We have reviewed Nero Vison Xtra in our Nero Video Premium HD Review which you can check out for details. We will be concentrating this review on the two other modules that are part of Nero 10 Multimedia Suite Platinum HD.

Nero adds many different modules to its start menu folder, which can be confusing at first as it is not always clear what each module does.

The two core programs installed are Nero BackItUp and Nero Burning ROM.

Nero BackItUp Review

Nero BackItUp is a backup software program that can perform a variety of backup related tasks which including backup and restoration of data but also syncing of data.

The menubar on top leads to the available modules. The backup module offers the following options:

• Autobackup, Configure automatic backups that are run on a schedule. Recommended to backup on an empty NTFS formatted external hard drive.
• File Backup, Select files for backup using a built-in file browser. Supports network files as well.
• Drive Backup, backup data on one of the connected hard drives or partitions of the computer system
• Verification, verify the integrity of a previously created backup.
• Job View, lists all backup jobs.

Backups can be stored on hard disks, optical discs, removable devices, network storage locations or online storage.

Backups can be scheduled so that they are executed regularly. Additional backup options include compressing files that are backed up, using encryption to protect the files with a password and a list of expert options which include scripting support, email notifications, purging backups and status notification logging.

Previously created backups can be restored from the restore menu which is divided into file and drive restores.

Sync is the third option of Nero BackItUp & Burn which can be used to sync folders on the same computer system. All it takes is to select two folders on the system (including remote network locations) and configure the type of synchronization. The synchronization options are extensive and can be scheduled again to be run regularly on the system.

Tools finally can be used to create a disaster recovery disc which can be used along with previously created backups to restore the computer system to a previous state. That’s important in cases where the operating system does not boot anymore.

Nero BackItUp & Burn is a comprehensive backup and restoration software for the Windows operating system.

Nero Burning ROM Review

Nero Burning ROM is a CD, DVD and Blu-Ray burning software for the Windows operating system. The program starts with an easy to use wizard that can be used to select a new burning job. Users first need to select what they want to burn, e.g. an audio CD, data CD, ISO image or DVD video. Nero Burning ROM will automatically switch to the correct output disc format depending on the data selection of the user.

Feature overview:

• Customized Burning and Copying Options – Burn and copy to CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs or save disc images to hard drives, networks, and USB devices or span oversized files to multiple discs and different disc types.
• Advanced Disc Data ProtectionAdvanced Disc Data Protection – Add state-of-the-art SecurDisc protection to your burned discs with personal passwords, encryption options and digital signatures. Get alerts before disc data deteriorates, allowing for time to back up.
• Long-Lasting Disc Data ReadabilityLong-Lasting Disc Data Readability and Content Quality – Ensure that burned data is readable regardless of scratches, age, or deterioration with cutting-edge SecurDisc technology.
• Convenient and Easy-to-Use OptionsConvenient Features That Do More Than Just Burning – Go beyond just burning and erase rewritable discs with the option to effectively retrieve data, convert audio files into other formats or rip Audio CDs directly with album cover, song titles and artists names.

Nero Burning ROM supports the two most common disc image formats ISO and IMG, as well as all Nero-native formats. The program lacks support for other disc formats though which at least some users may encounter from time to time.

Nero 10 Multimedia Suite Platinum HD Verdict

Nero 10 Multimedia Suite Platinum HD installs many different programs on the computer system offering backup, video editing and burning modules among many smaller utilities like a cover designers or video recoding. The sheer amount of programs can be confusing at times, especially for first time users. On the positive side though it removes the need to hunt for one of the supplied programs if they are needed for an operation.

The installer will install the Ask Toolbar if not unselected during installation.

Nero 10 Multimedia Suite Platinum HD Giveaway

We have five licenses to give away. Please let us know what you are currently using for your backup and burning needs.

A full version of Nero Burning Rom is required as well, it does not currently work with OEM versions of Nero and it is doubtful if Nero Micro and Nero Lite are supported but I cannot say that for sure.

The only other requirements are an operating system that is either Windows 2000 or Windows XP, no word on Windows Vista support yet.

This could come in handy for users who need or have a supported autoloader and burn multiple CDs and DVDs on a regular basis.

Update: The product is no longer available on the developer website. When you open it, you receive a 404 error. The product is no where to be found on the site, and it is likely that it has been discontinued. The QQhandy software on the other hand is still available on the site, but without product availability, it is not of use anymore either.

Update 2: DupliQ is again listed on the website, but in another location. The model can be loaded with up to 25 discs, with the autoloader capable of loading and unloading discs automatically.

DupliQ is the smallest portable CD, DVD and Blu-Ray auto-loader, according to the developer. The product weights about 10 pounds. The device retails on the developer website for $645 US Dollars.

Before I started removing it I had to find out why it was there in first place. What’s the purpose of Nero Scout ? It turns out that Nero Scout cataloges media files on the computer and stores the information in a database that is being used by other Nero applications. Something that I do not need at all.

Thankfully though it is quite easy to remove Nero Scout if you are using Nero 8. Just start the Nero Scout application from the Start Menu, it’s hidden in the Nero Toolkit menu. Once the application has started it offers two options that disable Nero Scout completely.

I think it should be sufficient to uncheck the Enable Nero Scout option so that Nero Scout will not index media files and that it will not appear in Windows Explorer anymore. Since I wanted to make sure it did not appear in Windows Explorer I unchecked both options starting with the Integrate Nero Scout in Windows Explorer one.

The results can be seen immediately.

I find it rather interesting that Ahead, the developers of Nero, have created the so called Nero Clean Tools that clean a system after uninstalling Nero on it regularly. The tool is intended to be used after the uninstallation and takes care of any remaining Registry entries and files on the hard drive. It mainly was designed to fully remove Nero when an uninstallation did not work correctly.

The Nero Clean Tool is available for Nero versions 5 to 8 plus a version for InCD 4. The page sounds a bit misleading because the short description describes the Nero Clean Tool as a way to cleanup when an uninstallation did not succeed. If you read the instructions though you will notice that they suggest to use the Nero Clean Tool to uninstall Nero completely without mentioning the Windows uninstallation process at all.

I guess it is save to use the Nero Clean Tool exclusively to uninstall Nero from a computer.

Let me explain the functions that I really need it to support. The software should be able to burn CDs and DVDs both in image formats like ISO or IMG but also folders and files for archiving purposes. It should be able to burn music CDs although I rarely use that feature nowadays. It would be nice if it would have one or two context menu entries that would allow me to burn images right from the context menu.

That’s really all I need. Everything else would be a bonus unless it would slow down the application. A perfect application would load as fast as possible, show no splash screen and let me pick what I want to do right away. Now it’s your turn, what is the best free burning software in your opinion ?