Ahead Software is set to add full DVD+RW and DVD-R/RW support to Nero and InCD, while simultaneously making its own MPEG-2 plug-in available for purchase. Nero will now include DVD ISO/UDF/UDF Bridge, Bootable DVD, DVD Copy, and DVD Image. The latest upgrade of InCD, version 3, will incorporate UDF packet writing for compatible DVD+RW and DVD-RW drives. Supporting a multitude of formats and applications, Nero is the industry's premier CD Recording solution earning numerous accolades and awards worldwide for offering unrivalled power, performance and feature sets. InCD 3 is an integrated packet writing solution that has the utmost stability, ease of use, and compatibility, across all Windows operating systems. Automatically launched when Windows is booted, InCD 3 provides flexible drive letter access to the CD-RW, DVD+RW or DVD-RW drive providing simple drag and drop or direct save options within applications. Files can be saved, renamed and deleted, just as with other rewritable storage mediums such as MO, floppy, or hard disk. InCD 3 uses UDF v1.5 file system, the world standard file format endorsed by OSTA (Optical Storage Technology Association).

Nero's MPEG-2 encoder has been born out of a need for fast, highest quality 2-pass encoding, with seamless Nero integration for SVCD creation without the need for a separate application. Nero already includes a high quality MPEG-1 encoder, and this is also set to receive an update to make it the only choice for VCD conversion and recording.

Ahead's Nero MPEG-2 encoder will be available at the end of August directly from the Nero web site at www.nero.com. Nero, with DVD support, is available immediately for download from the Nero site with InCD Version 3.0 to follow next month. Ahead products can be purchased directly from www.nero.com or at local retail outlets.