Power2Go
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
CyberLink Power2Go is a is a disc burning and authoring application produced by CyberLink Corp for the Windows platform. Its main function is to burn data files to CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs. First launched at the CeBIT tradeshow in Germany in 2004, Power2Go’s major competitors are Nero Burning ROM and Easy Media Creator.
The full version of the software is today sold as an independent software download and as part of a bigger suite of software called CyberLink DVD Suite. Power2Go is available in various configurations designed for CyberLink’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers, with hardware devices including disc burners and PCs.
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[edit] History
In 2004, CyberLink released Power2Go as a defensive product against the market dominance of then Ahead Software’s Nero Burning ROM software. Responding to rapid consolidation within the consumer multimedia marketplace, CyberLink leveraged its position in the DVD player market (with PowerDVD) to broaden its range of PC applications to include data burning.
CyberLink licensed data burning technology from BHA Corporation to create the first edition of Power2Go. As the product was based on existing technology, CyberLink rebranded features from BHA’s software and launched Power2Go as version 3.0.
Combined with its existing video editing and DVD authoring products, CyberLink created a suite built around disc burning (Power2Go), video production (PowerDirector and PowerProducer) and movie playback (PowerDVD), called CyberLink DVD Solution. Designed for CyberLink’s OEM customers, the suite provided a strong lineup to challenge the threat of Nero’s own all-in-one offering.
Today, Power2Go includes features for burning data to secure DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, the authoring of photos and videos to DVDs, the creation of audio CDs, and the burning of mixed media discs such as HighMAT discs. Support for HD DVDs was discontinued in early 2008 after Toshiba halted development of the format.
[edit] Release History
| Year | Version Number | Key Features | Sub Versions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 | Data burning, DVD authoring via PowerProducer Express, Express mode desktop icons, MP3 ripping | Trial, VCD (OEM) |
| 2005 | 4 | Integrated DVD authoring, Auto fit videos to available DVD space, Split discs feature, Audio normalization, UDF 2.0 support | Trial, OEM (without HighMAT support) |
| 2006 | 5 | Blu-ray Disc support, Audio ripping from video, Video trimming, Improved menu authoring features | Trial, CD (OEM), DVD (OEM), BD (OEM) |
| 2007 | 5.5 | 128-bit data encryption for discs, HD DVD support, UDF 2.5 support | Trial, CD, DVD, HD DVD (OEM), BD (OEM) |
| 2008 | 6 | Vista support, Vista sidebar gadgets, Quick search, Data protection for individual files and folders | Trial, CD (OEM), DVD (OEM), BD (OEM) |
[edit] Features and Functions
[edit] Data
- Burn files to CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs
- Secure discs with encrypted files or folders
- Copy Discs
- Erase Discs
- Save Disc Images
- Burn Disc Images
- Create bootable discs
- Create auto-run discs
[edit] Other data burning features include
- Buffer under run protection to ensure an uninterrupted burning process
- Write simulation for verifying disc and burner compatibility
- Close disc function
- Recorded data verification
- Change disc icon
- Auto-split disc capacity
- Select file structure
[edit] Videos and Photos
- Slideshow editor for converting photos into slideshows
- DVD authoring for creating menus before burning to DVD
- Inserting DVD chapters
- Video trimming
- VCD and DVD burning
- DVD Auto-Fit compression
[edit] Audio
- Ripping from CDs to MP3, WMA or WAV files
- Audio normalization between tracks
- Support for the Freedb info online database
- Support for inputting CD text
- Audio file converter
- Creation of music tracks from video files
- Audio CD burning
- Inserting gaps between audio tracks
[edit] Mixed Media Formats
- CD-Extra
- Mixed Mode CD
- HighMAT
[edit] File Format Support
| Media Type | File Type |
|---|---|
| Music | Audio CD, .MP3, .WMA, .WAV |
| Video | .AVI, .DAT (MPEG-1), .MPE, .MPG, .MPEG |
| Image | .BMP, .JPE, .JPEG, .JPG, .PSD |
[edit] Disc Support
| Type | Format |
|---|---|
| CD | CD-R/RW |
| DVD | DVD-R/RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R/RW, DVD+R DL, DVD-RAM |
| Blu-ray Disc | BD-R, BD-R DL, BD-RE, BD-RE DL |
| HD DVD | HD DVD-R, HD DVD-R DL (no longer supported) |
[edit] Microsoft Windows Operating System Support by Power2Go Version
| Power2Go Version | Windows Version |
|---|---|
| 3, 4, 5, 5.5 | Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98SE (Windows XP and 2000 recommended) |
| 6 | Windows XP, Vista |
