Media company backs the emerging Sony DVD format

Digital media company Nero has unveiled the latest version of its burning software, the first to support the Blu-ray next-generation recordable DVD format.

Nero 7 enables Blu-ray recording that is readable on Windows 98 SE/Me, 2000, XP and Vista, multi-session writing on BD-R/RE media, and the creation of 1:1 copies of any unprotected BD media.

Additional applications include Nero Search, designed to help users find information no matter where it is on a computer or the internet.

Nero Home enables users to manage their digital files, incorporating features such as an integrated electronic programme guide and offering access to more content from more sources with support for DVB (T, S, and C) TV standards.

Nero Home also gives users more tools to enhance slide shows, including customised transitions, the ability to add audio to match the slide show length, export a slide show with embedded sound to an MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 movie, and find matching photos stored on a PC or an attached device.

Users can also capture video files from many sources, including TV and graphics cards, camcorders, VCRs, and webcams (composite/S-video).

The Nero Vision Fit-To-Disc feature automatically sets the highest possible encoding video quality, or bit rate, based on the length of the video files and remaining disc space before burning a DVD or VR disc, the company said.