OT: What version of Nero should I get?

BrianStanding wrote on 9/21/2004, 9:22 AM

I've seen a lot of posts about using Nero to burn DVDs and CDs rather than DVDA 2. I started to check this out on the web, and got hopelessly confused with all the variations of Nero flavors out there. There's a wide variation in cost, too, from $5 up to over $100.

Which of the following do you guys recommend?
- Nero Burn Rom 5.5
- Nero Express
- Nero 6 Suite
- Nero 6 Ultra Suite

I'm perfectly happy with Vegas as an Editor, and DVDA2 as an authoring program, so I'm really just looking for burning software. Can someone tell me what the difference is between all these beasts?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. I've been using the Veritas software that came bundled with my Pioneer A04 drive for data DVDs and simple duplication, with no apparent problems. Will Nero give me more versatility?

Comments

JJKizak wrote on 9/21/2004, 9:42 AM

Just make sure it's the latest software with the latest drivers.

JJK

BrianStanding wrote on 9/21/2004, 9:58 AM

That still leaves me with a price range of $5 - $100!

busterkeaton wrote on 9/21/2004, 10:04 AM

I use 5.5 and never upgraded. Nero 6 added a lot of features like video editing that I did not need.

I use DVD architect to burn video DVDs and Nero to data CD and DVDs and audio CDs. (Though I just started burning audio CD's through Vegas too.)

I would be wary of a $5 price for Nero, it's probably cracked software. Is there anything you think you are missing with Veritas? Is it buggy? Nero burns for me pretty good. Very rare that I have any problems. With burning software, you often have to totally uninstall one package to get another one to work. Because burning apps rely on very low-level system functions, I have run into compatiblity problems before. I don't know if that is still an issue with XP, but it was for me with W2K.

Catwell wrote on 9/21/2004, 10:23 AM

I have both Nero and the Veritas (Primo DVD). Nero is a light edition that came with my CD RW/DVD ROM. The Veritas came with my Pioneer A03. I haved used both to burn Video DVDs. Although the Veritas software seems to be data only, you can create a Video DVD by simply copying the VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders that DVD-A created for for you. I used them both regularly when DVD-A 2 refused to burn at 2X. The update version 2.0a has resolved that problem so I am now just burning from DVD-A.

Anyway you do not need Nero to burn your DVDs. You can use Veritas.

Rednroll wrote on 9/21/2004, 10:27 AM

I believe DVD burning wasn't available in Nero until version 6, so 5.5 won't do for what you need. If there's a simple Nero burning ROM v6, then I would go with that. Don't go with the ultra suite, you get a half assed audio editor which is slow and cumbersum compared to any of the Sony products and you get a media player, which you've already got one that does pretty much the samething with the Windows media player.

Former user wrote on 9/21/2004, 10:29 AM

The last version of Nero 5 will burn DVDs. I use it.

Dave T2

Bill Ravens wrote on 9/21/2004, 10:29 AM

Nero 5.5 burns to DVD. I never upgraded to 6...don't need it.

JJKizak wrote on 9/21/2004, 11:34 AM

The latest version of Veritas is "Record Now Max" and it is excellent.

JJK

Rednroll wrote on 9/21/2004, 11:38 AM

"Nero 5.5 burns to DVD. I never upgraded to 6...don't need it."

I stand corrected.

Thanks

johnmeyer wrote on 9/21/2004, 11:52 AM

Nero 5.5 is all you need. Get any version of 5.x on eBay and then upgrade to the latest (and final) 5.5 version from their site.

More information on this topic here:

Nero to Burn DVD

Rednroll wrote on 9/21/2004, 12:19 PM

I thought I was running the latest v5.5 on one of my PC's. I don't see anything regarding DVD burning, not even in the help file.

Here's what my help file says for new features for v5.5.
1. CD Extra
2.Video CD/ Super Video CD
3. Nero Wave Editor
4. Nero Cover Designer
5. Virus Scanner
6. Nero CD speed
7. Nero Image Drive

I'm running v5.5.4.0 is there a later version that added DVD burning?

Former user wrote on 9/21/2004, 12:40 PM

The last release of the 5.5 series (on their website) supports DVD burning. I had to load it when I got my burner.

Dave T2

B.Verlik wrote on 9/21/2004, 12:51 PM

Is there something wrong with Vegas DVD-A? I've never had a problem burning from Vegas. My Pioneer A05 will burn at 4X (actually it will burn a 1:37 DVD in 14.5 minutes. about 6X) I've even burned ripped DVDs with Vegas. (my own DVDs ripped with DVDShrink) What's all the hub bub about Nero? Is this just about making Data DVDs?

johnmeyer wrote on 9/21/2004, 12:53 PM

Rednroll,

If you have Nero 5.5, click on the link in my previous post and you will then get to a thread that gives you the direct ftp link to download the update to 5.5. I think ALL versions of 5.5 can burn DVDs. I have been doing it for almost two years.

When the "New Compilation" dialog comes up, there is a drop-down box in the upper left corner. It probably says "CD" on your system. Click on the drop down to change it to DVD.

Again, click on the link in my previous message and you will be given a link that explains how to burn DVDs using Nero. Complete step-by-step instructions.

BrianStanding wrote on 9/21/2004, 2:17 PM

Thanks, all!

aabell wrote on 9/21/2004, 2:52 PM

Warning, all of a sudden I couldn't burn DVD-RW with my Pioneer A07 and found that the problem was one of the Nero updates in their 6 series (can't remember which one)

Anyhow, if you install SP2 and get the latest Nero update, all works great (BTW, you need the latest build for Nero to work properly with SP2).

With the exception of the one update that gave me problems, I found Nero 6 excellent for burning any type of DVD.

MB

pete_h wrote on 9/21/2004, 3:06 PM

Rednroll, Nero might not be seeing your DVD drive.

I recently had a CD burner drive go bad, so I bought a new one. INstalled it and Nero refused to 'see' it. Finally I uninstalled NERO, then reinstalled it and volia, NERO saw the new drive.

Just a thought....

stormstereo wrote on 9/21/2004, 3:09 PM

Well, what about Roxio..? Just kidding!

When reading this thread I came to think of how many steps there are to make a DVD as compatible as possible.

1. Encode to Mpeg and AC3 with the "right" ware and make sure it's not too high a bitrate, or too low.
2. Author in the "right" environment to make sure it follows the standards.
3. Burn with the "right" software at the "right" speed.
4. Use the "right" media.
5. Use the "right" burner.
6. Play in the "right" stand alones or computer players.

Throw in dual layer for more confusion.

Aaaah, it's a wonderful world.
Best/Tommy

johnmeyer wrote on 9/21/2004, 3:29 PM

Is there something wrong with Vegas DVD-A?

People have run into these problems:

1. Not compatible with their particular burner.

2. Not as clever at making multiple copies as Nero.

3. Can't add "extra" folders to hold scripts, still photos, and other data files (obviously only useful when using the DVD in a computer drive).

4. Slow to burn lead-outs, especially when burning short projects on DVD re-writeable media.

5. Questions about compatibility (although I highly doubt that there is an issue with DVDA's burning engine related to compatiblity).

Rednroll wrote on 9/21/2004, 3:40 PM

"Rednroll, Nero might not be seeing your DVD drive."

Thanks for the further info Pete. Actually on the PC that I have v5.5 installed I don't have a DVD burner installed. But most software will allow you to use a virtual drive in this case, and the DVD features will be exposed. On another PC I upgraded v5.5 to v6.0 when I purchased a DVD burner. What I was thinking was that if I went into my v5.5 help file, you'll find a list of new features for 5.5 and it says nothing about DVD burning support. That's actually the reason I upgraded to v6.0 on the other system and not on the one that doesn't have a DVD burner.

I won't be able to check on the system that has the DVD burner installed, because when you upgrade from v5.5 to v6.0, Nero forces you to remove v5.5. Something that really p*ssed me off when I first upgraded to v6.0, because I don't like fully running a new version unless I have a backup to turn too.....like the Sony products, you can have multiple versions of a program on the same system and we all know new releases always seem to have some bugs you run into.

I'm going to see if there's an update for my v5.5.....but maybe I do have the latest version and the DVD features aren't exposed....seems odd though.

mhbstevens wrote on 9/21/2004, 8:47 PM

I just got 6 Ultra. If you want 5.5 I will give you mine for FREE! Yes, I'm that sort of generous guy.
See if you can download the 5.5 demo from the website and I will transfer to you my licence and serial number. I bought by download and have copy I put on disk if 5.5 not available now but I believe it is and the new downlaod is probably a more up-to-date version.
If you or anyone else is interested email me at michaelhowardstevens@earthlink(dot)net.
I will give original poster 24 hours then its first come first get. Only ONE licence can be transfered.

Mike Stevens

PS
5.5 is similar to 6 Ultra. Both are great mastering programs.