Refocusing on disc-related features makes Nero the top choice for optical disc authoring.

The future of storage is expensive, for now. That aside, how do Blu Ray drives compare to DVD drives?

Primera's Bravo is designed to produce large numbers of professional quality CDs on short order: it combines a 40x IDE CD burner and a CD printer, and it also comes with a robotic arm to automate the production process.

Primera's Bravo is designed to produce large numbers of professional quality CDs on short order: it combines a 40x IDE CD burner and a CD printer, and it also comes with a robotic arm to automate the production process.

There are now literally dozens of MP3 players on the market. However, the arrival of MPZoos MP3 Disc Player brings a slight change in direction

The menu setup panel is where DVD menu layouts are customised with thumbnails, backgrounds and music.

Designed in Melbourne, the Century CD can store up to 100 discs but instead of using the shelf-like arrangement of the Fortuna (reviewed March 2002, page 90), the Century CD sports a turntable arrangement reminiscent of old carousel slide projectors.

Like its direct competitor Ulead DVD MovieFactory, Pinnacle Express can be used to create VideoCD and SVCD discs as well as DVD titles. Unlike Ulead's program, however, it supports slide shows as well as video...

Blu-ray takes another tentative step towards the mass market, but is now the time to buy?

DVD is said to be to movies what CD was to music. Well-filmed DVD movies are better in all respects than those recorded on VHS, so the idea of a digital video camera recording direct to DVD disc would appear sound.

According to analysts at IDC (International Data Group),DVD is now the fastestgrowing consumer electronic technology ever.

If your desk is anything like mine, the monitor is ringed with untidy stacks and toppled piles of CDs. It's not all chaos - there's a chronological order to it - the most recently used discs are those thrown on top.

Add high-definition reading and writing capabilities to your PC with a Blu-ray drive, or save money with a plain DVD writer

A hint of things to come, but the first HD DVD and Blu-ray combo drive is very expensive.

There is not a huge difference between this and the MV550E. In fact, if you put them side by side you have to look closely to see the difference in looks, which is model number in small print on one side.

HITACHI DZ-MV208E

Not only slightly cheaper than the last version, but now Encore CS3 and OnLocation CS3 are included too.

HD DVD support is the big new feature, but the automated ad-removal tool and enhanced menu customisation make this a great app for the money.

If you don't care about recording to disc, you'd be better off with a TiVo. If you're looking for an all-rounder to tide you over until Blu-ray prices fall, Panasonic's DMR-XW300 has a lot to offer.

Now that Blu-ray has won the format war and recorders are hitting the shelves, Panasonic's DMR-BW500 HDD/Blu-ray recorder with twin HD TV tuners is looking mighty nice indeed. For high-def buffs this is one with the lot.