There is a lot that's new in Toast 8 that deserves to be mentioned. Roxio's goal with its updated software was to make it a one-stop app for anything to do with a DVD/CD, from labeling to cross-platform usage.

Immediately noticeable is a cleaned-up user interface. The tabs that once went across the front of the UI have all been consolidated. The media browser supports the usual movies, music and pictures, plus it has added file browsing, Tivo and a spotlight search for media.

There is an option for burning cross-platform photo discs of files from Apple's iPhoto software. Normally, the output of a CD from iPhoto is, well, less than user-friendly if the person is not using iPhoto. Toast 8 adds a feature that puts a cross-platform slide show application on the CD, allowing for easy viewing. Unlike an export of pictures to a photo DVD, images are not down-sampled, meaning the high quality of your original images remains.

Also included is an audio tool that incorporates the best of Jam, allowing the end user to create audio mixes with a much higher level of precision than is available in iTunes. Granted, this level of control has a high level of complexity, but it is certainly an option some users will want. There is also an assistant to walk you through capturing and digitizing your personal audio media from cassette and other formats.

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