Unlock the power of your CD/DVD recorder with RecordNow Max
Unlock the power of your CD/DVD recorder with RecordNow Max. The New
Industry Standard and the recording software choice of HP and IBM! RecordNow
MAX is packed full of features to give you the perfect Audio, CD, DVD, Video,
Data and MP3 recording solutions. It's now faster and easier than ever!
Review
By Erik Holsinger
(05/31/02)
Adding a CD-ROM burner to your system can make your life a lot more fun if you
have the right software. We suggest RecordNow Max 4.0, a CD-recording software
package. Sure to please beginners and experienced users alike, this powerful
program can burn everything from data discs to VideoCDs (VCDs). If you have a
DVD recorder attached to your system, you can even use RecordNow Max 4.0 to
create archive copies of your favorite DVDs. While we found RecordNow's
documentation and online support weak, the program's easy-to-use interface and
flawless performance made it a joy to work with. If you burn CDs or DVDs on a
PC, you should use this app.
Interface for every occasion
One of the first things you'll notice after installation is that RecordNow Max
4.0 provides separate interfaces for casual and power users. On start-up, you
see the RecordNow Max Wizard interface, which guides you quickly through basic
CD-R-burning tasks. Using the RecordNow Max Wizard, you can copy discs or make
music and data discs, such as a disc full of MP3s, with just a few clicks.
However, if you close this window, the underlying interface comes to the front,
offering access to much more powerful tools. For example, using the advanced
Warp Drive feature, you can set up multiple CD-recording tasks with up to 64
CD-R drives, effectively turning RecordNow Max into a low-cost CD duplication
system.
Format extravaganza
When it comes to CD formats, RecordNow Max 4.0 can record just about anything.
It burns CD copies, data and bootable CDs, discs from a live audio source,
VideoCDs, and even--with a DVD burner--DVDs. However, while RecordNow Max 4.0
can record DVDs, it is not a DVD-authoring program. You'll still need a separate
application, such as Pinnacle Express DV, to create and format your video files
for playback on DVD players.
Sound delivery
We especially like RecordNow's ability to adjust sound resolution. This app lets
you rip MP3 files at bit rates of up to 320Kbps, for pristine MP3 recordings, or
set the resolution lower for recording longer-duration audio. We easily burned
an MP3 disc and played it without a hitch in everything from computers to car
stereos. In addition, RecordNow Max's DJ Burn tool lets you record sound sources
directly through your PC's sound card. It's no studio recording, but DJ Burn
could be a fun way to capture a family sing-along on the spur of the moment.
Mixed support
We found RecordNow Max long on features, but its documentation and online help
could use some work. The 28-page manual provides some help with basic functions
but lacks detail on the more complex functions, such as setting up multiple CD-R
recorders to work in tandem. Stomp's Web site doesn't offer much more
information, either, just a basic FAQ page and a list of supported drives, which
hasn't been updated in nearly six months. Given the power of the program, we're
disappointed that RecordNow Max doesn't come with better documentation. Still,
Stomp gives you 30 days of unlimited free, but not toll-free, telephone support,
Monday through Friday. Otherwise you can e-mail RecordNow Max tech support and
get an answer back within two business days.
It burns
Despite somewhat weak documentation, RecordNow Max remains one of the most
impressive CD-R-burning software packages available for the PC. The RecordNow
Max Wizard interface and advanced features make RecordNow Max a great tool for
both beginners and advanced users.
