Music and video

Nero 8
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

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium
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.

Final Cut Studio 2
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, 1.25 GHz, 2, DVD-ROM, XGA monitor, 1.25 GHz, MacOS, QuickTime 7.1.6 or later

Roxio Toast Titanium 8 for Mac
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

Nero 7 Ultra Edition
Nero 7 adds significant new features to this already impressive suite, furthering its reach to the living room and giving users a true bargain.
Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, 800 MHz Intel Pentium III, 800 MHz, 7, CD-R, SVGA graphics card with 8MB of memory, 800 MHz Intel Pentium III, 800 MHz, Windows, Internet Explorer 4.0 or later

Bias SoundSoap 2.0
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

Apple Final Cut Express HD
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

Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5
Specs: 1 user, Complete package, Microsoft Windows XP, 1.5, CD-ROM, Windows

Goombah Music Discovery (Windows 2000/XP)

Goombah Music Discovery (Mac OS X 10.4)