30 Years of Engelmann Software
Since 1995, we have been developing software in Dortmund. From a burning software pioneer to a modern software provider with 10 million licenses sold worldwide. A brief journey through our history.
The 10 most important milestones
Three decades is a long time. Here are the moments that have shaped us the most.
🔥 CDRWIN and the founding of the GmbH
Our success story begins with CDRWIN, one of the first burning software for Windows 95. At the same time, we founded Engelmann Media GmbH in Dortmund.
🌍 International Expansion & RecDev SDK
First sales to Japan mark the beginning of our international presence. With the RecDev SDK, we opened burning functions to third-party providers.
🏢 CeBIT Appearances & Multi-Burner Support
Our own booth at CeBIT in Hanover. With multi-burner support, we were the first to control several burners in parallel – a technical breakthrough.
🚀 MovieJack & Aldi Success
MovieJack sells 120,000 copies at Aldi Germany in just three days. We become the European market leader for video DVD copying solutions.
⚡ HDX4 Codec – fastest MPEG-4 worldwide
Our HDX4 codec is recognized in independent tests as the fastest MPEG-4 codec in the world. Used by Lufthansa and Fraunhofer IGD.
📷 Photomizer – AI Image Optimization
Multiple test winner in CHIP, PC Welt, and ComputerBild. Photomizer becomes a crowd favorite among amateur and professional photographers.
🛡️ Launch of the SecuPerts Brand
With SecuPerts, we specifically develop products for digital security, data protection, and anonymization. A new business field emerges.
🆘 Rescue Stick – Emergency Aid for PCs
Bootable USB stick for rescuing Windows systems after crashes or virus infections. Multiple award-winning, a new standard in data recovery.
🤝 Technology Transfer to Avast
Avast acquires our Driver Updater. Today, it is used worldwide under Avast, AVG, Norton, and CCleaner – proof of the quality of our development.
👨💼 Change of Generations
Pit Engelmann, son of the founder, takes over the management. The next generation leads Engelmann into a new era.
The complete chronicle
For those who want to know more: Here is the detailed journey through our company history.
🌱 The Beginnings: Pioneering work in burning software
1995: Start of burning software development for DOS – a step towards technical independence. Equipped with a business license and under the name "MPE – Multimedia Produkte Engelmann".
1996: Sale of the first software for copying PlayStation 1 games over the Internet – including the establishment of one of the first commercial homepages in the German-speaking area.
1997: First mentions in trade magazines such as PC Shopping, PC Welt, and c't – an important step towards brand awareness.
📈 Growth & Innovation
1998: Release of the Windows 95-compatible burning software CDRWIN. Founding as Engelmann Media GmbH in Dortmund.
1999: Exceeding the mark of 25,000 customers. Entry into stationary retail via Media Markt, Karstadt, Saturn and others.
🌏 Internationalization & Bestsellers
2000: Start of international expansion – first software sales in Japan. Release of the RecDev SDK for third-party providers. CDRWIN appears as Magix CD burnR deLuxe in the Magix distribution channel and is even given away via McDonald's.
2001: Introduction of the MovieJack product line. Development of the globally compatible 99-minute CDs under the Disc4You subsidiary brand.
2001–2003: Large dedicated stand at CeBIT in Hanover. Partnerships with over 50 burner manufacturers worldwide, including TEAC, Yamaha and numerous manufacturers from Japan and Taiwan. Development of multi-burner support.
At CeBIT 2002, our glowing green CDRWIN absinthe with the slogan "CDRWIN – copies and burns like hell" caused a stir and became a cult among trade fair visitors.
2002: European market leader for video DVD copying solutions. International distribution in USA, Benelux, France, England, Italy and Spain. MovieJack sells 120,000 copies via Aldi in three days. Launch of GameJack.
⚖️ Setback & Realignment
2003: Change of German copyright law. Over 90% of previous products had to be discontinued. Nevertheless: over 5 million products sold by then.
2003: Our US partner 321 Studios loses several lawsuits against Hollywood studios and game developers such as Atari, EA Sports, and Vivendi. Closure in August 2004.
2003: Partnership with the Japanese internet company Livedoor. Strengthening of international presence, terminated in 2006 after a financial scandal at Livedoor.
🎵 Multimedia, Audio & Modern Development
2003: Engelmann Software, together with S.A.D., becomes exclusive DivX Pro Partner in Europe and Japan. Distribution in Japan via Holon, a Toyota subsidiary.
2004: Presentation of the software AudioJack – even in the ZDF Tagesthemen. AudioJack is pre-installed on Medion PCs. Development of the TuneUp Utilities E-Mail Backup (never released).
2005: Development of the HDX4 codec by Jomigo GmbH (100% subsidiary of Engelmann). Fastest MPEG-4 codec in the world according to c't and doom9.org. Used by Lufthansa and Fraunhofer IGD. Still used today in MyFormatConverter and MovieJack.
2005: Further development of burning technology with Blu-ray support. Partnership with Sony for official MP4 specifications for PlayStation Portable (PSP) and MP4 players.
2006–2008: Transition to .NET Framework 3.0. One of the first providers worldwide with commercial .NET 3 applications in retail. Development of the Magix Total Media Converter for Magix.
2009: Proprietary copy protection system for software DVDs. Discontinued in 2013 with the shift to online distribution.
💡 Digital Restructuring & AI
2010: Beginning of distribution of Sven Schmidts' OnlineTV product line.
2011: Engelmann develops white-label products for MAGIX, S.A.D., BHV, GData, Data Becker and many others.
2012: Introduction of Photomizer. Multiple test winner in CHIP, PC Welt and ComputerBild. Presented on WDR Television.
2013: Photomizer as an iPhone app. Photomizer SDK is integrated in the medical field (X-ray image optimization), by photo laboratories and online photo providers.
2014: MyFormatConverter – Universal conversion for all devices.
2015: Over 10 million software licenses sold worldwide.
🔒 Focus on Security & Data Recovery
2016: Launch of SecuPerts – security, data protection and anonymization.
2017: Development of the Rescue Stick (initially as First Aid Kit) – bootable USB stick for Windows recovery.
2018: Development of Forensic System and Driver Updater.
2019: Rescue Stick becomes test winner in several computer magazines in Europe.
2020: Avast acquires our Driver Updater. Today available worldwide under Avast, AVG, Norton, Avira and CCleaner.
🚀 Strategic Realignment
2020: Rebranding to Engelmann Software GmbH. Stronger positioning as a modern software provider.
2021: Comprehensive relaunch of all main products. Focus on user-friendliness and modern UI.
2022: International social media strategy. Video tutorials, Instagram campaigns, community building.
2023: First integration of AI functions in Photomizer and Rescue Stick.
🌟 Engelmann Software Today
May 2024 – Change of Generations: Pit Engelmann, son of the founder, takes over operational management as the new CEO. A new era begins.
2025: With fresh ideas, exciting projects, and three decades of experience under our belts, we are eagerly anticipating future developments. Let's see what else the year has in store for us!
From Dortmund. Since 1995. For the next 30 years.
We look forward to embarking on the future with you. Check out our current offers or learn more about us.
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