NTI Media Maker 8 Review

Photos, Videos
The video application doesn’t go overboard with advanced features and capabilities which we found very refreshing.  For us the idea of getting the content from the camera to viewing as quickly as possible is where the real fun is – not spending a lot of time editing/authoring.

While you can go in and individually work on the photo and video segments, it will automatically adds effects and transitions which synchronize with your background music.  The photo slideshow capability makes it quick and easy to produce a photo slideshow.  In almost no time you can  add personalized audio, super transitions and very professional looking special effects including the ability to pan, zoom, rotate, crop and add text to the photos.

The software includes a video converter that converts videos for use on an iPod, PSP, iPhone/smartphone or other portable video players.

NTI has long had a DVD Fit capability that lets you store 8.5GB dual-layer DVD movies onto a single 4.7GB single layer disc without having to burn the content to two discs.  In addition, while the software does support next generation Blu-Ray discs it also writes to all types of DVDR media including the new Double Layer (DL) 8.5GB discs.  This means you to store up to 4 hours of theater quality, play anywhere video, 120 hours of MP3 audio on a single disc.

NTI’s intelligent software actually detects the correct speed required for your drive and media.   The software automatically chooses the correct writing method and includes CD/DVD overburn support (you can burn to the very edge of the disc for more capacity) as well as buffer underrun and built-in caching.

Content Protection
With almost everything being digital today – documents, photos, video, music – the addition of a backup/recovery solution is something you never appreciate…until you need it!

The NTI Backup NOW lets you backup files and folders or everything.   It even backs up emails and important files and was worth the cost of the complete package when the wife accidently deleted several files.  Users can schedule full or partial backups.

Like the company’s more comprehensive backup/recovery software it includes 128/256-bit data encryption and password protection as well as email notification and migration. For people like ourselves who tend to forget things, the software can be set for scheduled unattended backups (full, incremental or differential).

The software features a wizard-driven interface and on-the-fly data compression capabilities.   The compression makes it possible to store up to 1.4GB of vital data on a CD or up to 9.4GB on a single-sided DVD disc.  Because today’s hard drives are large and getting larger, the software features automatic media spanning over multiple discs as well as drive spanning over multiple target drives for a complete, unattended backup of the hard drive.

Green Product
NTI probably didn’t jump on the conservation bandwagon as a part of the overwhelming green movement, Media Maker 8 had a feature we thought was “logical” and one that made our kids appreciate the company.

Once you’ve set up a task, the company designed in a capability that lets you walk away from the computer and let the editing/authoring/burning steps go through the entire process…even over night.

They included a feature that will automatically put the computer in hibernation or standby mode when the work is complete.  Or if you want you can set it so the PC will turn off or log off the computer when the task is done.

The NTI Media Maker 8 works with Windows 200/XP/Vista systems and is a great value at under $80.  For more information visit www.ntius.com.