Focus Select CD/DVD Burner

Select CD/DVD Burner from Focus Multimedia is a basic yet functional program - and considerably cheaper than its competition.

However, what it saves in price it loses in slickness when compared to rivals such as Nero and EasyCD Creator. After a simple installation, alarming error messages pop up to say there is no ASPI layer in your version of Windows. The fault is easily remedied - instructions are carried on the inside of the packaging - but it's hard to forgive when the company is clearly aware of it but hasn't found a simple workaround.

Once into the application, the main menu gives options to create or copy data CDs or DVDs, as well as audio and media CDs. The latter option allows you to create a video, photo or mixed media disc. And this is all the product offers, as there are no tools for performing tasks such as converting audio files into different formats.

Its rivals offer more options, but its lack of complicated options does mean that Select CD/DVD is very easy to use. This is enhanced by the wizard that takes the user step by step through burning a new disc.

For quick and simple CD writing we can't really fault the package, especially at its budget price. But for anybody serious about writing discs, the lack of options and functionality makes it hard to justify even the £10 price tag, and we recommend spending a bit more cash and investing in products from either Roxio or Ahead.

Contact: Focus Multimedia 01889 570 156
www.focusmm.co.uk

System Requirements:

• Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
• Pentium II 400 (Pentium III-800 recommended)
• 256MB of Ram
• 100MB hard disk space plus sufficient space for temporary files
• 800 x 600 x 256 colours
• Any 100 per cent ASPI-compliant CD/DVD writer