DVD Suite 7 includes Cyberlink's industry-leading PowerDVD 8 software movieplayer (Blu-ray and HD DVD included), its highly rated PowerDirector movie editor/creator, its MediaShow slide-show creator, its PowerProducer movie disc creator, and its Power2Go disc-burning app.
Each of the modules is at least as easy to intuit and use as the competition's.
New features in version 7 include PowerProducer's ability to import both h.264 and AAC (the Ultra Suite edition exports h.264 only), and PowerDirector's ability to export directly to iPod, iPhone, and PSP.
The updated PowerDVD now decodes AAC audio tracks, too, and it has new library functions that allow you to keep track of the videos on your system more easily.
Other elements of DVD Suite 7 are PowerBackup, a convenient file-based backup utility whose only shortcoming is that it can't back up open files; Power DVD Copy, which can duplicate non-copy-protected discs of most types; Label Printer, an uncomplicated label creator; the InstaBurn packet-writing application for use with rewritable CD and DVD media; and access to Cyberlink's new online content and community.
If you feel constrained by the limited quantity of included DVD menu templates or other content--as I did--you can head online and look for more; the offering I found there were all free and seemed to be of a high quality.
DVD Suite 7 performs just about every disc-related task that the competition can handle--and does so extremely well. Include it in your comparisons with Roxio and Nero when you shop; it's that good.
Features:
Superior Video Playback: Supports AVCREC and commercial Blu-ray Disc, including interactive features and menus. Home theatre quality Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS audio support for Blu-ray movie playback. Movie Remix enables ""remixing"" of scenes from DVDs.
Powerful Video Editing: Pro-like editing of HD video content and photo slideshows, with animated PiP effects, image enhancement and fixing tools, as well as direct access to photos on Flickr and audio on Freesound for use in personal projects.
Professional Disc Authoring: Full support for Blu-ray Disc authoring, including high-definition menus, DVD subtitles and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. Support for AVCHD allows creation of AVCHD DVDs.
Smart Media Management: Enables instant cataloging, organization and display of digital media. Quick photo and video fixes. Multiple styles and soundtrack beat detection, for synced, video-like photo slideshows.
5. Secure Storage: Drag-and-drop burning. Protect entire discs or specific files and folders. Easily locate files using Quick Search features. Supports both Blu-ray Disc and DVD.