- Platform: Windows XP
- Media: Software
- Item Quantity: 1
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Product Description
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Microsoft typically supplements its operating systems with a retail grab bag of utilities and entertainment-oriented applications called Microsoft Plus. For Windows XP, it has released not one but two such packages. The latest, Microsoft Plus Digital Media Edition, sports nearly a dozen perks, toys and tools for those who use their PC as a multimedia companion. Though some will find the program packs its fair share of incidental "fluff", anyone into photos, video or music will undoubtedly find several components both useful and enjoyable.
Digital camera buffs will quickly take to Photo Story, wherein they can organize their favorite pictures in slideshow format, add narration, and create a dynamic sense of motion by manually or automatically zooming or panning across each shot. The end result is flowing and compelling and far less stagnant than a standard still presentation.
The program also has plenty of goodies for music fans, including Analog Recorder, a clever utility that transcribes audio in real time from traditional sources such as cassettes and 8-tracks (cables not included), organizes them into playlists, and efficiently removes pops and hiss via technology licensed from respected pro audio veteran Syntrillium Corp. Slightly less impressive is CD Label Maker, which offers a standard selection of CD labels and templates but unfortunately emblazons a Microsoft Plus logo onto each one. Party Mode stretches your Windows Media Player to fill the entire screen and displays customizable marquee announcements and animations, and the aptly named Audio Converter converts MP3 and WAV files to space-efficient WMA files.
Arguably Digital Media Edition’s most disposable feature is Plus Dancer, a selection of minuscule live action pop-up dancers who cavort on command across the desktop. Conversely, the practical Sync & Go allows users of pocket PCs to enjoy their favorite PC content on their portable. Microsoft rounds out this eclectic package with several tidbits and novelties, including a variable interval alarm clock, eight mediocre Windows Media Player skins, and fifty additional transitions and visual effects for Microsoft’s free downloadable video editor, Windows Movie Maker. --Gord Goble
Product Description
Microsoft typically supplements its operating systems with a retail grab bag of utilities and entertainment-oriented applications called Microsoft Plus. For Windows XP, it has released not one but two such packages. The latest, Microsoft Plus Digital Media Edition, sports nearly a dozen perks, toys and tools for those who use their PC as a multimedia companion. Though some will find the program packs its fair share of incidental "fluff", anyone into photos, video or music will undoubtedly find several components both useful and enjoyable.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
I wouldn't say that this is the ULTIMATE add-on for Windows XP. It has its share of the usual Plus! fluff (Plus! Dancers?) but I use some things (Analog Recorder and Sync & Go) on a daily basis.
The Analog Recorder functions as a slightly fancier version of the windows sound recorder, but the added features make it useful. Besides simply recording the audio to a windows media audio file, it has options to automatically set the input level and, the feature I find most useful, separate it into tracks based on silent pauses in the audio. It can also try to take out pops and hiss if you want, but honestly I can't tell the difference.
The Sync & Go feature only works with a Pocket PC. I think it also requires a memory card (even if it doesn't, it requires enough storage space that you'll want one.) The content you want updated each time you sync your PDA is chosen from a list of windows media player playlists and a meager list of audio and video (~15 min of video from nbc nightly news, a short video of msnbc headlines, npr's hourly news update, clips from comedy central, etc) that is then downloaded from the internet to your PDA. The selection could be better (I do enjoy Tom Brokaaaw's daaaily dose, however.)
I haven't used the other programs included, but I use Analog Recorder and Sync and Go so much that I consider the money well spent. It's a bargain if you don't want to pay for a more full-featured version of one of these programs.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
If you keep in mind all that's included for the price, you really can't complain. XP's visual interfaces have always been appealing, and the components of Plus! DME are all nicely done and easy to use. I bought it mainly because I was interested in Photo Story, and now that there is a free online upgrade available (Photo Story 2), you can save projects to edit later. That makes this program much more sensible. It allows final saving in only two formats: "medium quality" (240x320) and "high quality" (480x640). There are also two quality choices for audio. Happily, saved "stories" (WMV format) can be imported into Movie Maker and rendered as full DV-AVI with good results.
The audio capture program is also simple, straightforward, and wizard-based. It lets you trim unnecessary parts before saving. I used it to capture audio in order to make CDs from language lesson tapes. It worked great. I haven't tried it on a wide variety of music, but it worked fine with the music I did digitize. You cannot do any fancy editing, but for importing analog music into your PC, it couldn't get simpler than this.
The Alarm Clock integrates nicely with XP, and I use it often. Plus! DME also came with many new transition effects for Movie Maker which are pretty cool.
There are other features, which are mainly just "toys" to me, but even without them, I feel that the price is fair enough for only the goodies I've mentioned above.
Although I confess that this will not satisfy those who prefer high "tweakability" and professional results, I feel that Plus! DME is worth its price for what it does and will please those who want a simple solution to a few digital media tasks.
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
OK, my major complaint with the last version of Plus! was that it gave you little to nothing; mostly demo and watered-down programs. Well, although this version seems to be heading in the right direction, it still offers little in the way of usable add-ons. First, I'll address Picture Story, since it seems to be the fan favorite. While I love it's ease of use, the truth of the matter is, you don't need it. Windows Movie Maker, (included in XP and ME), does the exact same thing and offers greater customization and more special effects options. Best of all, it's FREE, and offers ME users the opportunity to create "picture stories" as well (Plus! is now only available for XP). Plus! DME does offer some additional Movie Maker content, however it's only compatible with version 2 (another XP exclusive). Other than Picture Story, there is really very little of value here. The analog recorder seems like a good idea for cleaning up old LP's, however I haven't owned a turntable since the late 80's, so I really can't comment on it. The CD label maker is OK; comparable to the versions supplied with your average burner software. It's a good solution for those who opt to use Windows XP as their default CD-R/RW burning software. The media player add-ons are OK, mostly new skins and a few security features to keep others from listening to your music, (although the only use I can immediately think of is maybe keeping the children from listening to anything you might have containing questionable lyrics). I don't plan to convert my MP3's to WMA, so the converter is useless to me. The dancers and alarm clock lose their novelty after the first 5 minutes. I own a Pocket PC, so the synchronization tools are welcome. It makes converting media files easier and allows you to download media content from the web (although I haven't yet felt the need to do so). All in all, it's "ok". It's nowhere near a "must-have" item. I would only suggest it if you catch it on sale. P.S., like all MS products, it also requires activation and is limited to one computer. Just thought that was important enough to add.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Analog Recorder does the trick.
I purchased a download of this software years ago, but wanted a hard copy. Sad that it does not work beyond XP, but it works great on that OS. Read more
Published 10 days ago by M. D. Haden
Slide Show with Narration
I wanted to be able to make a slide show with narration. I wanted the narration to be arbitrary size for each picture. Read more
Published on May 25, 2009 by John K. Hayes
My review
The description of the product which was Plus! Digital Media Edition [OLD VERSION] is why I bought it. Read more
Published on August 24, 2008 by Todd D. Olsen
Terrific For Getting Your Old Records On Cds Or In Your iPod!
This is not the most current version of this software; but since it's probably still being sold new in places like eBay, I thought I'd still do a review. Read more
Published on February 13, 2006 by Sunday
Great fun at a great value
Microsoft Plus! Digital Media Edition is not something necessary for the enjoyment of life, but, then, neither is a computer, a cell phone, or a TV, unless you are a diehard couch... Read more
Published on February 18, 2005 by Gadgester
It's OK
Don't get me wrong--this isn't a BAD product, but it really isn't very useful, either. I find the dancers are fairly amusing for a while and the analog recorder makes a really easy... Read more
Published on January 15, 2005 by ut158
Ripping Vinyl Function a Rip Off
I bought this because it is advertised as the solution to ripping vinyl into digital media. Yes, it rips it, then it gives you a nice UI to MANUALLY TYPE IN the artist, album, AND... Read more
Published on September 8, 2004 by Mehri Kaufman
Non functional without downloads, Not worth the hassle
Just bought it not worth the hassle
Its not very functional without tonnes of MS downloads so dont buy it if you have a 56kb modem like me. Read more
Published on May 31, 2004
Great program
I don't really use most of the programs in this package...except Photo Story. Photo Story is incredible! Read more
Published on May 25, 2004 by K. Brooks
not really a must...
Although many of its stuff are pretty fun to use and creative, but after all, it is not really a "must" have item. Read more
Published on March 16, 2004 by Jessica Yang
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