Pinnacle Instant CD/DVD 8

Pinnacle's Instant CD/DVD is a bit of a mixed bag. It's actually a collection of separate utilities wrapped up in a tidy interface. The program presents you with a simple list of tasks that you can perform, and then launches the utility you need for that operation.

The options on offer break down into four main areas - the preparation of audio and video content, then the creation and copying of CDs and DVDs. Some of this is throwaway stuff, such as the DVD player and the basic disc burning tools. If you've got a CD or DVD burner then you'll already have software that does this.

More useful is the Instantwrite option, which allows you to drag and drop files onto a CD or DVD and treat it just like a big floppy disk. Instantcopy provides a handy way to duplicate discs, and is very useful if you distribute a lot of your own material.

The Instantaudio MP3 player provides fairly standard MP3 ripping and encoding options, but is beefed up by a mixing desk and some fun audio effects such as 'fuzzbox' and 'grungelizer'. There's also a more powerful 16-track mixer called Instantmusic, allowing you to record and arrange your own original compositions. Finally, Pinnacle throws in Expression, an easy-to-use - though rather basic - DVD authoring program.

That rather motley assortment of features may not appeal to everyone, but at this price, Instant CD/DVD 8 is good value for audio buffs and anyone who does a lot of disc burning.

Contact: Pinnacle Systems 01895 424 228
www.pinnaclesys.com

Specifications:

• 500MHz processor
• Windows 98SE or later
• 64MB Ram
• 40MB hard disk space
• CD or DVD burner