23 January 2007 13:00 GMT / By Stephen Patrick
There was a time when the typical DVD software could only play movies, leaving the likes of Roxio and Nero to handle disc creation as a separate package.However, in this age of multimedia things are changing, as Cyberlink DVD Suite 5 offers a comprehensive 10-in-1 answer to both DVD playback and disc creation.
At the heart of package remains CyberLink’s impressive PowerDVD utility, which is a simple to use program for viewing your movies. The other programs are built around disc creation and fall in to two different areas, those for data backup and storage and others for audio and video.
As you would expect, support for Blu-ray is a vital part of the package but there is no support for HD DVD as yet. Power2Go allows you to create data discs simply by dragging files to the disc and as with the similarly designed InstantBurn tool, you can use either a DVD or Blu-ray disc as you would a hard drive, simply dropping, saving or deleing files at will.
PowerBackup, as the name suggests, allows you to make regular backups of your files. Once you’ve made a full backup, you only need to make incremental updates, backing-up only those files that have changed, which saves time. You can even make a backup image of your laptop’s hard drive, so should you have any problem later on, you can revert to a full working version. While these tools all work well, they open as separate utilities rather than inside one larger interface, which can be rather frustrating, as you’ll need to switch between tools to get the most from it.
When it comes to video and audio disc creation, there are even more tools to get to grips with. Once again, while they work well, with no central interface, you’ll find yourself switching from window to window. In this respect, Roxio is a far more impressive tool, making disc creation a far easier affair.
PowerDirector is the main video tool and allows you to capture and edit footage in full widescreen and even output to HD MPEG2 or MPEG4 formats, as well as the standard DivX or AVI formats. For those with less experience at editing, you can use the Magic Style and Fix tools, to set the right balance and contrast and even set up the better transitions using the built-in wizard.
Less impressive are the audio tools, which work fine but don’t really offer anything you won’t already find in Windows Media Player, However, if you own an iPod, then you can rip audio in iTunes compatible format too.
Verdict
Overall, there is a lot to be impressed with here it’s just that it’s hard to get the best out of them.
At first we were overwhelmed with just how many tools there were for the money.
This may be great value but the interface isn’t the most intuitive and needs a rethink if it’s to be a serious threat to the likes of Roxio and it’s Creator series.
Score
Review Recap
- Made by
- Cyberlink
- Price as reviewed
- £35
- The good
- Cheap, 10 different tools
- The bad
- Poor interface, resource heavy
- Quick verdict
- You can create audio and video discs as well as watch them, which is great for value but the interface is too unwieldy
- Score
-
Recommended articles
Software, PC software, Video editing software, Cyberlink, Cameras, Video And Editing



Is Facebook about to buy Opera to create own Facebook browser? EXCLUSIVE: Pocket-lint source tells us "yes"
Which smartphone is best for the sun? Screens for the Summer
Batman Nokia Lumia 900: Limited edition phone heading to UK Who are you? I'm Batman
Jony Ive: Next Apple product is our most important and best work yet Better than iPod, iPad and iPhone?
Dragon's Dogma Adventure time
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Roger likes a Tango at 12 o'clock
Canon EOS 5D MK III It's a hat-trick
Porsche 911 Carrera (991) 2012 pictures and hands-on WANT
Robert Moog Google doodle best yet, even better than Les Paul Synthesizer synthesiser
Microsoft Office coming to iPad and Android tablets this November A change of heart?
APP OF THE DAY: Mini Motor review (Android, iPhone and iPad) Top-down. Top app.
Toshiba AT300: The quad-core 10.1-inch ICS Android tablet UPDATE: Pricing unveiled
Sega serves up Virtua Tennis Challenge on the iPad and iPhone Smash-ing
APP OF THE DAY: Wyse PocketCloud Remote (Android) Work on your PC from anywhere in the world
Free Wi-Fi? Then give us your dog poo Dirt cheap
Olympus OM-D E-M5 review
The compact system camera to beat all others?
Nokia Lumia 900 review
Is big beautiful?
HTC One V review
V for victory?
Huawei Ascend G300 review
Big bang for your hundred quid
FIFA 12: UEFA Euro 2012 review
Lacks polish, if not the Polish
Asus Transformer Pad TF300T review
Transforms your money in to a great tablet
Nikon Coolpix P510 review
Does the P510 zoom beyond expectations?
Fujifilm X-Pro1 review
Like a Leica
Volkswagen Beetle Design 1.2TSi DSG review
The bug is back. Again.
BlackBerry Curve 9320 review
A BB for beginners?
Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR review
Can Fujifilm’s latest put the ‘super’ in superzoom?
HP Envy 14 Spectre review
The Ultrabook that isn't an Ultrabook
The Walking Dead: The Game review
Fleshed out zombie bonanza
Sony Cyber-shot HX200V review
Superzoom master keeps the bar high