In Depth Review: Roxio 2009
Roxio has released the latest version of its media recording and management suite. The Roxio suite offers pretty much the same features and programs that were included in previous versions, but the tools are offered in a much simplified and user-friendly manner. Rather than placing the start menu entries in nested folders for audio, video, tools, copy, data, photos, backup, and my media – the programs are listed right under the Roxio tab.
Roxio 2009 “basic” offers:
- Creator Classic – the age old, yet perfectly functional & satisfying interface for creating discs;
- Label Creator – a program to create and print labels for discs (or on discs if you have a Lightscribe drive and disc);
- Media Manager – an all-in-one manager for all your photos, videos, and music.
- Music Disc Creator – an interface for creating traditional CDs as well as MP3 discs;
- My DVD – A DVD creation program with options for menu creation;
- Photosuite – a photo enhancement/management program;
- Sound Editor – an editor for all sorts of sound files;
- Video Copy & Convertor – a conversion program that allows you to rip (unprotected) DVDs or convert video on your hard drive into a format that can be read by your portable player (and more);
- Videowave – a video editing program. This is also used as a production editor for My DVD;
- Backon Track Home Version – A backup program; and
- Cineplayer – a movie player.
Biggest Feature!
Readers might expect that this section would be devoted to a new “Web 2.0” interface or integration (and Roxio 2009 does have a You Tube upload feature) – but any particular wizardry of the internet age is not the biggest feature in Roxio 2009. So, what is the biggest feature??? STABILITY!!!
Of course, stability and usability is something that should just be plain demanded of any commercially available software. Alas, the old axiom that one should expect the least of people to prevent disappointment usually is proven through commercial software. Roxio 2009, as compared to previous versions of the media suite, however, is much more solid and only infrequently crashes. I suppose that to have a media suite be crash-free remains unattainable – although single crash I experienced was with a video file that must have had an error as the program would crash at the same point in the video each time. However, there is another problem with video editing . . .
Main Features
Roxio 2009 can now edit and write High Definition (HD) video to disc. This was originally designed for HD-DVD, but now that that format has given-up the ghost, a plug-in for Blu-ray is now available (in fact, during September the plug-in was offered free with a purchase – - otherwise the plug-in is available for an additional fee). A DVD author can create a regular DVD with AVCHD files that will play HD video on a BR player or he can create a true BR disc for use on that same player.
How well does this feature work? Well, it worked very well – when I eventually got it to work. Even though in my experience Roxio 2009 is much more stable than previous versions when I first attempted to edit and author a HD disc, My DVD would crash attempting to convert the file to an editable format.
Here is the saga – - I use a Hauppauge HD-PVR and BeyondTV to time shift HD satellite programs. My computer is not connected to my home theater system, so I must place the program on a RW Disc to watch the shows. Well, attempting to edit and burn the raw HD file (.tp format) My DVD would crash in attempting to convert the file. Eventually, through the use of a BeyondTV beta for the latest version, I was able to get BeyondTV to convert the file to a WMV9 HD file which My DVD could handle. Once in that WMV file the disc authoring went without a hitch and was actually much more nimble than previous versions of Roxio.
In fact, the audio cleaning function in My DVD is an invaluable tool to get rid of any ground loop hum that might creep into your recordings. The fact that this tool was usable in 2009 is what led me to conclude this version is more stable than previous versions. Prior to 2009, the audio track cleaning function would crash without fail. To get this feature in place and working is a welcomed development.
Another main feature is the new Video Copy and Convert program and the ability to convert batches of files for use on an iPod through an Audio Conversion program. Both programs make encoding (or maybe re-encoding) for use on a mobile device simple and easy.
Roxio Media Manager allows you to Synchronize digital media from your PC to your mobile device and queue up files to transfer to your mobile device even if it’s not connected to your PC . It isn’t just for syncing to MP3 players. It is very useful for sending photos. The e-mail assistant will automatically modify converting them to html files for use in Outlook. It can also convert files for other e-mail programs and services. I have used it to convert HD photos to a lower resolution for placement on a USB drive for my electronic photo frame.
E-mail Assistant
From the Media Manager you can start many of the other Roxio applications as you can from the Roxio 2009 application launch program.
Honorable Mentions
Not that this is especially new for the 2009 version, the sound editor is an incredibly useful and easy to use addition to the suite. Those recordings from streaming stations that end up in one large file can be exported by track merely by marking the beginning and end points. Then a single export creates multiple tracks. An excellent tool.
The Media Capture is the suite program for importing video and photos for editing, enhancing, and burning. Capturing video is made easy with the many codecs and options available. The staples, such as timed capture, are present as well.
Finally, the Photosuite program is also a real value and is a great way to improve and manipulate your photos.
Bottom Line
If you have ever had a problem with the stability of Roxio’s suite in the past, Roxio 2009 is definitely for you. Roxio is also a great suite of programs for anyone who needs to edit video, music, or photos – you will not be disappointed with your purchase. Roxio 2009 comes in two versions – a basic version and an “ultimate” version with SmartSound SonicFire Pro™ for the creation of sophisticated music tracks in your video and BIAS SoundSoap for cleaning audio files.
The basic version is listed at $99.99, but there is a $20 rebate offered which is is good for purchases made between 8/26/08 – 12/31/09 at Roxio.com, Sonic.com or DigitalRiver.com. Currently the Blu-ray plug-in is offered for free – but it is a limited time offer. Check the site before you purchase.
Update: 10/12/2008. While attempting to use the Roxio Label Creator to print lightscribe DVD labels, I have discovered that it prints the entire disc blacked out. This makes the label creator useless. If this is a common problem or if there is a fix, it will appear here.
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Comments
You’re welcome.
You are not alone in having problems with Vista, but having a suite that is designed to convert video and make it easier to use your ipod – makes Vista more bearable. I have yet to try the function with a commercial DVD. It is possible that the copyright “protection” could prevent the rip and transfer.
does roxio creator 2009 have a dvd decoder so that I can paly dvd on media player. I dont have it in my laptop. I have already ordered the creator 2009.
Yes, it has Cineplayer which is a DVD player.
Of course, if you want a free DVD player look for Videolan.
My post at the following address will describe it:
http://www.speec.mobi/archive/technology/so-you-want-a-free-media-suite-well-you-can-kinda/
I want to do audio recordings of my books. After recording I would burn them. What does Roxio offer to easily solve my problem.
Before I buy Roxio 2009, I would love to ask you some questions. I would like to be able to copy my CD collection onto DVDs in a greatest hits type compilation and be able to add a picture of the source Cd to the (I guess you would call it a) chapter. If I were to put certain songs from lets say 5 CDs onto a DVD, is each song a chapter or will 2009 subdivide each song within a chapter. What was the final verdict on the label make? Making labels and/or a song inventory list is a deal breaker for me. Thanks, Paul
Re: Jack Terryah:
Roxio has an audio recording and editing program. So, you could record your tracks – edit them – and then burn the compilation to disc.
As far as the easily part – well, that I don’t know.
Of course, if you want a free alternative, Audacity is the program to use. Try this link about podcasting and Audacity. The audiobook idea is similar.
http://revision3.com/systm/podcasting/
Re: Paul Kermis…
See the new post on the main page http://www.speec.mobi
I’ve been researching this product since I need a lot of new things for media. Your review is helpful in pointing out the stability of Creator 2009. I’ve had trouble with several programs on Vista so it’s good to know there’s a suite that works. I would like to do more with my ipod files so this seems like a good choice. Thanks for your analysis.