CeBIT 2002 - The Background Info

Software

New software came up during the CeBIT 2002 show. Ahead (makers of Nero), presented two new software named "Nero Vision Express" and "Nero Express". The first one is actually an authoring software for VCD/SVCD/DVD formats pretty simple, that plans to compete Sonic's MyDVD and NeoDVD, bulked with many DVD+RW retail kits.

We had the chance to see an early beta version of it during the CeBIT show and it looked very promising. We will have to wait and see how the final version will perform.

Nero Express is another new "toy" mainly focused for OEM use. The idea is to make the software as much simpler as it can be, without loosing the important features of Nero.

On the other side, Roxio was supposed to present their new DVD recording suite with the codename "Hitchok". However this product never appeared in the CeBIT show, since we he "heard" some bugs came up just before shipping. Let's hope that the final product would be more stable.

Since Roxio has bought MGI, in their booth you could find the new VideoWave 5 and other MGI software. Also as we heard, WinOnCD will continue developing since Roxio feels that WinOnCD has a strong base, at least in Europe. Lastly, VideoPack 5.0 was also demonstrated, (hopefully soon we will have a review for it).

Vob was another software vendor that showed a new version of InstantCD/DVD up to v6.4. This new version didn't support any major new features ,apart from a Virtual CD-ROM emulator called InstantDrive and several other features. Vob plans to add DVD authoring suite till summer and as we heard, plans also to introduce a new version of their "ProtectCD" anti-piracy solution. They did mention that CloneCD wouldn't be able to "backup" the new protection builds, but we will have to see about this when the first protected titles come up.

BHA's booth was small enough but had a few surprises. BHA's GOLD v5.0 is planned to ship soon with many new features and another DVD authoring solution with the name "Bs DVD" will also follow.

Lastly, we had the chance to test a beta version of the most famous CD software replicator with the name "CloneCD". Talking with Olli and the rest of the CloneCD team was very interesting and we enjoyed a lot. Apart from the new v4.x version, Olli plans to introduce completely new software for "CD-Mastering" use. This could be the end of traditional CDR software (Nero, Ez CD Creator)? Not really.

Olli plans to have limited mastering features (for example no support of CD-Text), and wants to give his software the "intelligence" to take decisions for you. Of course there are more interesting plans for the future (about DVD), but we promised not to publicize them :-)