, after pointing out the directories to look into. It loads the title, artist name, album and time for each track, giving users the possibility to once again mark items as favorites. The favorites are basically included in another category in the library, thus enabling quick access to play preferred songs; they can be removed from this group with the click of a button.
[tablec] [row] [col]
[/col] [col]
[/col] [/row][/tablec] BearShare DJ is a special feature that discovers and plays music that resembles the genre of a preferred artist (similar to the YouTube Mix). It's a great way to quickly compile a playlist of various songs for studying or working, since it does not require user attention for each track change.
Posts can be shared on Facebook or Twitter, as well as transferred to Android smartphones, iPods and standard portable music players. Meanwhile, the entire main frame can be exchanged for mini player mode. An equalizer is included in the player, letting users apply either custom settings or presets.
Program preferences
The directories selected for the library scanner and saving downloads can be changed into something else, while BearShare can be set to no longer keep downloads organized by creating artist and album folders. When it comes to audio settings, it is possible to normalize volume for all songs and either adjust crossfading or disable it.
The Good
Torrent files are supported for downloading. The utility creates a system tray icon at startup and gets sent there on close, thus facilitating quick access.
The Bad
It failed to find many songs when we used the search function, as well as to connect to Facebook when we attempted to share songs. The download rate was slower than we expected.
The Truth
NOTE: You can also read our previous review for BearShare 5.2.0.
