Roxio's Easy Media Creator 8 boastfully claims to be the "all-in-one digital media solution" that will take any audio, video, photo and text files and sort, copy, combine and edit them together in a user-friendly manner.

At the heart of the software is the Home page which is designed to initiate many of the programmes contained on the two discs without having to go through reams of other folders and sub-menus. If you need basic instructions on how the processes work, then a handy icon directs you to a range of online tutorials. The interface throughout is clear, logical and uncomplicated; exactly the right appeal for both novices and the more experienced practitioners of data manipulation.

Obviously the main function of the Suite is copying material onto discs. Disc Copier enables you to make backup copies of CDs and DVDs and to convert DivX or WMV files to DVD-Video format. If you wish to backup all of your system or just a few important folders, then this is easily achieved through Backup MyPC 6. In addition, Drag-to-Disc takes the pain out of burning (as the name implies) and Creator Classic can be used to archive large projects to multiple discs as well as to encrypt material for security purposes.

The most fun that can be had with this package is by using Media Import and Media Manager to grab all the photos, videos and audio files on your computer and then sort them into infinite variations. What's especially useful is that all your photos, for example, are automatically gathered together from far flung files and presented to you in one folder so you don't have waste huge amounts of time hunting for them individually. You can even share photos over the Web with your nearest and dearest through an application called Liveshare.

A certain amount of photo enhancement and editing can be done through the provided PhotoSuite but if you already own Paint Shop Pro X or PhotoShop then you'll know these have far superior photo correction and manipulation features. Although if you just want to knock off some personalised calendars, greeting cards or collages, then these can be swiftly and impressively created.

On the video side, VideoWave will permit you to combine audio and home videos and then you can capture them on DVD using the newly included Sonic MyDVD, adding menus, narration, transitions and animated backgrounds. The finished product can then be played back via Sonic's CinePlayer (another new face since the last version) which can handle VCD, SVCD and DVD formats with comfort.

Lastly, the sound element has been improved with the inclusion of a new LP & Tape Assistant that will let you capture audio from analogue sources and then store it using Music Disc Creator onto DVD, CD or in MP3 form; in the latter case, storing up to 50 hours on one DVD.

Finally, a word of warning. You will need to allow for 1GB of disc space so make sure you have plenty of room on your hard drive.

A practical, user-friendly and versatile compendium that has made significant improvements on the previous package, including easy starts, better tutorials and the ability to copy LPs and cassettes to disc.