Windows' answer to Apple’s much-hyped iDVD software, Roxio’s MyDVD is now on version 8. The Premier release brings a horde of new features including support for high-definition video, improved editing tools and an all-new interface.

Comparing the package to Apple’s software is actually a little unfair – MyDVD 8 Premier offers so much more than just the ability to create movie discs.

VideoWave, for example, lets you easily capture and edit video, add overlays and transitions, and then output the results in a variety of formats – including DivX HD.

The Premier version has a timeline function for more exact editing, and the latest update supports no less than seven tracks.

Elsewhere, Roxio’s Media Manager helps you find and organise your photo, video and audio files, and perform very basic photo-editing tasks, such as red-eye removal.

You also get Label Creator, a disc-labelling utility that’s compatible with Lightscribe drives for truly professional-looking results.

Building disc content is as easy as dragging and dropping, and the list of supported file formats is impressive. Templates provide ready-made backdrops and buttons for menus (they’re not quite as nice or flexible as Apple’s offerings), while a new tree-based Project View makes it simple to keep track of what’s going on and to re-order bits if necessary.

That said, moving elements around using this took some time on our test system – a 1.8GHz Athlon with 1Gb of memory. MyDVD 8 Premier also introduces the option to build straightforward video discs without any menus.

Those that want to get more involved can add background movies and soundtracks to each menu, split files with automatic scene detection or use the enhanced CineMagic option to create jazzed-up video or photo slideshows with transitions that can move in time to the beat of an imported audio files.

It works well, although performance does depend on matching your music with the right presentation filters. Another nice new feature is ‘Plug and Burn’, which lets you transfer a video from a camcorder to disc in just a couple of clicks.

Easy to use and packed with features, Roxio MyDVD 8 Premier is definitely the best version yet. At £50 it’s a great buy, but we’d also recommend Roxio's Media Creator Suite 8  at £60.

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