Some programs promise you the world. SmartDisk MVP promises to organize all your music, video, and photo files. It also claims you'll be able to create CDs from those files with a single click. On the whole, MVP keeps its promises, but we ran into a significant limitation that keeps this $69.95 CD-authoring program from being best of breed.

If SmartDisk MVP had a packet-writing capability instead of being able only to record data using the disc-at-once method, we'd say this CD-authoring program has it all. It's a considerable drawback for those who record files to CD-RWs incrementally, but if you don't see packet writing in your future and just want an easy-to-use program for burning music, videos, and photos to disc, SmartDisk MVP is more than up to the task.

Pros and Cons Pros Single interface, no matter the file type Writes VideoCDs that can play on most DVD players Creates self-running slide shows and video presentations Monitors directories for new multimedia files Includes PowerDVD, FotoCanvas, and Neato CD labeling kit Cons Supports only disc-at-once recording method

Before you begin to burn, MVP helps you organize your files. As a file librarian, SmartDisk emphasises ease of use. You can collect four types of media: photos, music, videos, and a mixed category that matches music with photos for one-click slide shows. Just drag and drop the files to create virtual albums. You can also have the program monitor specific directories and incorporate any new downloaded multimedia files.

MVP's librarian features provide convenient access to your multimedia files, but the program really starts to shine when you get to its CD-authoring features. Once you've organised your music, video, and photo files (hence the name, MVP), it's only natural to want to copy them to disc. In addition to copying audio files to standard CDs and MP3 CDs, the software lets you burn VideoCDs that can be played in any DVD player that supports VideoCD 2.0.

Beginners will appreciate the jargon-free wizards, which step you through the process of creating CDs for video, music, MP3s, date, or slide shows. However, experienced users may decry the lack of a packet-writing program. SmartDisk MVP supports only the disc-at-once recording method, which means you can't write some files now and other files later. If you have any files on a CD-RW disc, those files will be erased before the recording begins. This is a serious omission; just about every other CD-authoring program allows incremental copying on rewritable CD-RW discs.

The rest of the software bundle is strong and includes a copy of PowerDVD, which lets you play back VideoCDs on your PC. The bundled photo-editing program, FotoCanvas, has an excellent assortment of editing tools (including lasso, magic wand, eyedropper, and airbrush), but it has a limited selection of filters. Its few filters are geared for photo touchup (such as red-eye reduction and despeckle). Overall, FotoCanvas is easy to use but not as quite powerful as Photoshop LE or similar photo editors. Also present is Neato's CD labeling kit and two blank CD-RW discs.

The Easy CD Creator VideoCD is similar to the one from SmartDisk MVP in that each will play on a DVD player and a DVD-ROM drive. The photo-to-CD option in Easy CD does not create a DVD-player-compatible slide show. It creates a data disc with the photo files and adds a 265K Windows slide show program. By contrast, SmartDisk creates a photo-based VideoCD that can run as a slide show on a DVD player.

While SmartDisk MVP is easier to use, in some ways, than Roxio's Easy CD Creator, it's also less powerful and has fewer features on the whole. If all you need is a CD-authoring program, stick with Roxio's Easy CD Creator--its track-based recording option is indispensable. Consider SmartDisk MVP if you think you might prefer its tightly integrated librarian, the included bonus programs, and its ability to create DVD-friendly VideoCDs.

Scorecard Our Labs staff rates products in the areas you care about most.
Editors' Rating (10 is best)	7.3
Ease of use	8
Installation and Configuration	7
Support and Updates	7
Value	7

SmartDisk MVP
Company:SmartDisk
Price: US$69.95 plus US$63.79 International Delivery
Purchase Online

Copyright © 2009 CBS Interactive, a CBS Company. All Rights Reserved.
ZDNET is a registered service mark of CBS Interactive. ZDNET Logo is a service mark of CBS Interactive.