CyberLink has released Media Suite 11, its all-in-one multimedia solution for media playback, content creation and disc burning.
New additions this time include photo workflow application PhotoDirector 11, as well as three Windows 8 apps (PowerDVD Mobile, PowerDirector Mobile, PhotoDirector Mobile). And of course the other bundled applications have been upgraded to the latest builds.
As usual, the suite is available in three versions.
Media Suite 11 Deluxe ($99.95) is the base edition, which most notably doesn’t include Blu-ray or 3D playback/ authoring support. Otherwise it features PowerDirector 11 DE, PhotoDirector 4 LE, PowerDVD 13 Deluxe, Power2Go 8 DE, MediaShow 6 Deluxe, WaveEditor 2 Standard, PowerProducer 6 Deluxe, MediaEspresso 6.7 Deluxe, PowerBackup 2.6 Standard, PowerDVD Copy 1.5, LabelPrint 2.5 Standard and Instant Burn 5 Standard.
Media Suite 11 Ultra ($129.95) is the mid-range suite, which extends Deluxe with Blu-ray, 3D and AVCHD support; HD video playback; Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD support; more HD quality menu templates when burning discs, and extra photo editing effects.
Media Suite 11 Ultimate ($149.95) is the top of the range suite. Splash out on this edition and you’ll get the three Windows 8 apps and an even better PhotoDirector build (content-aware removal, a people beautifier, watermarking, curve/ level adjustment and more), as well as three “premium content packs” for video creation ("Travel Pack 2/ Romance Pack 3/ Holiday Pack 3").
While there’s a lot of power here, you’re not left to try and navigate the various tools for yourself; all the suites include a front end menu to simplify the process. If you want to upload a video to Facebook, for instance, there’s no need to try and remember which application does that: just click Video > Upload to Social Networks and it’ll launch the correct program for you (MediaShow, if you’re wondering).
If you’re a CyberLink fan then any of the suites could prove a good deal, and will certainly save you a pile of cash when compared with buying the stand-alone apps.
For us, though, Media Suite 11 Deluxe is a little too basic (the lack of Blu-ray support is a major issue), while CyberLink Media Suite 11 Ultimate may not add enough to justify its premium price, leaving CyberLink Media Suite 11 Ultra as perhaps the best value choice for most people.
Users of CyberLink Media Suite 8, 9 or 10, any edition, can upgrade to the latest CyberLink Media Suite 11 Ultra, from the Downloadcrew Software Store, saving 28 percent from the MSRP.