Creating customized DVD movies is a piece of cake with Droppix DVD Maker. The program takes care of everything so that you only have to worry about enjoying your favorite videos from the couch.

You can use any video files stored in your local drive (the program supports the most popular formats) or import videos right away from famous video websites like Youtube, Daily Motion or Google Video with just a single click. Droppix DVD Maker also includes several ready-to-use menu templates you can use to create personalized DVD menus, though the method to change them is not very well implemented (a double click on the current menu image would be much more intuitive than having to open the program's settings menu).

Another drawback to Droppix DVD Maker is the fact that you can't preview the video before converting and recording it to the actual disc, while other similar tools usually include a built-in player. At least the conversion process is easy and quite fast too.

Droppix DVD Maker lets you create customized DVD movies in a very easy way, but lacks some handy features found in other similar tools.

Download Droppix DVD Maker 1.5.0 in Softonic

With this software you can burn CD-R, CD-RW DVD+R/RW DVD-R/RW discs. It offers the following main features:

• Writes all kind of mediums apart from double-layer DVD (follows in next version)
• Burn audio-CDs with and without gaps between tracks
• Burn on the fly / Burn-proof
• Supports most IDE, USB, Firewire and SCSI drives
• Rip Audio-CDs to harddrive, obtain track-information (ID3-tags) from Internet
• Burn and create ISO-files
• Customizeable with many settings
• Data verification after burn, create bootable discs
• Bin/nrg->ISO converter, simple cover printing and much more

Download CDBurnerXP Pro 4.2.2.984 in Softonic

Easy Burning¡ provides a simple way to backup your files in a CDR/RW. Integrated into the shell or used as a normal application, Easy Burning is compatible with any CD writer. It allows you to write anything you like, including folders, files, and images.

Download Easy Burning 2.03a in Softonic

AVIAddXSubs is a simple-to-use, free program that incorporates subtitles (XSUB) from .srt (ANSI text, up to 8 srt) or idx/sub (containing up to 8 subtitles) into AVI files containing DivX/XVid video streams.

It works simply by placing the AVI and SRT file into the same directory as the videos you want to play. Your media player should automatically detect them when you open the file. However, what AVIAddXSubs can do is merge the subtitles directly into the video that's going to be played.

This doesn't mean that every time you play the film the subtitles will show however. You still need to activate them within the player that you're using. After this, you can delete the SRT file as it's no longer needed since it has been "burned" into the video. However, sometimes you will find that the subtitles simply do not appear. If this happens, you'll probably have to configure the positioning of subtitles in your video player.

AVIAddXSubs is a great way to avoid needing to include an SRT file with every video you want to view subtitles with but you may have problems locating your subtitles once they've been "burned" in.

Download AVIAddXSubs 8.0 in Softonic

Forget paying for a program to rip your DVDs to your computer because thanks to the wonders of open source, HandBrake is here to convert disks to MPEG for free. Considering it doesn't cost a dime, the application delivers exceptional results. Converting any type of DVD through a simple-to-understand UI, the program whizzes through the process of producing an MPEG-4 file to save on your machine.

You'll need to have the right codec installed for the type of file you wish to convert (DivX, Xvid, OGM, 3ivx, etc.) but HandBrake lets you perform two-pass conversions and to codify a double soundtrack. Another great feature is the bitrate calculator, which alters the quality of the video according to the final file size you wish to achieve. You can even trim the black bands around a movie to maximise the size of the file. Although I experienced a couple of crashes with this version of HandBrake, it's nevertheless a great open source solution for ripping your DVDs.

Download HandBrake 0.9.2 in Softonic

If you only need to burn a CD every now and then there's no need to install a mammoth
recording suite on your system. Simply use Totally Free Burner and you'll be fine.

Totally Free Burner is a minimalist CD and DVD recording tool with which you'll be able to
burn audio and video CD, data CD and DVD and also images in BIN and ISO formats. Just
make your choice on the program's main window and Totally Free Burner will take to the
next step, presenting you with a new window where you can select the data you want to
burn.

While I like simple programs, I think Totally Free Burner goes a bit beyond the limit. It's
nice to have a quick, straightforward app to burn your CD without hassle, but the
program lacks basic features such as a proper documentation and a complete settings
menu, more than just the few options you get when you're about to start burning.

Totally Free Burner is a simple, quick recording tool with which you can burn CD and
DVD, though configuration options are somewhat scarce.

Download Totally Free Burner 3 in Softonic

Esmas Player is a truly multimedia application that provides the user with almost any tool they may need to enjoy image, music and video files on the computer.

The program's interface is suspiciously similar to that of iTunes, which makes us wonder why is it that developers weren't able to come up with a more original design. Similarities to iTunes don't end here, though: as you'll see, you can organize your library, play your favorite songs, edit tags, listen to podcasts, synchronize contents with your portable music device and even buy music online. Some people may find this resemblance somewhat uncomfortable – like a cheap imitation – but it's also a way to make the program look familiar and be easy to use from the very beginning.

Leaving comparisons aside, Esmas Player goes a step forward and also enables you to organize photos and videos, and also features extended functionality such as a disc burner, a DVD player and support for online TV channels and radio stations. During our tests, however, I had the impression that some of its functions were not properly implemented or at least not as easy to use as I expected. Also, though the program's language can be set to English, both the installer and documentation haven't been translated from Spanish yet.

In all, Esmas Player works fine as an all-in-one multimedia organizer, but it still needs some improvements in usability – as well as adding the necessary distance between iTunes and itself in order to avoid odious comparisons.

Download Esmas Player 11026 in Softonic

Good solid free CD and DVD burning software is often hard to find. Just when you've got a problem with your default software or need something in a hurry, you'll find that most only burn a few minutes for free or you'll have to upgrade.

FinalBurner Free is the free version of the developer's range of burning software. FinalBurner Free allows you to create data, audio, DVD disks and burn them onto CD R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD DL. However, it does not burn to BluRay or HD-DVD for which you'll have to upgrade to the pro version.

Alternatively, FinalBurner Free can also create an ISO image of a disk if you want to copy a DVD in it's entirety. There are very few advanced features or complications with FinalBurner which makes it easy for beginners although if you need to customise the burning speed and burning method of FinalBurner Free according to the capabilities of your burner, you may find it limited. However, that is not to say that there aren't any options to customise a little in FinalBurner Free as there are. Of particular note, is a new option that makes the burning of CD abd DVD labels much easier via a setup wizard within FinalBurner Free if your printer supports it.

It's not a solution for new generation BluRay burning but for standard DVD and CD burning, FinalBurner Free does a basic but efficient job.

Download FinalBurner 2.1.0.130 in Softonic

Audials One is designed as downloader and converter for music that, via it's subscription fee, allows you to download and copy music without fear of infringing copyright laws

The program tries to help you discover the kind of music you will like Simply select the music genre that you're into and click on "Start". The music is all copyright free because it has been recorded from over 15,000 internet radio stations that the program is affiliated to. If you don't find the kind of music you're looking for among the 100,000 artists listed in the MusicFinder database of regularly-played music, you can use the Audials One Internet meta-search engine to locate and download the MP3s you want. Whatsmore, the program comes bundled with a limited audio, video & DRM converter plus a simple CD & DVD burner to burn your favourite tracks. The converter is especially useful for recording music onto mobile devices with around 30 different formats supported. The aim to is to allow you to play your music, audio books and videos on mobile phones, MP3 players, MP4 players, PDAs, PSPs, auto radios and Apple iPods. In addition, there's direct access to podcasts from the community of listeners plus ID3 tagging options to organise your library.

This is a solid music program for those that want to download and share music legally although inevitably, the full subscription fee may put some people off.

Download Audials One Music Video Loader & Converter 2.1.35709 in Softonic

Need to burn a CD or burn a DVD fast? Download and try Burn My Files: it's the one click CD and DVD burning software solution.

Burn My Files integrates with Windows Explorer. Select your file or folder, right click, and burn a CD or burn DVD. It's that simple. CD burning software and DVD burning software has never been made so easy. No more wasting time creating image files before your burn. Burn My Files writes directly to the CD or DVD.

Many DVD burning and CD burning software programs are unnecessarily complicated. If you don’t know what a ISO image is, or if CD Mastering is not your idea of a good time, then you can leave your troubles behind with Burn My Files. With just one click you can have your file or your folder burnt to CD or DVD straight from Windows Explorer.

Burn My Files does not waste time or system resources writing temporary files to the computer hard drive before the CD burn or DVD burn takes place. It writes data directly to the CD or DVD giving you an error free burn in the fastest possible time. This is new CD burning technology that was developed for our range of data recovery products where writing to the hard drive is not an option.

Download Burn My Files 3.0.1.77 in Softonic

Power Sound Editor is one in a long line of similar audio editing programs that gives you everything you need to edit, cut and splice your music but nothing particularly original.

The program is mainly useful for those that need to add sound effects or special effects to music and sounds. It's also useful for equalising sounds although not a great deal more than that. The good aspect is that it's a very GUI based program - i.e. it presents everything in graphical form usually via icons. These graphics represent the various actions you might wish to carry out such as ripping tracks, equalising sounds and cutting tracks. For novices, the cutting and editing is particularly easy as it allows you to do everything in visual form. In terms of editing, this means Delete, Cut, Copy, Paste, Paste From File, Mix, Mix From File and apply different effects i.e. Amplify, Delay, Equalizer, Fade, Flanger, Invert, Normalize, Reverse, MultiTapDelay, Silence, Stretch, Vibrato, Echo and Chorus.

This is hardly the most original music editor you'll ever use but it will have some limited appeal for beginners.

Download Power Sound Editor 5.96 in Softonic

Converting video to DVD format is obviously essential if you want to watch any of your favourite films or clips stored on your hard drive on your DVD player.

The likelihood is, most of your videos are in various formats so you'll need someway of converting them all without requiring a different program for each different format. Sothink Movie DVD Maker is designed for those that want maximum flexibility in this regard allowing you to burn to DVD format files from a wide variety of sources including AVI, MPEG, internet clips and those recorded by DVC or webcam plus virtually any other format you can imagine. When adding clips to the GUI, you can play your source clips to check that it's the right video you were looking for. Conversions can be cancelled at any time so if it's taking too long, there's no problem but it would have been much better if the developers had allowed us to pause conversion for completion at a later stage. However, they have added an option to extract video files to a DVD folder so that you can burn your films to DVD at any other time.

With the ability to add subtitles as well, you can create some surprisingly professional results with Sothink DVD Maker and it supports just about any format out there.

Download Sothink DVD Movie Maker 1.0.70424 in Softonic

When all you want to do is just burn a CD or DVD, huge suites like Nero are certainly not the most suitable solution. Instead, you should look for a simple recording application such as InfraRecorder.

This easy tool features everything you need to record both CD and DVD. It supports data and audio burning, dual-layer DVD and also disc images. It works with rewritable discs and can burn copies on the fly as well. Results are very satisfying, with just one small complaint: I'd like to have a sound normalizer for song compilations.

But the best thing about InfraRecorder is undoubtedly its simplicity, in every sense. It launches in a few seconds, enables you to drag and drop files, features very intuitive menus and even includes a reduced version (InfraExpress) for last-minute recordings. However, if you want to record MP3 files into audio CDs you'll need to download the decoder by yourself and copy it to the Program files – InfraRecorder – Codecs folder.

InfraRecorder is a simple and efficient tool for quick CD and DVD recording.

Download Infra Recorder 0.45 in Softonic

Morpheus is one of those age old P2P applications and, with support for Gnutella, eDonkey, Bittorrent and many others, probably the most versatile you can find on the market. The new version aims to turn the P2P client into the ultimate multimedia application. Does it succeed?

Morpheus has gone through a complete facelift and the new version brings a newer interface. The window is divided into 4 tabs: search results, my files, podcasts and Morpheus online, giving you an idea of what it considers important. A pane on the left side allows you to create playlists or keep track of searches and videos – although strangely not music. Morpheus lets you also sync all your downloaded files to import them automatically to iTunes. Oddly enough, the chat tool is now hidden at the top of the interface, next to help and preferences.

Morpheus wants to appear as a multifaceted app, not just a simple P2P program. It includes an embedded browser, Morpheus Online, from which you can check-out the internet or find new files to share while you’re downloading. This is particularly useful when you’re looking for new podcasts. By clicking on the podcast page button in the podcasts tab, you will be taken to Morpheus’ own podcast library. While it’s not as star studded as the iTunes library, it’s full of varied and original content. The podcast tab is wisely divided into podcast and episodes, so you can browse through what you’ve downloaded. However we were quite confused by the whole podcast downloading procedure. The progress bar is hidden in the file window of the My Files tab. Why didn’t Morpheus leave this in the podcast section?

Morpheus has also beefed-up its security. You can now select your antivirus application to automatically scan downloaded files. The program also includes solid parental control so you can enter hazardous terms into the block list to avoid your kids searching for violent or pornographic material. You can also add a password to make sure you control who has access to Morpheus. The application also introduces UDP technology to improve the performance of downloads and allow secure file sharing between 2 firewall protected PCs.

This new version comes with many interesting enhancements, but not enough to get us overexcited. Add to that the many drawbacks we found in the application. The interface for example is way too clunky, and it’s safe to say that lies in the two large ads at the top and the bottom of the program (which disappear if you buy the Pro version). The “My Files” tab has an additional file window at the bottom, which adds to the confusion in the interface. The one click burning function is something we were eager to try out but was nowhere to be seen.

However hard Morpheus tries at integrating cool features like web browsing or podcasting, we figure the application should only be used for what it’s good at i.e.P2P downloading. The program gives access to all the P2P networks, even Bittorrent, and the new version introduces safer and quicker transfer thanks to UDP technology. The other extra features in the application like the library structure or web browser felt a bit awkward, and therefore failed at turning the program into a true multimedia application. Let’s hope Morpheus gets it right in the future.

Download Morpheus Basic 5.5.1 in Softonic

Ever tried to send media or files to your friends? How much time did you waste compressing, resizing or even, burning a CD? Imagine a program designed to take care of all that for you, designed for people who hate to waste time as much as you do. That's Swapper, free software for fast media swapping with friends.

You can use Swapper for privately sending music, photos and videos to your friends. Swapper is a tiny application that takes seconds to install. To make things even easier, no registration necessary since you can use your existing AOL, Google, MSN or Yahoo ID to authenticate.

It's as easy as sending an email. To get started, click New Swap, drag-n-drop the files you want to send and enter your friends' emails. Your friends will automatically receive an email with instructions to pick up the files, and upload their own for you.

Swaps work like emails: when you are starting a new Swap, enter all of your friends' contact or email and attach your files. Each of them will be included in the swap and will be able to download the files and add their own, securely. It's also possible to Invite friends to an ongoing discussion -- or forward a file you liked to start a new swap with some other people, all in one click.

Fast

Swapper automatically compresses your media when sending and securely caches the files. As a result, your transfers are up to 100 times faster - or just instantaneous when resending something that's already been swapped.

Secure

All communications in Swapper are encrypted and password protected. What happens in Swapper stays in Swapper.

Works with email

To start swapping, simply enter your friend's email. Your friend will instantly receive an email with a link to access your files.

Online and Offline

Unlike Instant Messaging programs, with Swapper you can send files to friends that are offline.

Download Swapper 1.0.6 in Softonic

If you're tired of bloated burning suites, maybe BurnAware is what you're looking for. This simple burning application includes all the tools you need to record your own CD, DVD and even Blu-Ray discs.

The program starts up with a wizard-style interface that lets you select the appropriate recording task. You can choose between data and music discs, as well as DVD videos and ISO files. In all cases you may choose files and folders from the program itself or simply drag and drop files onto its interface. Also, notice the drop-down menu on the bottom bar, from which you can select the target size: CD, DVD, double-layered DVD and Blu-Ray.

BurnAware includes all the classical settings in a burning tool: support for multisession, a rewritable disc erasing tool and writing simulation among others, but lacks a more advanced configuration menu that enabled, for example, tweaking recorder settings to take full advantage of each disc's space. Another good idea would be to have some sort of very basic embedded tool to create a simple cover for your newly recorded discs. I guess this is just a matter of time - and future versions.

BurnAware is a basic, yet effective burning tool for data, video and music discs that supports Blu-Ray.

Download BurnAware 1.3 beta in Softonic

Burn4Free is an easy-to-use free burning solution that's compatible with more than 1200 CD/DVD drives. The application burns data and audio from different files types (WAV, WMA, MP3, OGG and .CDA (Import from Digital Audio Disc File)) Burn/Save .ISO file. You can use the program to verify content and import your audio compilation from .M3U and .ASX Playlists.

Download Burn4Free 4.4.0.0 in Softonic

Video DVD Maker allows you to get high quality outputs, even if you don't know the subtleties of recording technology. The intuitive interface leads you through a comprehensive set of logical steps to capture and output DVDs.

There is no need to get your camcorder and TV set connected. In fact the only thing needed is to create a DVD and put it into the player. The program enables you to capture video from various video devices, including TV tuners, web cameras, DVs, plus imported video from any video files, including AVI, DIVX, XVID, MP4, MPG, WMV, & MOV.

You can easily play these DVD-videos on your home DVD player after burning on a CD/DVD R/RW disk. Moreover, this product features a small-sized distributive and free utility program to create your DVDs.

Key features of the program:

• Capture from any video device (DV camera, web camera, TV tuner, etc.)

• Import from any video file (AVI, DIVX, XVID, MP4, MPG, WMV, MOV, etc.)

• Burn to any type of media (CD R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, etc.)

• Intuitive user interface

Download Video DVD Maker Free 3.8.0.18 in Softonic

Have you ever been worried of losing your archive of e-mails? MailStore Server is an alternative way of storing your precious mails.

The program supports multiple clients including those offered by Microsoft and Mozilla. This means it can work with Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail Accounts Exchange, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey mail accounts and those based on the POP3 or IMAP protocols. To set it up, you select the type of customer or mail account you want to use, establish a connection and then instruct MailStore to back it all up. While you are backing up email, you are kept informed of the status via messages delivered to your internet browser and if your files and attachments are too big to be backed up, there's also a compression tool and functions to export and burn your backups. The advantages to all this are several - first of all it provides you with peace of mind that your mail is backed up, it keeps all your e-mail in one place and it also frees up valuable space that may be being taken up on your server. It can also be an invaluable resource in the case of legal disputes to have backed up e-mails as evidence.

If you need a fast and easy way to backup your e-mail from a non web based client, then MailStore Server is as simple as they come.

Download MailStore 2.5.1 in Softonic

Software applications are being constantly improved with every new version. Bugs are fixed, designs are polished, new functionalities are added. But sometimes they become too bloated, often losing sight of what they were created for in the first place. So for instance, whenever I need to record a CD or DVD, I no longer turn to Nero but use DeepBurner instead.

This neat program allows you to record CD or DVD in a very simple way: every time you launch it you see a project selection window where you can choose what to do (create a data disk, create an audio CD or burn an ISO image) and you're then guided through a few easy steps in a wizard-like process.

Despite its basic appearance DeepBurner features a large variety of tools and options for your recording needs: support for multisession disks, the ability to erase rewritable media and even a built-in editor to create and print your own custom CD covers and labels. There's also the option to create ISO image files, although you need to follow a small workaround to get to it: run the program and choose "Create data CD/DVD" in the project selection window. Select the files and folders you want to include in your ISO and when you're done click on the "Burn Disk" button. In the next dialog you'll be able to choose "Save ISO" instead of actually burning the data onto a CD.

On the down side, DeepBurner could be criticised for being too simple, especially when compared to big recording suites such as Nero or Roxio. It's perfect if you just need to record a CD from time to time, but if you're looking for something more then you'll miss features like volume normalizing or being able to create copies, to name just a few. In any case, DeepBurner is a perfectly valid option for those who prefer avoiding complicated programs and prefer the simplicity of an app focused on one single ability: recording CD's and DVD's.

Download DeepBurner Free 1.9 in Softonic