BlueSmoke - Review : Stomp Inc. RecordNow MAX

Date

: Jun 11th, 2002

Category

: Storage

Manufacturer

: Stomp Inc

Author

: Tom Smith

With current CD recorder prices being around $100 or so for a 16X and DVD burners on the horizon, the one thing that needs to be looked at is the software that is used in creating our own CDs. Granted that most, if not all retail CD burners come with some type of software. Normally this software is a cut down version of retail or as I have seen it may be a demo version. So what's the problem you ask. MP3s, DiVX, AVIs, and other movie files may not be supported with the software that came with the burner.

Today we have Stomp Inc.'s Record Now MAX on the test bench. Stomp Inc. has been around since 1996 and is no stranger to the CD/DVD recording world. With their famed Click'n'Burn behind them. They have released Record Now MAX. So what exactly is Record Now MAX? Without further ado, we'll get right into that.

According to Stomp Inc. Record Now MAX can burn anything you got, and I tend to believe them. From DVD burning to MP3 ripping it says that it can do it all. So far I have been using Record Now MAX on a daily basis for about a month, and I must say I have had less problems with this software than others that I have used.

So let's get into the meat and potatoes of it, shall we. Here are the features :

Features
Easy to use interface
Burn DVDs (requires DVD burner or combo CD/DVD burner)
Includes DLA allowing you to read and write to a CDRW as if it were a floppy disk
Unlimited MP3 ripping
Record to multiple burners simultaneously
ISO and global image file support
Create Video CDs (VCD) and bootable CD
Create Mix Mode CDs
Converts MP3 music on the fly

System Requirements

Pentium 200Mhz,Equivalent processor or better

Windows XP Home and Professional
Windows 2000 Workstation (up to SP2)
Windows ME
Windows NT 4 Workstation with SP4
Windows 98 SE

32MB RAM

25MB hard disk space

16 bit color, 800x600 or better

Mouse or other pointing device

Supported CD-Recordable or CD-Rewritable drive.

For the most part anything that you would like to burn there is a wizard for. Of coarse you can also choose to create your items with out one too.

When you start the music CD creation wizard you will be prompted as to what kind of music disc you would like to create.

After your selection of what type of disc will be created you will be asked to insert a blank recordable disc.

The next screen will ask you to select the files that you would like to add to the project.

After that just hit next to start recording. After the CD is finished burning it will automatically eject. Also right after the actual burning process the software will verify the CD to make sure that all the data matches the original source. This process happens for all types of discs that are burned.

CD copying has to be one of the most useful utilities out. I tend to use it to make copies of my music CDs that I take along in my truck. That way the originals do not get destroyed. (I tend to just throw the CDs in the center console when I am done listening to them).

Again you are presented with the wizard asking you to insert the source disc in to the CD ROM drive.

The software will once again verify the CD after it is recorded. You do have the option to turn this feature off and it will speed up the process a little.

For backups and copying files there is also a data CD option. This is the one that I most use. I use this to copy drivers, downloads, and any critical data files that I need to facilitate rebuilding of my computer. Since I do this about every 3 to 4 months.

Started by the wizard choose Make a Data Disc from the wizard. As always you will be prompted to insert a blank disc.

After the disc is inserted you will need to select the files that you would like burned to disc.

RecordNow MAX also includes DLA (drive letter access) that allows you to format a CD and use it like any other removable media.

For all of you that do not like wizards there is the option of doing everything manually.

I have been a user of Roxio's Easy CD Creator for some time now. Since I have had my hands on Record Now MAX, my preference has changed. I have probably burned 100 discs since receiving this product and I think that I have had one not burn correctly.

I have not had a chance to test the DVD burning, due to the fact that I do not have a DVD burner yet, but all other features work well. I was able to rip MP3s, burn Video CDs with ease along with coping CDs and creating CDs from a list of files.

RecordNow MAX has all the features that other software out on the market does. The interface is really easy to get around in. I think that Stomp Inc., has a really great product on their hands that can compete and hang with all the other CD burning packages out on the market. This product comes Highly Recommended.

I would like to thank Steve over at Stomp Inc., for providing the software for review.