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Nero 9 Lite claims to be a full-service CD burning program. While it looks like a great tool for burning data and music disks, its trial limits kept us from truly finding out what it can do.
The program's interface features a professionally designed layout that flows well from one command to the next. It felt so natural that we weren't upset that Nero doesn't offer any sort of Help file or instructions. Unfortunately, we didn't get to fully experience this program much beyond admiring its layout. While it boasts many tools for burning and ripping music, backing up data, building photo slideshows and more, they're mostly disabled during the software's trial period. However, we were able to create and burn a data disk. This was a smooth, two-step process that went quickly and produced an accurate copy of our data on a recordable CD. We can only hope the rest of the program operates just as effortlessly. Nero 9 Lite seems a bit slim in the special features department--those are most disabled, too--though its option to adjust burning speed seems like a helpful way to keep your computer from slowing down or freezing up. While Nero 9 Lite looked like a home run, we can't really draw much of a conclusion due to its trial limitations.
Nero 9 Lite has the aforementioned trial limits. It installs desktop icons without permission. While the program looked great, we couldn't fully test it and thus can't recommend it.
Nero BurnLite - Burn data to CD and DVD easily and securely - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From Nero:
Enjoy basic data burning and copying capabilities for your CDs and DVDs from the world's most trusted digital media brand, Nero for free. Nero 9 Lite allows you to: burn and copy CD/DVD data free without any time limitations; quick copy from source to media; buffer under run protection when burning; verify written data; create disc image (.nrg); erase disc; analyze disc.
What's new in this version: Version 9.4.12 is Windows 7 compatible.
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All versions:
1.8 starsout of 94 votes
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Current version:
1.6 starsout of 31 votes
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My rating:
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"Be clear what this is (and isn't) before you install!"
Version: Nero 9 Lite 9.4.12
Pros
Move along, nothing to see here...
Cons
The only functionality that's actually active in this free version is *data* disc burning. Also the Ask browser toolbar is installed - no choice.
Summary
It's important to understand what you're getting here: you get a UI that is like a cut-down Nero suite - only that almost everything in it is disabled (including, remarkably, burning audio CDs). You need to read the publisher's description very carefully to understand what works in this edition. It is basically *data* burning only. In practice it is rather frustrating to even explore the UI as every click is greeted with "sorry, that isn't available in the free version; you need to upgrade". Hard to recommend when ImgBurn and CDburnerXP are out there... also I personally don't like extra browser toolbars clogging up the works and here the Ask toolbar gets installed with no option not to. Pass.
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"Nero Essentials is crashing Smart Start"
Version: Nero 9 Lite 9.4.12
Pros
It burns. Beyond that its a pretty crappy app.
Cons
After install it updates and installs another app called Nero Essentials that crashes Smart Start. Uninstall fixes it. The thing doesn't est the folders you drag into the util until burning, & anything with an arrow is a locked out feature.
Summary
In short if you want a crappy program that is buggy on install, its feature set is buggy even just showing the disk space you would use on the disk, makes money off of the "free" app by bundling a toolbar that it claims must be installed for it to function. (BULL[BLEEP]) and somehow manages to be worth less then the nothing you paid for it then Nero 9 Lite Free is for sucke....I mean is for you.
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"Not worth the trouble to download."
Version: Nero 9 Lite 9.4.12
Pros
Since so little worked there are no pros.
Cons
Just about useless. Almost all of the 'features' are a commercial to upgrade. Not enogh worked to give an evaluation.
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"Terrible software, wouldnt pay for it."
Version: Nero 9 Lite 9.4.12
Pros
... it burned a DVD
Cons
AVI files burnt need to "download trial version".
Dont expect easy interface, it is the worst interface I have seen.Summary
Ok, if you need to burn something simple... than, this could work for you. If you are trying to burn movies (anything but MPEG) you may want to find another type of software. I tried to use this trial version to get a good feel for what the software was about and it is terrible. This software actually came with a product I had purchased (a new DVD writer). I used Nero when it was in its beginning stages many years ago and it was much better than what they have now, I just hope someone over at Nero is paying attention to all of these comments because they really need to do something different. Ironically enough... I won?t try their products again though so even if they fix it? they lost another perspective customer. There are many other burning programs available.
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"Terrible CD/DVD Program"
Version: Nero 9 Lite 9.4.12
Pros
As far as I could tell, none.
Cons
It could not even burn a Music CD.
Summary
This program seems like it's only purpose is to sell the full version. Ashampoo Burning Studio Free is much better.
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"Bait and Switch"
Version: Nero 9 Lite 9.4.12
Pros
Pretty interface.
It's a great teaser, makes it look like an easy to use tool with great features.
That's it. Selecting the actual tools just cause a pop up window telling you that you must buy something first.
Bait and Switch.
Zero Stars.Cons
1. Requires third part AdWare
2. Everything except for burning a basic data disk is disabled.
3. No separate uninstall.
4. uninstall incomplete.
5. Bait and switch.Summary
The first time I tried to install this software, it gave me the option of not installing the Ask Toolbar, which of course I took. I don't want any third party software installed. If I installed every toolbar every piece of software suggested, I'd have no room for browsing at all. I was glad to see I could opt out. However, in the process of installing, it informed me that it was in fact required. I went ahead figuring I could remove it later.
The next thing the software did upon beginning the installation, was DISABLE/CRASH my AdWare program. Then it started closing other programs as if a reboot order had been issued, which it had not asked permission to do. When it failed at that, it told me it had failed to install and required a reboot. I didn't have much choice, since it had already crashed half my background software.
On rebooting, I decided to give it another shot. Trying to give this company which had at one time a great reputation another try to do it right. Second install did NOT give me the option to opt out of Ask Toolbar. Also, it did NOT show it in the required to install list. So it made sure it loaded it's AdWare before it did anything else.
The program was able to install 'fully' this time. However, when I loaded it up all I found was basically a very nice looking but very empty interface. It looks like it's simple to use and would probably be a great program. that is... if anything worked beyond burning a simple data disk. Why would I want additional software to do something that Windows can do with it's native tools perfectly well?
Having discovered that Nero Lite 9 was crippled, I wanted to install it. This is when I discovered that it has no separate uninstall program. The uninstall is in the "Control Center" which of course it does not uninstall with the rest of the program. It leaves it so that you can choose to reinstall it later. As if anyone would want to do that on purpose after discovering what this thing is.
This is 100% bait and switch. It's not listed as a trial, it's listed as a lite version. I noticed that the only people who rated this program more than 1 star were people who only wanted to burn data CD's which is the only thing the program can do. I'd guess they never tried to get it to do anything else.
I would rate this zero stars if I could.
It's a total Bait and Switch, and Cnet should remove it from their free listing. It should be listed as a trial. -
"Completely useless!"
Version: Nero 9 Lite 9.4.12
Pros
none none none none
Cons
Forces you to install the Ask toolbar even if you uncheck all of the options for installing the Ask garbage. Actually has the gall to list the toolbar as 'required for install'.
Summary
The biggest problem is the program doesn't work at all! Burns fail every time and their are no error messages to tell you why, just says 'burn failed'.Total piece of junk, to be avoided at all cost
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"Nero has finally gone so far downhill its uselss."
Version: Nero 9 Lite 9.4.12
Pros
None, this product is inferior to many free competitors.
Cons
Everything. It is so much worse than FreeBurner XP or IMGBurn its pathetic. Also, the Nero programs are dirty twisted and infect the registry and install directshow filters and hijack the computer. Absolute junk
Summary
Do not download this. It is very hard to uninstall. You will be uninstalling this.
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"Great program...for free!"
Version: Nero 9 Lite 9.4.12
Pros
Did what it promised right away.
Cons
So bad its lite version...Cant afford to pay full version.
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""Lite" = NOTHING!"
Version: Nero 9 Lite 9.4.12
Pros
Thanks to CC Cleaner, I think I uninstalled all of it...including the toolbar is forces you to download if you want to complete install
Cons
Anything I tried to do resulted in the infamous "...requires full version..." screen, which now of course means the full $70 Nero 10.
Summary
Who paid off CNET to give this piece of crap ANY stars? If it would have been a legit trial version that let you test it's features, I might have considered the full version. Nero is basically forcing you to buy the whole kitchen sink or take your business elsewhere. For me, that was a easy decision to make.
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