Customer Reviews

Roxio Creator 2011 Pro [Old Version]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(23)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

As someone who has consistently used Roxio Creator (going all the way back to it's original "Adaptec" days) I have to say I'm quite impressed with Creator 2011 Pro. Still, there are several reasons why some users might want to steer clear. As some have noted, because it's an all-in-one solution the package might be considered bloated. The full installation on my Windows 7 x64 system required nearly 5GB of disc space. It's not so surprising when you realize how many "full-featured" apps are integrated into the package. Still, if only a handfull are of value, there are countless "standalone" alternatives to be found. Before purchasing this massive suite, users should realistically consider the capabilities and overall health of their computer. Simply put, with so much complex code involved in the makeup of Creator 2011, installing the package on a problematic or underpowered PC is definitely not recommended. Be aware that "custom" installation options aren't available. In other words, you can't choose which apps to install. Basically it's all or nothing. The only exceptions are the "Sonic Fire" and "Sound Soap" apps which are included only in the "Pro" version.

So all of that being said, Creator 2011 runs perfectly on my Win 7 machine and the latest Blu-ray features are excellent. If you have a BRD drive but are lacking a Blu-ray disc viewing app, the down-loadable CinePlayer BR upgrade (additional $30) is less costly than similar standalone solutions from Cyberlink or Corel and the image quality is awesome. I haven't spent too much time with the new "3D" features but they're included (along with tutorials) for those who want to explore this area. Overall, Creator 2011 Pro offers a high quality solution for most any music, video, or digital imaging needs you may have. In spite of it's "weight", most of the apps are quite responsive and have a surprisingly light feel to them. For those who run into problems or just need some advice, the Roxio forums are very active and helpful opinions aren't difficult to find. So keeping the above caveats in mind, I would recommend Creator 2011 (Pro or Standard) to most users who enjoy the full range of multimedia creation.

BTW, before purchasing the ESD (download version) be sure to search the web for Roxio discount codes. I found one for 15% that knocked nearly $25 off the total price when purchased directly through the Roxio Store.

If I could give zero stars, I would. I have been purchasing Roxio creator products for years simply because when they work, they are pretty easy to use. Unfortunately, they only work for a few weeks and then develop problems. Roxio has now figured out that if they produce a product that cannot be updated when your computer changes over time (with necessary Windows updates, security updates etc.), Roxio will simply stop working. Then customers will become beyond frustrated and simply purchase the next version of Roxio so that they will have a copy that works. This means that Roxio now releases a "new" more bloated version of Roxio every year now. This "new" version is always exactly like the old version that now no longer works, but with "new" functions that you will never use but that will serve to slow down your system and make it all but impossible for even the fastest computer chock-full of memory to run. When Roxio stops working, and it will, don't bother to email tech support. No matter what your trouble ticket reports to be the problem, the only response they ever give is for you to do a full uninstall and clean reinstall of Roxio. Sounds easy right? Well it's not. First you have to individually remove each and every program associated with Roxio in the Control panel. I just had to do that and there were 10 programs in addition to just the Roxio program, and I probably missed some. Then you get to individually remove about 11 pieces of programs still on your computer. Then you get to go into your system registry (something you really should never do unless you have advanced knowledge of how to do so), and remove yet more tiny pieces of anything listed as "Roxio" or "Sonic." All told, it usually takes over two hours just to do a "clean" uninstall of Roxio. Even then most cleaner programs will find fragments in your system. Now here comes the fun part. You then get to wait while the entire bloated Roxio suite of programs reinstalls. So far, my brand new Windows 7, 64-bit system has taken about an hour and a half and still isn't finished. This is the third "clean" uninstall and reinstall I've had to do in the last week. Hmm, that adds up to 3.5+ hours each time. So for this week alone, I've spent 10.5 hours dealing with Roxio. Since I've had to do this at least every month for the last year, sometimes several times per month, I would estimate that I've spent at least 60 hours just this year uninstalling and reinstalling Roxio. Now if you add that to all the uninstalls and reinstalls I've done in the past few years with each version of Roxio, well the hours really add up. Every year I tell myself I just won't buy the new version, and every year I give up and buy it because I don't want to have to learn how to use a new suite of software. Don't be sucked in. Avoid Roxio like the plague it is. If you think I'm exaggerating, just read a few reviews online. The people who have positive things to say simply haven't had their program stop working yet. I'm betting these same people also rarely use this program. If you actually do a big project, say authoring a DVD or importing a number of cds, your Roxio program will inexplicably stop working at random and will likely never function properly again.

I installed this program on a six-core 12GB computer with Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. Roxio was the first program installed. My main purpose of this purchase was for video stabilization. IT WON'T WORK. I contacted Roxio by e-mail four times yesterday. With each new trouble ticket, I was given the same steps to follow, even though I told them that those fixes didn't work. I asked if I could speak to someone who might help me past this hurdle, only to receive a duplicate copy of the previous instructions. Somehow, my requests for service seem to go unread after the first line describing the problem.

If this doesn't get rectified soon, I will return the software and begin again to look for something that does work. Too bad, for I never had trouble with a Roxio product in the past. I don't like communicating through e-mails and I found a service number too late at night to contact them. That number isn't so easy to find.

I purchased this product with the intent of creating DVD's using .mov's from my new Nikon D7000 camera. I am very pleased with the Nikon D700, but this software product is does not work as advertised.

It does NOT handle .mov's from my Nikon at all well. In each .mov the are audio drop outs. For example it drops several second from the end of a 15-second .mov. Plus, it drops the same sound when converting the .mov to a .wmv.

I complained to Roxio's Tech Support, who gave me what they claimed was a solution; which was to extract the audio to a separate file and then add the audio back in on a different track. But Roxio's tool for extracting the audio HANGS each time it is given a .mov from Nikon. Roxio initial response was within a few hours, so I suspect that they have heard about this problem before and know the reason.

Over a period of about 5 days I kept complaining to their Tech Support and their answers became less and less pertinent to the problem.

Roxio admits that the "muxed" (that's what Roxio call it) .mov's from Nikon cause problems. What they won't admit is that Roxio does NOT have a solution.

There is a solution, but it involves purchasing a tool from another supplier to convert the .mov to a .wmv and using the resultant .wmv in the DVD. I tried it and it works.

Roxio Creator 2011 Pro can NOT create adequate DVD's from a Nikon D7000.

If you are a Nikon owner, I recommend that you not purchase this product.

Roxio's tech support is a entirely inadequate.

This is the third Roxio product that I have purchased and I wish I had not purchased it.

I finally asked Roxio for a refund.

I ignored the other reviews and purchased it because I had had previous versions and they were good. It installed perfectly. I clicked on the Icon to start Creator Pro and it loaded perfectly and the main screen appeared. It immediately went into a "NOT RESPONDING" condition. WOW I thought - I should have listened to the other reviewers. So I held my breath and opened a ticket on the support site (I couldn't find a way to talk to Tech Support). They answered within an hour. After that followed a series of back and forth messages. To their credit they answered all my responses within two hours - even on New Years Day. I uninstalled and reinstalled endlessly doing different thinks as requested to the point that I had the serial number memorized. They finally asked me to run DxDiag, a utility the spills out a ton of information about a computer. All in vain.

So I thought I will have to do this myself. I thought of things on my computer that would probably not be on other computers that also had Creator Pro 2011. The one thing that jumped out at me was MAGIC JACK, a telephone application that creates two disk drives. I pulled it out of the USB jack and miracle of miracles Creator Pro worked. I notified Tech Support and they responded with an apology saying they had missed it in DxDiag and they knew that that program will cause a problem.

I've only had Creator for a few days and had one problem already. The Sound Editor crashed and I lost about 20 songs from Pandora. I also created a 3D version of a portrait. I was in 3D but the colors are washed out since you must use red and cyan glasses (supplied) which eliminates those colors from the picture. Everything else I tried so far seems to work. It does eat disk space and I suspect along with that it needs a powerful computer chip.

It has many many features so it is worth the $70 that Amazon charges. But with all the problems I can only give it 3 stars.

I have owned almost all of the Roxio Creator programs(My DVD, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2010pro). After 1 year of use they start crashing. Something will come up and tell you, You don't have a certificate or your trial is over. What trial? I bought the program. The technicians tell you to uninstall...it won't uninstall. Then if you finally do get it uninstalled you can't reinstall the program. The techinicians & support run you around in circles telling you the same thing over and over. While the program was working it was a great program. I have made many many movies to make sure my children and grandchildren enjoy their childhood pictures. I have given them away for wedding gifts, birthday gifts. But I am very disappointed that they only last 1 year. Money doesn't grow on trees. I have spent a lot of money on these programs for them only to last the year.

I had a Roxio Many years ago it worked very well it was a little pricey. I decided to buy a new version the Pro 11 model. Bad decision it is only marginally compatible with windows 7. When we installed it windows would not start up without considerable trouble. Assistance from Roxio is marginal at best. I have decided I probably spent my $100 on a white elephant. Since I have deleted it no problem I am wondering if it is worth the hassle. I get replies from Roxio but mostly talking to a computer not a live person nothing personal nobody is interested in my problem since they have my money

I got scammed by Roxio 2010 Pro Creator. My wife bought 2011 for her office thinking it might actually work better than 2010 Pro Creator.....What a joke. The 2011 still doesn't work with Windows 7. As far as I can tell Roxio is a scamming software company. At this point, I must recommend avoiding all Roxio products.

When I decided to upgrade to HD video, I figured I would just upgrade Roxio to 2011 Pro and I would have no worries. After all. 2010 had done fine with all my regular stuff and i was used to using it. I have a Canon video camera which records in .mts format. I called and double checked that it woudl work and they said it would. Well, it never worked right. It would hang up and crash and eventually would refuse to write to the burner. I called up Roxio and found out that it is NOT compatible after all. They said you can convert .mts to mpeg4 but that takes just as long as encoding a movie (about 4 hours for an hour movie) and THEn you have to load the movie, which takes another four hours. Not acceptable. I will be purging this garbage off of my hard drive and going with something that actually works. Terrible product. I do NOT recommend.

When it will install, it is a decent program.

The problem is that about half the time, the finicky little thing won't install. And worst of all, Roxio tech support is abysmal. They don't really seem to be reading the notes you submit and seem to reply with semi-random suggestions just to make you go away.

I have this successfully installed on several computers. At least once before the only thing that worked was re-imaging the system. Roxio can't program its way out of wet paper bag when it comes to installation programs. They don't check to see what version of .net is already installed, likewise, they don't check directX versions, they just blindly push ahead with two year old technology and the installer craps out with a generic error and "please try again later". No install logs so you could maybe see exactly what is hanging it up or anything.

Last time I'll ever buy a roxio product.