Nero 8 Does It Again
Not surprisingly, version 8 supports Blu-ray BD-AV discs that play on PlayStation 3 and Blu-ray disc players. Nero also supports HD DVD video formats and can convert HD content into AVCHD format. Nero is also able to convert DVD content to play as MP3s on iPods and PSPs. Support for MP3s is virtually unlimited.
Nero's Ultra Edition competes with most media center software on the market, including Microsoft Media Center. A couple of clicks in Ultra and a Windows Vista or Windows XP PC can turn into a home entertainment unit. Ultra's media center music storage and streaming can produce clean audio on any high-end PC speakers and even on stereos as long as a sound card supports it.
PRODUCT:
Nero 8
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PRICE:
$99.99
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DISTRIBUTORS/
INTEGRATORS:
Direct from vendor
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COMPANY:
Nero
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Glendale, Calif.
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(818) 956-5930
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The software is capable of streaming live TV to an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, so game consoles can be used to watch TV throughout the home. Ultra can record TV shows and even delay viewing by shifting time if users need to stop watching temporarily.
Keep in mind, however, that Nero Ultra does not come with the support of other media center software on the market. The company does not have the large device driver reach, so only the products they support work with Ultra.
System builders will find that the NeroRescueAgent is extremely useful as a file-salvage tool. RescueAgent performs well when recovering deleted files from CDs and DVDs. Nero claims that the tool can also recover files from scratched CDs and DVDs, and even from poorly recorded media.
The OEM software is sold with recorders from vendors such as LiteOn, Memorex and Sony.