Play, organise, edit, convert and share your media files with this value-for-money suite
CyberLink MediaSuite 9 Centra is a suite of applications to play, watch, edit and share your favourite media files.
PowerDVD 10 Standard, the suite's media player, supports playback for all the major video formats (and most of the minor ones, too) and DVDs. And if you're enjoying a film then you can now share the experience, making comments as you watch, then sharing them in real time on Facebook and Twitter.
PowerDirector 8 Deluxe will then take care of your video editing needs. Better than ever, too, thanks to the expanded 16 video timelines (up from 2), and a particle effects designer that allows you to create spectacular special effects.
Power2Go 7, the suite's disc burning package, includes useful extras like an ISO viewer and the ability to create interactive slideshows. Its support for the new 128GB BDXL format allows very easy archiving, too. Although PowerBackup provides scheduled backups, if you need them.
And the list goes on. PowerProducer 5.0 Standard will share your videos on DVD; MediaShow 5.0 Deluxe manages your photo collection, with speedy face tagging, instant photo fixing options and more; PhotoNow provides more advanced image editing options, and there are additional tools to edit audio files, create ring tones, design disc labels, build professional slideshows, and a whole lot more.
Centra is the "value" edition of Media Suite, and so it does have some limitations. In particular it can't play or create Blu-ray discs or 3D videos, and isn't able to convert media files.
If this is a problem, though, you can always try one of the other editions.
Media Suite 9 Pro is the next step up. It comes with MediaEspresso, which will quickly convert media files into your chosen format, and create play 3D videos and create Blu-ray discs.
And Media Suite 9 Ultra is the full-strength suite: it has all the features of Media Suite Pro 9, and can play Blu-ray discs, too - even Blu-ray 3D movies.
All editions of CyberLink Media Suite 9 are bundled with YouCam 4 Deluxe, a £36.99 value.
Review by Mike Williams.
