Refocusing on disc-related features makes Nero the top choice for optical disc authoring.

So it's not perfect. And comparing Nero 8 with Roxio's EMC 10, the latter still has the edge on quantity of features for the money. But Nero's abilities are directly aimed at its core market: burning files to disc in an orderly and flexible way....

You still get a lot for your money, but HD optical burning only extends to data discs

Roxio EMC 10 Suite has a heap of new capabilities. But chances are you'll only buy it for a few of them, and most likely these will be disc-related. In this respect, the key improvement is support for HD DVD - Nero 8 offers much more. So although EMC 10 i...

Piranesi gets the major overhaul of interface and tools that its extraordinary creative power deserves

It all makes for an impressive upgrade to an already unique combination of 3D and bitmap power, which will appeal to both novice and expert alike.

Improved interface and drawing capabilities, new photo matching and hand-drawn effects - and it's still free

Starting with its ability to "sketch up" 3D models and ending with its apparently hand-drawn output, Google SketchUp would be an extraordinary program at any price. If you've ever thought about getting involved with 3D, here's the perfect entry route: sur...

Surround-sound support and mastering-quality plug-ins mean Sound Forge is better than ever.

For new users, the Mastering Effect Bundle adds significant value to the package and is likely to hold more allure than the impressive but niche WaveLab Spectrum Editor. Sound Forge's smoother, friendlier operation and lower price mean it remains our top...

AVCHD support and some useful new effects keep this as the leading entry-level video editor.

As with the previous version of VideoStudio, the best additions have been saved for the Plus edition. This is required if you want to edit HDV or AVCHD, and is the only version to support burning to HD DVD. It also comes with a copy of WinDVD 8 Silver for...

Editing performance with HDV remains sluggish, but DV-editing ability is formidable.

Liquid 7 will appeal mostly to its existing core audience, who appreciate its ability to take footage from tape to optical disc all in one interface. The wedding and corporate video crowd will also find the inclusion of SmartSound handy. By simply specify...

HD editing finally heads to the desktop in this major update to a favourite consumer editing package.

There are more fully featured editing programs available with interfaces that model traditional editing software and pack more sophisticated tools, such as Adobe's Premiere Elements. However, Pinnacle Studio 11 is a more beginner friendly, is decent value...

Fantastic looks and comprehensive features Lightroom is a winner for improving workflow efficiency.

Lightroom is a superb application, however, particularly for a first effort. It will need plug-in support to tear fiercely loyal and often idiosyncratic photographers away from their favourite tools, but it's already well on the road to becoming a standar...

Improved interface, object and layer handling, plus integrated 3D painting add greatly to power, usability and value

This really is extraordinary power, and Maxon is still selling BodyPaint 3D 3 as an add-on module for users of 3ds Max, Maya, LightWave and XSI. The full Cinema 4D 10 package (which includes BodyPaint) is roughly the same RRP. That just shows what a barga...