Rating: 
Summary: Windows 2000 My Foot!!!!
Review: Roxio is not telling the truth when they claim CD Creator 5 Platinum works with Windows 2000. Talk about crash and burn; my system locks up just about every time I tried to close out the program. On the rare times the program didn't crash my system it would lock out my burner so I couldn't open the tray until I rebooted the system. No, I didn't install Take Two nor do I use and active desktop or have any Norton products on my system yet this program blue screened me time and again. Support from Roxio is poor at best. Installed the 5.01 patch and still the same problems. I would not recommend this program for any users of Windows 2000 Pro.
Rating: 
Summary: Windows 2000 Users... go elsewhere.
Review: I haven't had the system debilitating problems that other 2000 users have had, but I also never loaded Take Two and don't use CD creator for much more than, well, making storage back up disks and burning a few music CDs. Limited stuff. I *can* vouch for Roxio's poor technical support.Roxio's claim that CD Creator is 2000 compatiblen is less than honest. I won't repeat what others have said, but what hasn't been mentioned is that this product cannot be used unless one signs in as the administrator. This means that if you are using 2000 and taking advantage of the NTFS file system (to keep the computer "safe" from kids or others) you'll have to fork over the Admin password if they want to use CD Creator... or you'll have to run in it for them... every time. In speaking with Roxio, they showed little interest in removing this flaw. There are other CD burning titles out there. Send this company a message.
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad at all, even if you know what your doing...
Review: Yes, tech junkies shun this mighty package, but it really isn't that bad. I share my computer with some people who aren't as knowledgable about computers as I am, so I stuck with this to make their CD creation process easier, and found I had no problems with it myself. In face, Nero became a waste of space because this did everything I need, even if the interface can be a little too image-oriented sometimes. Now, I upgraded from the non-deluxe version of 4.0 so this was quite a big jump, although it may not be for Deluxe users who already had many of these features. For them, it's just a matter of improved interface & a few minor extras, not worth big bucks. Roxio (formerly Adeptec) Easy CD Creator 5 comes with all the necessary utilities for creating data and music CDs, video CDs, Picture discs, cleaning up your audio files and LP transfers, making exact copies of CDs and CD-Roms, and much more. Very nice package.
Rating: 
Summary: A reasonable upgrade and very well-integrated suite
Review: I will start with installation hints and then review most of the program's features in turn. WINDOWS 2000: - you need to download 5.01 (or later, of there is one) update for the suite so that it's fully compatible. Take-Two included in the 5.0 package has bugs that will crash your system. Roxio addressed this problem and now offers an "updater" that fixes the problems. Download the update and install it before you start using the software. Due to many other inconsistencies with the suite, it is ESSENTIAL that you download newest updates before you start using this program. In previous versions (marketed by Adaptec), each program had its own update history. Right now the suite is much more integrated, and so are the updates. DVD SOFTWARE: DirectCD may cause serious system failures that force you to reinstall system or dig deeply into emergency disk recovery system features. This flaws have been CORRECTED in version 5.0. Many popular DVD programs/decoders were incompatible with DirectCD. I want to share this information with you, as it can take a number of frustrating system reinstalls to figure it out for oneself. This edition, 5.0, is much less buggy than all previous versions and the purchase of the full-retail program is justified. SUPPORT: With OEM versions of the program you usually get the Easy-Creator program, with no technical support. Your only rescue is the web-based database of help. The whole suite is fully supported and for a few more bucks can save you a lot of frustration, should something go wrong. - - - EASY CD CREATOR/SOUND EDITOR: It contains enough improvements over its popular predecessor, ECDC 4.x, to justify purchase. One feature involves CDDB - online CD database integration. You no longer have to type titles. If your CD burner features so-called text option, you may burn audio CD with an appropriate title AND track titles - all without typing. If you plan to edit/combine/extract CD tracks, you have CD Audio Extractor integrated in ECDC one click away. This tool offers plenty of options for saving the audio file, more than Windows-included Sound Recorder. You can record the audio track in WAV, MP3 or WMA format with many sub options as for quality. Switching between qualities/formats is a snap. You have integration between ECDC and Windows Media Player - you can burn CDs using Windows Media Player! This means various video files, radio broadcasts and of course music. Windows Media format is increasingly popular, so it's really positive that ECDC is compatible. In fact, you have a recording studio included. Normally, in the past, you had to pay for separate programs specialized in audio conversion. Now, with Deluxe Edition of ECDC, you have both audio and video conversion studio for the price of one. There seems to be possible to extract audio from some DVD discs, but I haven't explored it yet. Version 5.0 allows you to burn DVD-RAM discs. It's nice that Adaptec goes in right direction. Except audio extraction/conversion, Adaptec ECDC has other primary function: you can create CDR/CDRW/DVD-RAM backups - use it if you don't need to alter the backed data later on - for instance, if you want to burn a spare copy of your program installation CD. DIRECT-CD: This small, but powerful program serves as a complement to ECDC. First, format your CDRW disc using DirectCD wizard (yes, format it like you format your hard disk). Deluxe package includes the newest UDF 1.5 readers (your DirectCD-formatted disc has this file structure). On a slow burner (2x-rewrite), it takes about an hour to format the disc. But what happens after! You can use your UDF-formatted-disc as a REMOVABLE DRIVE. It means that you can copy/paste/delete/manage/edit your files directly on CD from programs like Windows Explorer, Adobe Acrobat, Internet Explorer, or Office applications. If you work on an important publication (or whatever is important to you), then save your work to CD directly. then you do not need to worry about power outages, hard disk crash or backups. DirectCD is not the backup utility. It is more than that - dynamic backup storage utility. With DirectCD you also have CDRW eraser and scandisc - important tools. TAKE-TWO: Emergency system backup utility. This program works similarly to Microsoft Backup - you can back THE WHOLE SYSTEM on multiple CDs at once. It's a nice complement to tape/hard-disk backups. You don't use it everyday, but can be useful in emergency or when you want to clone the whole PC. SOUND STREAM/CD-SPIN-DOCTOR: A real gift for all people who remember the times of ferro-cassettes or black vinyl records. Yes!!! Right now you can connect your vinyl-record-player or magnetophone to your computer (line in/out) and record your priceless vintage records into CDs! I happen to have a large collection of old records that will perhaps never be available on CD. I am sentimental and want to listen to them, while preserving quality (vinyls and cassettes deteriorate in time, as we all know). With Spin-Doctor, I am happy, because I can not only burn CDs from records, but also EDIT the scratches and noise! That's a treat! JEWEL-CASE CREATOR: Integrated in ECDC this software allows you to project and print CD inserts, automatically downloading track names from the web. Every good graphics program offers you a template sized to CD case, but Adaptec program makes it very easy to edit text. And remember, this is text you don't have to type!!! Also, in the full-retail edition, you have Hewlett-Packard CD-Labeler included. Burn and label! VIDEO EDITOR: The video-clip editor is included for those who have videos recorded on a digital camera or camcorders. A nice addition for beginners. SUMMARY: Adaptec Easy CD Creator Deluxe has never offered such a powerful bindle of very smart and useful programs. If you handle installation with care, you will be very, very satisfied and pleased. It's worth every cent of its price.
Rating:
Summary: Don't put this stupid thing on Windows 2000
Review: After watching my registry go up in flames and my system refuse to start up, I can only say that this is some dangerous software for anyone running Windows 2000 Pro. If you try it, be damm sure you've backed everything up properly. I am really distressed over vendors who charge for software that they don't even bother to test. It's out and out lying. I would have gladly waited a few more weeks for stable version. I would actually like to be able to make CDs, but I'm definitely sending this turkey back.
Rating:
Summary: Very ST8 Forward
Review: I don't know why there are so many bad reviews about EZCD. I think it great. And note --> USER FRIENDLY <-- As long as you follow the ReadMe Instructions, you can't go wrong. People out there having problems, ALREADY had them. Quit blamin' EZCD. Because I never went to not a single computer class & picked it up within minutes of Install 2 yrs. ago when Adaptec EZCD 4.0 was released. And believe me, I've tried all the others only to find myself back with EZCD. If you wanna DJ, check out Cool Edit or Atomixmp3. Then finalize it with this. And just like Windows Me, Bug fixes are available at there Website.
Rating:
Summary: NO problem on Windows 2000 Pro.!
Review: I red some reviews about Windows 2000 compatibility. Some people said OK, some people said NO! Last week, I ordered this product from Amazon and installed. I tried lots of tests on Windows 2000 pro platform. I tested it on three computers; my company desktop, my laptop, and my home desk top. (all Windows 200 Pro) No problem found, all functions worked correctly. I'm working as a software engineer, especially for Windows 2000 & Windows CE application. Windows 2000 compatibility is a big issue in these days. We can find many Q/A topics about Windows 2000 difficulies in many Windows related sites. However, in most cases, the reason is hardware compatibility. Windows 2000 booting problem, install problem, .... almost all of these problems come from hardware compatibility. (Configuration is more exact expression than compatibility) Dual operating systems can make problem when we are using not only this product but also many products. It does not mean that there is any problem in Widows 2000 or special hardware. It means that windows 2000 configuration is more difficult than Windows 98. If your Windows 2000 OS is working correctly, currently you have no conflict between S/W's and H/W's, then, this product will work correctly on your PC. Excellent GUI, improved & added functions, and acceptable price... Personally, Easy CD Creator 5 Platinum is top on the line, now (March 23. 2001, 9:12 a.m.). * It is only for Windows 2000 Pro. Not for Server versions.
Rating:
Summary: HOPE YOU DON'T NEED SUPPORT!
Review: I FIRST PURCHASED ROXIO 4.0 FOR MY HP 8200 USB WRITER.HAD NOTHING BUT BUFFER UNDER RUN ERROR MESSAGES.THE SOFTWARE THAT CAME WITH THE HP WAS ALRIGHT BUT I REALLY WANTED A LITTLE MORE PIZAZZ.SO I WENT FOR THE ROXIO 4.0. AFTER SEVERAL CALLS AND WAITING ON THE PHONE FOR SOMETIMES AND HOUR FOR A TECH.MY BUFFER UNDER RUN PROBLEM WAS NEVER SOLVED.I CONTINUED TO CALL ROXIO AND TORCHURE MYSELF.AFTER CHANGING FILES RESETING POWER SETTINGS AND SEVERAL CHANGES (THEY THE TECHS AT ROXIO SO CALLED SUPPORT)MADE ME DO.STILL HAD THE SAME PROBELM ERROR #10 MESSAGE BUFFER UNDER RUN.SO STILL I MADE ANOTHER CALL TO ROXIO AND AFTER 2 HOURS ON THE PHONE LONG DISTANCE HE TELLS ME I SHOULD GO FOR THE UPGRADE TO ROXIO 5.0....SO STUPID ME I DID.GUESS WHAT,STILL BUFFER UNDERUNS.ONLY WORSE THEN BEFORE... BEFORE YOU BUY THIS PIECE OF JUNK I WOULD SUGGEST YOU TALK TO WHO EVER MADE YOU CD WRITER AND GET THEIR OPINION AS TO WHAT SOFTWARE TO USE AS THIRD PARTY.IT WILL SAVE YOU A LOT OF AGGREVATION AND SLEEPLESS NIGHTS.IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.
Rating:
Summary: Destroyed Windows 2000 OS Installation
Review: I upgraded to version 5 for Windows 2000, Roxio didn't provide any warning for their "KNOWN" bugs on Windows 2000. Now, the machine will not boot and Roxio has NO resolution. Don't buy it for Windows 2000!
Rating:
Summary: Just hope you don't need support!
Review: while this particular product, CD Creator 5.0, may work fine in most cases if you choose to use the default installs and not Take Two (see previous reviewer), I rate Roxio a minus one, and therefore the product a two. If you use Windows 2000 and have multiple disks or dual boot, forget it. Not only does the product not do well if you try anything sophisticated with it, but the company won't help you either. The support for their products is very poor. Not only do you have to call a toll number and have to wait on hold for upwards of an hour, but they are extremely unhelpful online as well. I would really recommend against any product from this company at all until the support attitudes and policies are changed. Please, let everyone you know who is looking for CD Creation software know to shy away from this company and their products.
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