Program Run-through

On launching the StartSmart application, we’re greeted with the main start up screen, which is neatly split into sections.

Rip and Burn

As we can see, the Rip and Burn section offers us lots of different options:

• Rip Audio CD – here we are given the option to rip our audio CD into .wav, .ac3, .mp3 and other popular file formats.
• Burn Audio CD – Creates a standard Audio CD that will play on all CD players.
• Burn Jukebox disc – here we have the option to burn an audio CD, an Audiobook CD, a Jukebox Audio CD, or a Jukebox Audio DVD.
• Burn Data Disc – Burn data discs which contain files and folders.
• Burn Video Disc – under this option, we are offered the choice of Video CD, Super Video CD, or DVD-Video files.
• Copy Disc – Copy a disc in not time, either on the fly (default setting), or to your hard drive first.

Create and Edit

Here are the features listed in the Create and Edit section:

• Edit your photos – Edit your photos and improve their quality with Nero PhotoSnap.
• Make photo slideshow – Create a photo slideshow which can be played in a regular player.
• Mix, compose and Scratch Audio Files – this opens up Nero Soundtrax 3, allowing you to make mix CDs, and make 5.1 and  7.1 surround projects.
• Edit and record Sound Files – Cut, clean, and modify your sound files.
• Author, Edit and Capture video – Create and Edit your video files.
• Create Disc Label or Cover – this opens up Nero CoverDesigner, which you can use to make CD/DVD covers, and also LightScribe/Labelflash projects.
• Recode Video Files – Reduce/convert the content of non-protected video files.
• Convert Audio Files – Converts music files from one format to another.

Home Entertainment

In here you’ll find everything to suit your home entertainment needs:

• Play Audio – Play your favourite audio files.
• Play Video and Slideshow – Play videos and slideshows.
• View Photos – View your favourite images and transform your PC into a photo album.
• Manage Media via TV – manage your different media with your TV remote control
• Record From TV (PVR) – Record and burn TV shows.
• Share your Music, Photos and Videos – stream your music, photos and videos to various devices
• Watch Live TV – Watch your favourite TV shows.
• Manage Internet Services… – Subscribe to videocasts etc
• Stream TV – Stream your TV programs to various devices.

Back Up

Here we have all sorts of options for backing up your PC data:

• Back Up Data – Back up your files and folders from various devices.
• Restore Backups – Restore your data from back ups with one click.
• Schedule Backups – Define and Manage your schedule for regular backups.
• Create Disaster Recovery Disc – Create a bootable disc to restore a drive backup.
• Copy Disc – Copy a disc in no time.

Handy Tip:

A nifty feature in StartSmart 8 is the Launch Applications menu – here you can add shortcuts to all your favourite Nero applications, and launch them with just one click, as shown in our screenshot here:

With our First Look complete, let’s head to the next page for our conclusion….