Pinnacle Instant CD/DVD 8.01

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

The options are: preparation of audio and video content, and 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.

Note: This is a large download (340MB) and therefore is recommended for broadband users only.