DVD Copyware, first impression

[aero]

As some of you may know DVD copyware is very similar to dvdxcopy, with the added advantage of none of this one generation stuff, intro's etc.

So far I have installed the software and used it to make a few dozen copies all of which have turned out perfectly.

I had one initial problem in that DVD Copyware only recognized my nec rw and refused to recognize my JLMS (JVC, nee Liteon) 166s dvd rom.
I sent an email to redxpress support. Ater 48hours of hearing nothing was about to report to you all that their support was problematic. As it turned out my anti-spam software had filtered "dvd copy" and they had sent a response within 30 minutes pointing me to an updated version link which solved that problem.

So I would give DVD Copyware:
Ease of use: A
Support: A
Price: B, Same price as xcopy but you have to wait for xcopy rebate.
Reliability: A, My set up is fairly cheap. I have a $700 emachines (2625) that came with the jlms and nec. For less then $200 I brought it up to a gig ram and added a ati radion aiw (64m). Using DVD Copyware I have backed up a few dozen DVD's with essentially on click to one or two disks without a single error as far as I can tell (I have viewed just more than half of the copied dvds). I am using just about the cheapest dvd-r's I can find (verbatim datalife plus). no problems so far reading on either my stand alone dvd player or xbox.

If one is looking for a simple one click solution this is pretty good.

Last time I mentioned dvd copyware here others mentioned dvd shrink, which is free and a great program. Two points: 1)dvd shrink's latest betas now include burning, but if you go to dvdshrink.org's site it specifically says it will not burn. Ok that has changed, people would easily construe it not to be a single program solution. 2) DVD shrink is more complex. It is easy for experts not to see this, and indeed prefer it, but there is no question its options also create more effort and are not needed for most people just wishing to back up dvds.

[mrbass]

As some of you may know DVD copyware is very similar to dvdxcopy, with the added advantage of none of this one generation stuff, intro's etc.

So far I have installed the software and used it to make a few dozen copies all of which have turned out perfectly.
A, My set up is fairly cheap. I have a $700 emachines (2625) that came with the jlms and nec.

now don't take this as a cheap shot because it's not. Based on what you've said (emachine, etc.) I think there's nothing wrong with DVD Copyware and it suits you just fine. As time goes by and when/if you encounter limitations to you current method then you might want to consider alternative programs. Until then continue on what works best for you.

[jdizzy40]

Don't take this wrong either, but what you are posting is not groundbreaking. There are plenty of ways to back-up DVDs sucessfully each time. And if you think that DVD Shrink is difficult to use, then you have never used it. But then again most people don't know how to use Windows Explorer (it's real difficult directing a program to put it's files in a folder you designate). And my way doesn't allow the program to take a snap shot of my I.P address either. Be aware of who you buy software from.

[dxn1999]

[quote="aero"]

So far I have installed the software and used it to make a few dozen copies all of which have turned out perfectly.

quote]


My 1st impression is it doesnt work. I have tired to copy 8 dvds and they all dont work in my dvd player. No its not my dvd media or burnner with the problem I can use other software to make dvd copies and those are all free and work. The company tritton that is the usa support isnt much help just directing to redxress.com in the UK. they dont seem to understand engish because I told them what my problem was and all they could say is they were fine tumeing their software and send them the ifos of the dvds that didnt work duh well all of them dont work so what good does it for me to send the ifos of each movie. doesnt sound like they know what they are doing. I have asked this question before but does anyone have a working copy of dvd copyware. the copy I have doesnt seem to work.

[MackemX]

I'm pleased you are happy with it aero and hope you enjoy it always

generally I think all the backup programs work and its the users that don't know how to use them or feed them crap and that's how they don't work

I guess I say this because once you show someone the correct method and that it does actually work when properly used, they are very happy with it. This is proven by the fact every program has people that use it, so it shows they work when used properly on a properly setup system and this goes for all software I suppose. If they didn't work then nobody would use them at all would they?

I know some programs may still have issues that cannot be fixed or overcome even in the best of hands but it's never as much as what people make out and it will be a very small minority

[aero]

OK, I do love and use dvd shrink, but so far I have copied about 80 dvd's, mostly 9's, with dvd copyware, and had five which I ended up preferring dvd shrink.

I would estimate these copying jobs saved many hours over dvd shrink. Time is money.

I have used dvd copyware on four platforms with varying hardware and had no problems on that side either. In terms of playback I have tested over ten of my copies (I tend to use tdk 2x -r's) on four different stand alones, including jvc, panasonic, xbox as well as a panasonic portable. no problems.

I have my doubts about what was said about tritton and redxpress support, as I did need one version update to add to dvd copyware's functionality, and got a response from BOTH tritton and redxpress with url to new version within one business hour of emails.

To the writer who had the problem, I would say your details are sketchy. For example you have had no problems with other programs. Well what burning software did you use successfully in the past? I said I have had no problem with straight install on four different platforms. I would say try basic troubleshooting such as a)burning from the \workspace directly with nero, and b) toggling "output disk ready" would tell you where your problem lies.

I think some people don't want to believe in simple solutions. As far as the $50 bucks, please, the user time difference in using copyware v. shrink makes up for that in less then a dozen dvd’s.

now don't take this as a cheap shot because it's not. Based on what you've said (emachine, etc.)

Mr Bass,
Don't take this as a cheap shot either but many people think that people today with dells, compaqs, hp's and gateways are typically neophytes who are paying 30% more than they need to for the same specs elsewhere. The people in my office ten and fifteen years ago who looked down on my Gateway (which cost half as much) when they had IBM's, thought everything else was garbage. Good for them, I hope their 8088's are still running, what for, I don't know.
I have owned about every make and model of machines made in the past 20 years, starting with my CPM Kaypro. I have built a number of boxes in younger days myself. I have in my desk every kind of media starting from 92k floppies. The recent Emachines are about the best bang for the buck you can get. I searched every vendor with every deal and paid at least $250 less then the exact same specs from dell, hp or gw. So don't be condescending about emachines - there are plenty of it professionals who swear by them over name brands. As any professional buyer would tell you (and I was one) Dell, hp, acer, gateway have all spent time at the top and bottom of reliability and support surveys. I hope you are running an Apple, because it is the only brand that has always remained at the top.