JetAudio Plus v5.16
 

WHAT'S IT DO? JetAudio is an integrated multimedia player to replay and  convert audio CD, MIDI, digital video.


DOES IT DO WHAT IT PROMISES?

Reviewer 1: Mostly, yes, with some exceptions. It failed to work with large file conversions. I wanted to convert an MP3 to WAV to break it into two-hour segments, then convert the individual segments back to MP3 format, to make reading a 14-hour long audio book on an MP3 player easier to deal with. The WAV file grew to exceed 4GB but JetAudio was unable to work beyond that point. It clearly didn't read the second double word in the FAT32 table and I assumed I was out of disk space. The actual error message was "Jet Audio couldn't start the project" although the project was 65% done. I attempted to get some technical support, twice, but my queries went unanswered. With support like that, and for a review panel member, I have serious doubts about the usefulness of the product. It doesn't inspire me to delve deeper into it, knowing there is no help available.

Reviewer 2: For the most part. From the novice view, it did what it promised; however, there were several difficulties in working with the program (see "Weak Points".)

Reviewer 3: Yes, it's an audio video player with great CD ripping, burning, and conversion all rolled into one clean interface.

Reviewer 4: Yes.


WAS IT EASY TO INSTALL?

Reviewer 1. Yes, it was clearer than most, although it involved MS components.

Reviewer 2. Yes, it installed without issues.

Reviewer 3. Yes, it used the standard Windows setup and attaches itself to the right click option for media files so that files can be played or converted with one mouse button. It detects the type of file also; for example, it will show conversion options for sound fules and not video files.

Reviewer 4. A snap.


GOOD POINTS?

Reviewer 1. It does a lot for a $30 package, including CD burning as well as MP3 conversions. The alarm clock that wakes to MP3s or other sound files is a really nice feature as well.

Reviewer 2. JetAudio has a great equalizer. The manipulations that are possible are very good. There's a good selection on the presets as well as the ability to create your own settings. Ripping and converting to the file type MP3PRO is a great space saver. I ripped several CDs, converting the files to standard MP3 and MP3PRO file modes. The sound was the same. Other players (WinAmp in this case) were able to play both and there was no sound difference when played back by that program.

Reviewer 3. The all-in-one approach works well. I prefer to have one well-designed tool for my audio/video needs as opposed to several small ones, each with different interfaces. JetAudio has selectable skins for the users concerned about desktop fashion. The default skin has an EQ front and center that allows the user to select the type of music at a touch of a button, a much easier approach than the Microsoft media player.

Reviewer 4. Quite user friendly I thought. Ripping, Burning, Recording, and Converson were self-explanatory and I had no problem with them. All the major file formats seem to be supported. The sound effects were cool. The Reverb/Stadium was fun. I liked the transparency feature within Options; however, it is only available for Win 2000/XP. The Internet CB Database came in handy.


WEAK POINTS?

Reviewer 1. JetAudio isn't as efficient at playing video across a network as Windows Media Player is. I have a large, excellent quality movie that I attempted to play on my laptop from the redundant array of disks on my server. The movie played somewhat pixilated and way out of sync with the audio. It really wasn't watchable so I stopped it and dragged it to the Windows Media Player and it played quite well, only slightly out of sync with the audio. The movie played fine with both WMP and JetAudio on the server. I have a 10/100 Ethernet connection, so the way WMP played, it was acceptable. I don't know why JetAudio couldn't handle it, except that it simply doesn't work as efficiently as WMP. There is, apparently, no tech support for the product.

Reviewer 2. I was unable to hear cassettes when recording, which makes it impossible to break out songs on cassette. I may only want one or two songs from the tape, not the whole album. JetAudio doesn't allow me to name songs ripped from CDs or use Webcast. It doesn't connect to a data server for music information, and I couldn't get the video side of it to work.

Reviewer 3. In some cases, the complete collection of features can get confusing. Although there are buttons for ripping, recording, converting, and burning, there's no button or playlist for just playing a piece of music. Ctrl O or right mouse click shows the long list of features (too long). With all the features it does have, the one that I missed was a way to send a playlist to my MP3 player.

Reviewer 4. The only really weak point I found was in Broadcasting mode. Even though I had the Broadcast List as English, a lot of the information that came up was in another language. I found a decided lack of selection in most genres.


OTHER COMMENTS?

Reviewer 1. In my opinion, software is only as good as the support the company offers. In this case, there has been none at all.

Reviewer 2. While there were many functions, I could not get JetAudio to work. I also did not have the user manual. The copy available to me did not come with instructions. The directory that should have contained the instructions was blank. I could not find the manual on the Web site either.

Reviewer 3. The more I use it, the more I like it. I can also provide central audio control to all media devices on my computer, instead of having to go to Windows' separate volume control application.

Reviewer 4. Not many skins are available.


WILL YOU CONTINUE USING IT?

Reviewer 1. Maybe not as my default, but yes, I will keep it handy for some purposes. Getting to learn all the features and knowing there is no support is problematical. I have to wonder what the $30 is for; after all, Windows Media Player is free, as are several other players.

Reviewer 2. Personally, no. I have a copy of Roxio Premium which is expensive, but you get what you pay for. If I needed something cheap, then I would use JetAudio. It was somewhat easy to use and, if I had the instructions, I know I would have been able to do more.

Reviewer 3. Yes.

Reviewer 4. Yes.

Note: JetAudio was provided an advance copy of this review and allowed ample opportunity to comment. No comments were received

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