DVD Suite Pro

At first glance, CyberLink’s DVD Suite Pro appears to be the end-all, be-all solution for multimedia fans. For under $100, you get a staggering array of tools and utilities, giving you the ability to perform a wealth of tasks with an assortment of multimedia file types. Closer inspection reveals that while DVD Suite Pro offers a considerable value for the price, it misses the mark in a few spots.

With DVD Suite Pro, you’ll receive 10 tools and utilities: PowerDirector (Express version), PowerProducer, PowerBackup, Power2Go, InstantBurn, LabelPrint, MediaShow, PowerDVD (Express version), PowerDVD Copy, and PowerStarter. PowerDirector Express and PowerProducer enable you to capture and then edit or author videos, respectively. PowerBackup, as its name implies, adds backup capabilities. Power2Go and InstantBurn variously let you burn data or multimedia file formats to CDs, DVDs and/or Bluray discs, but not HD DVD as of this writing. LabelPrint lets you create and print labels, and MediaShow helps you create slideshows.

PowerDVD Express and PowerDVD Copy, make it easy to watch and copy DVDs. The final tool in the box, PowerStarter, affords access to all the programs from a single interface.

Despite the fact that CyberLink promotes the multimedia capabilities of this suite, its heart really lies with video. Audio tools aren’t very impressive and won’t give you much functionality beyond what you can find free. Furthermore, the photo editor present in previous versions is now gone. In addition, each tool is a completely separate program, and even though Cyberlink unites their icons under a central interface, there is no integration among them.

Those caveats aside, DVD Suite Pro gives you a lot for a minimal outlay. Specifically, PowerDirector Express includes advanced editing capabilities, as well as Magic Fix tools and built-in wizards, ensuring both old and new hands feel comfortable. A free trial will let you explore this suite’s riches.