In the past, Microsoft's Plus! add-ons for Windows were great for providing colorful and animated desktops and a few utilities and games. But the latest Microsoft Plus! Digital Media Edition that supports Windows XP offers useful multimedia capabilities to play digital music files, copy and digitize audio from cassette tapes and records and create multimedia slideshows. And it's inexpensive as well.
The program lets you organize digital photos into slideshows and add narration, music and special effects and share them via email or the web. The results can be quite impressive. We particularly liked the way that the camera could zoom into a section of a digital photo as we narrated a slide. If you are currently working with digital video, you'll find that Plus! offers some 50 useful effects and transitions that support Windows Movie Maker 2.
software - Microsoft Plus! Digital Media Edition
Most useful is an Analog Recorder that captures audio from cassette tapes and vinyl records and converts them into digital music files. You connect your stereo to your computer's sound card, and the program walks you through the process of recording audio, and it automatically listens for, and creates tracks. The utility reduces hiss and pops, and gives you options for splitting and combining tracks. While there are other programs that provide far more capabilities, the Analog Recorder works well and offers adequate features.
The audio converter converts music files from one format to another and supports MP3, WAV and WMA. A Party Mode utility for the Windows Media Player turns a PC into a virtual jukebox. This way, if you should hold a party, you and your guests can use your PC as a jukebox to request and play music. And the utility restricts access to your files or personal information. This way, even though guests are using your PC, they can't get to your personal or system files. Party Mode also features visual song announcements and artist titles and a guest book.
The program can deliver current news and music to a Pocket PC. You can obtain audio and video content from Windows Media Player and content providers, and the Sync & Go feature transfers the data to a Pocket PC.
The CD Label Maker creates and prints CD covers, labels, and inserts, and adds artist, track, and album information. Another utility lets you turn your PC into a an alarm clock that plays songs or sounds from your music library, and it comes with the necessary snooze and multiple alarms.
Finally, the program adds visual window dressing. It lets you place dancers on the desktop that dance to your favorite tunes. The animated dancers look realistic and lively and perform in such styles as hip hop, disco, house, salsa and more. And there are skins for Windows Media Player to change the appearance of Windows Media Player.
At around $20, Microsoft Plus! Digital Media Edition is an excellent deal. It offers capability that is impressive and easy to use. And consumers who want to delve into the latest in multimedia can definitely get their feet wet with Microsoft Plus!
4/28/2003 - Daytrum Editorial Staff