14 DAY TRIAL // The Beginning:
After the massive install was completed, I could hardly wait to pick Nero's brains.
Since there was so much information packed in Nero 7, we at Softpedia thought it would be more helpful if we'd split our thoughts into two comprehensive reviews. For the first review, we've chosen to shift our focus to the 'Non-Burning' aspects of Nero, starting with Nero Home.
This is a central application, where users can access and manage media files from their PC or TV (if they have the appropriate video cards). Nero Home integrates TV recording, time-shifting and DVD playback. It also offers features like audio and photo playback. All this is done with a simple and professional looking interface for beginners and loyal Nero customers alike.
The introduction nearly makes you feel weightless when looking at the aesthetically pleasing watery blue backdrop and the five easy choices that are floating in front of you.
Although the program is highly sophisticated, it still comes down to its effectiveness in finding simplicity. The design is simple and easy to follow. Things are categorized and subcategorized within Nero's own folders. In Nero Home, you can choose between Audio, Playlists, Photos, Video & TV and Devices. The last being a direct link to your own computer but with a different interface. Anything that could be played or viewed is accessible and interacts within Nero splendidly.
The next 'Non-Burning' Nero application I looked at was Nero BackItUp. This all-in-one wonder tool offers backup and restore support.
A simple backup of any desired file on your system can be performed right before your eyes. If that's not enough for you, you can decide to make a complete backup of a drive instead.
If you get really bored and never want to worry about backups again, a regular cycle of backups can be set up and catalogued through Nero's Calendar function. With complete reports and performance reviews of prior backups, this system has a similar feel to Veritas, the professional backup tool used by many IT Techs.
Nero Cover Design comes in handy whenever you need to make any CD or DVD cover. It's a breeze to use and its interface has a common paint program attribute that most people are used to seeing.
If you don't have time to be artsy fartsy, but still want quality to your CD cover, there's no need to worry. A built in template for any type of Music and Data CD format is already included. I was impressed by the many scenarios Nero Cover Designer was prepared for. You can manipulate the templates and your own designs on standard, DVD cases, multi-box session, slim pack and business cards.
It's easy enough to put the image on the designated spot and print it out.
Moving onto 'MediaHome', I'm surprised to see how many different sorts of applications Nero has thought of combining into one product. Essentially, MediaHome is a way to share any files over an allocated network.
Worthwhile for quick transfers in a business environment or small personal network, this speedy tool easily proves its functionality. Although there might be some firewall issues initially, they could very well continue? I myself had problems when it came to Starting the server since I couldn't download the necessary update files.
Although the server did not have every file necessary for updating, I was still able to start it. I can't really comment on what the updates would have or could have done, but this is the first time that Nero hasn't come through all the way with one of their applications.
Nero's PhotoSnap software appears to be an easy application to use and furthermore, understand. For basic and essential quick fixes, everything is at one's disposal.
By essentials, I mean to say the quick fix basics that most users want: autofix, resize, crop, Red eye, color, brightness/contrast and many more. I was able to sharpen the detail of an image without going through about 12 steps as I normally would with a more specialized program like Photoshop.
This is a quick, hands on, easy to use, get to the point imaging center revolving on most people's needs. I like that they anticipated most user's needs and only included these fundamental functions in the interface, only expanding toward more intricate operations in the 'Other Effects' button.
It's great for multi purpose quick projects. People will like to play around and manipulate images to their liking.
I had a tough time deciding whether or not to add Nero Showtime 2 to this review since I figured that most would be watching the movies they just burned on this player. Yet, since it seems to fit more with the general concept that it's something you view rather than burn, it naturally had to fall in this category.
In all honesty, it's similar to most DVD players out there. The closest being WIN DVD. That's not to say it isn't good, but the functionality of Play, Stop Rewind and Forward doesn't excite me too much. It has all the things you want to play DVD's, doesn't that make you happy enough?
Last on the review is Nero's WaveEditor. This gizmo has so many options to tune, tweak, squeak, amp, regulate, dilute, pitch, bend, stutter and beat into place any rhythm, melody or song that you might happen to have at your disposal.
The scenic silhouette of the song's amplitude is the first sign of professionalism. Well, not really, but it does make it look quite fancy. I played around with Beethoven's Symphony Nr. 9 so much that it sounded like a bird chirping by the time I got through with it.
Even without the musical know-how I was able to play around and enjoy myself to a certain point. The interface and options that are offered are aesthetically appealing and clear to almost anyone, but I don't know what the hardcore users will think. For a non-professional musician like myself, I was overwhelmed by the limitless options and easy-to-use interface.
The Good
From all the applications that are included with Nero 7, PhotoSnap gave me the greatest pleasure. Nero Home was also a joy to use. Every aspect of Nero was professionally done and anyone who uses this product will see just that.
The Bad
There's just so much! The install size is huge, when did Nero become such a hog?
The Truth
Even though the install is quite hefty, Nero's managed to transform itself into a full system managing program. With players, burners, visual programs, audio editing software and much more (believe me). With all these new toys to tinker with, you will definitely NOT get bored with any of its easy to use interfaces. This is a two-thumbs-up product.
Check out the vast array of screenshots below.
