NCH Software

NCH Software is an Australian software company established in Canberra in 1993. Its portfolio is built around downloadable applications for consumers, home users, small businesses, and professional users rather than around a single operating system or hardware platform. The company develops tools spanning audio production and editing, video editing and conversion, image manipulation, disc authoring, file compression, transcription, screen capture, telephony, and business administration. Its software range includes both standalone utilities and products designed to work together as a broader creative or productivity suite. VideoPad serves as the company’s principal video-editing application for home and professional users. It is complemented by products such as WavePad for sound editing, MixPad for multitrack audio mixing, PhotoPad for image editing, Prism for video-format conversion, Express Burn for disc authoring, Switch for audio conversion, Express Scribe for transcription, Express Zip for file compression, and Debut for screen recording and video capture. NCH has maintained an international customer base, with a substantial U.S. market presence. The company opened a Colorado office in April 2008, citing the size of its U.S. customer base. Its products have been distributed through software-download channels and have appeared prominently in software-download rankings. CNET reported in September 2014 that WavePad Sound Editor Masters Edition was NCH Software’s most frequently downloaded program on that site at the time. The company has also attracted scrutiny over software-bundling practices. During 2013, some computer-security companies classified certain NCH programs as potentially unwanted or bloatware because they included the Google Toolbar in installation packages. NCH announced in July 2015 that it had stopped bundling the toolbar. By November 30, 2015, the company’s software was reported as being marked clean by major antivirus products. This episode is a notable part of NCH’s public history because it illustrates the reputational and security concerns that can surround downloadable software distribution, even though the available reference material does not establish a broader legal finding against the company. NCH Software remains an active multi-category software developer. Public reference material identifies its main areas of activity and product families but does not provide reliable information about its current ownership, leadership, revenue, employee count, corporate structure, or exact present-day headquarters beyond its Australian origins and the documented U.S. office.

NCH Software was founded in Canberra, Australia, in 1993. From its beginning, the company developed downloadable software rather than building its identity around a single flagship application. Its product strategy expanded across several practical desktop-software categories, including audio, video, business, dictation and transcription, graphics, telephony, and general utilities. The company’s portfolio developed as a connected group of applications. WavePad provided sound editing, while MixPad addressed sound mixing. VideoPad became the company’s video-editing product for both home and professional users. Supporting applications included Prism for video conversion, Switch for audio conversion, PhotoPad for image editing, Express Burn for disc authoring, Express Scribe for transcription, Express Zip for file compression, and Debut for screen recording and video capture. This breadth allowed NCH to address adjacent tasks in creative production and office work through separate, specialized programs. NCH expanded its presence in the United States as its American customer base grew. In April 2008, it established a Colorado office, reflecting the importance of the U.S. market to the Australian company. The products were also distributed through prominent software-download outlets. On September 26, 2014, CNET identified WavePad Sound Editor Masters Edition as NCH Software’s most frequently downloaded program on that platform, providing an indication of the visibility of the company’s audio products among download users at that time. A significant reputational issue emerged around installation bundling. During 2013, some computer-security companies described NCH software as bloatware because installation packages included the Google Toolbar. The issue concerned the way additional software was presented or installed alongside NCH applications and placed the company within wider industry debates about potentially unwanted programs and download practices. In July 2015, NCH announced that it had discontinued the Google Toolbar bundle. By November 30 of that year, the company was reported as clean by major antivirus products. The available reference material does not document a public founder, ownership change, stock-market listing, revenue history, or detailed executive succession. It also does not establish a precise current corporate structure. What can be established is that NCH Software originated in Australia, developed an international customer base, opened a U.S. office, and built a broad catalog of desktop applications serving creative, business, transcription, communications, and utility needs.

• 2015

  Google Toolbar bundling discontinued

  [1]NCH Softwareen.wikipedia.org

  NCH announced in July that it had stopped bundling the Google Toolbar with its software.

• 2015

  Antivirus status reported as clean

  [1]NCH Softwareen.wikipedia.org

  As of November 30, NCH Software was reported as clean by major antivirus products.

• 2014

  WavePad identified as a leading CNET download

  [1]NCH Softwareen.wikipedia.org

  CNET reported on September 26 that WavePad Sound Editor Masters Edition was NCH Software’s most frequently downloaded program on that platform.

• 2013

  Software-bundling criticism emerges

  [1]NCH Softwareen.wikipedia.org

  Some computer-security companies categorized NCH software as bloatware because certain installations bundled the Google Toolbar.

• 2008

  Colorado office opened

  [1]NCH Softwareen.wikipedia.org

  NCH opened a Colorado office in April 2008 in response to the size of its U.S. customer base.

• 1993

  NCH Software founded in Canberra

  [1]NCH Softwareen.wikipedia.org

  NCH Software was established in Canberra, Australia, beginning its development of downloadable applications across multiple software categories.

A broad software portfolio for consumers, home users, small businesses, and professionals seeking individually focused desktop utilities across creative, office, transcription, communications, and file-management tasks.

• Audio editing

  WavePad Sound Editor

  WavePad is NCH Software’s sound-editing application. It is designed for editing and processing audio files and has been one of the company’s most visible products in software-download channels. CNET identified the Masters Edition as NCH’s most frequently downloaded program on its platform in September 2014.

• Video editing

  VideoPad

  VideoPad is NCH Software’s video-editing application for home and professional users. It forms part of a broader product ecosystem in which video production can be supported by NCH tools for audio editing, image manipulation, format conversion, screen capture, and related media tasks.

• Audio mixing

  MixPad

  MixPad is a sound-mixing application in NCH Software’s audio portfolio. It complements WavePad by addressing the mixing side of audio work and contributes to the company’s suite of specialized tools for recording and media production.

• Graphics and image editing

  PhotoPad

  PhotoPad is NCH Software’s photo and image-editing application. It extends the company’s creative software range beyond audio and video into graphics work and can serve as a supporting tool for users producing visual media.

• Video conversion

  Prism

  Prism is a video-format conversion utility. It supports the company’s media workflow by addressing compatibility and format-conversion needs alongside VideoPad and other NCH audio and video applications.

• Disc authoring

  Express Burn

  Express Burn is NCH Software’s disc-burning application. It belongs to the company’s utility and media-production portfolio, providing disc-authoring functionality alongside the firm’s editing, conversion, and recording products.

• Audio conversion

  Switch

  Switch is an audio-format conversion program. It complements WavePad and MixPad by handling format changes that may be required when moving audio among different applications, devices, or distribution workflows.

• Dictation and transcription

  Express Scribe

  Express Scribe is NCH Software’s transcription application. It represents the company’s business-oriented software activity and addresses workflows involving dictated or recorded material that must be reviewed and transcribed.

• File compression

  Express Zip

  Express Zip is a file-compression utility. It fits within NCH’s broader collection of practical desktop tools for managing, transferring, and organizing digital files.

• Screen recording and video capture

  Debut

  Debut is a screen recorder and video-capture application. It supports users who need to capture activity from a screen or other video source and complements NCH’s editing and conversion software.

• 2013

  Criticism over Google Toolbar bundling

  Some computer-security companies categorized NCH software as bloatware because certain installation packages bundled the Google Toolbar. NCH later announced that it had stopped the practice, and the company was subsequently reported as clean by major antivirus products.

  Source

Read more

• 2015

  End of Google Toolbar bundlingStrategy

  Background

  Security companies had criticized or categorized some NCH installations as bloatware because they included the Google Toolbar.

  Action taken

  NCH announced in July 2015 that it was no longer bundling the Google Toolbar with its software.

  Aftermath

  By November 30, 2015, NCH Software was reported as clean by all major antivirus products.

  Source

1. 1NCH Softwareen.wikipedia.org