All Music and video

The Bottom Line: The V Cast Music with Rhapsody experience is easy to use and understand, and, by combining both the mobile download and the Rhapsody subscription service in one monthly plan, delivers considerable bang for the buck .

The Bottom Line: Nero 8 shows off a new interface for getting started that makes the many tools easier to find from the get-go. Some welcome new features include HD support, although this rich suite can still confuse.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 SP1, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit versions), Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, 1 GHz, 8, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, HD-DVD, DVD-ROM, SVGA monitor, 16 bit sound card, 32 MB video memory, Internet connection, 1 GHz, Windows, DirectX 9.0c, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later

The Bottom Line: Adobe CS3 Production Premium is ideal if you handle a mix of design, animation and editing tasks for video, the Web, and mobile gadgets. However, beginners should think twice about the splurge, and film pros without deep animation needs should probably stick to Apple Final Cut Studio 2 or AVID.

The Bottom Line: Final Cut Studio 2 is a solid value and worthy upgrade for serious film editors who work on Macs. However, hobbyists should consider simpler software.

Specs: 1 seat, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.4.9, 1.25 GHz, 2, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 1.25 GHz, MacOS, QuickTime 7.1.6 or later

The Bottom Line: Roxio continues to improve a strong suite and keep Toast current with the release of version 8. If the Mac OS and Apple's bundled apps don't meet your disc-creation needs, pick up Toast at once.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 8, CD-R, DVD-R, MacOS, QuickTime 7.1 or later

The Bottom Line: Roxio Popcorn 2 is a simple and excellent solution for users who have lots of unencrypted DVDs that they want to copy or who have video files sitting on their hard drive that they wish could be on their video-friendly iPod.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.0.4, 2, MacOS

The Bottom Line: If you want to clean up noisy audio files or improve rough sounding camcorder footage, Bias SoundSoap 2.0 fits the bill.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Apple MacOS X 10.2, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, 400 MHz, 600 MHz, 2, CD-ROM, 400 MHz, 600 MHz, MacOS, Windows, QuickTime 6.5

Editors' Take: Final Cut Express HD is Apple's first affordable high-end video application to include the HDV standard.

Specs: 1 user, Complete package, 500 MHz, 500 MHz, MacOS