Roxio DVD Copy: Not What I Was Expecting

[Jason Dunn]

Roxio sent me a copy of their new software, DVD Copy. So naturally I assumed it would copy DVDs. I was surprised to see software like this coming out, since with the advent of the DCMA, USA-based companies can't sell software that breaks DVD encryption. After installing DVD Copy, I was presented with a nice-looking interface...and a stunning lack of advanced functionality. The user-interface is superb - very professional and easy to use. In fact, this is one of the best-looking applications I've used, surpassing even the tasty interface of Nero 6. But once I looked below the surface, I was disappointed with what I found - or, rather, what I didn't find. Here's a screenshot of the UI:



Beyond the UI, there's not much more to appreciate: the software will not copy encrypted DVDs, which to me makes most of their marketing a farce. Sure, there's the fine print that points out that encrypted DVDs can't be copied, but I've yet to find a Hollywood movie that isn't encrypted, so the fact that they advertise the ability to copy "DVD movies" is misleading at best. If you use a tool like DVD Shrink and create a DVD ISO image, DVD Copy will burn it...but so will the bundled software you likely got with your DVD burner. I have Nero Burning ROM installed on my system, so when I use DVD Shrink to copy a DVD, it will burn it for me as well.

Ultimately, that's the bottom line with this software: for $49.99 USD, it probably doesn't do anything that your current CD burning software can't already do. The UI is great, but the functionality doesn't break into new ground. If it allowed you to do something interesting with transcoding, say to take a home-made DVD and burn a VCD from it in one step, that might be something...but as it stands right now, Roxio's DVD Copy offers no compelling reason for purchasing it.

[Jason Dunn]

Roxio sent me a copy of their new software, DVD Copy. So naturally I assumed it would copy DVDs. I was surprised to see software like this coming out, since with the advent of the DCMA, USA-based companies can't sell software that breaks DVD encryption. After installing DVD Copy, I was presented with a nice-looking interface...and a stunning lack of advanced functionality. The user-interface is superb - very professional and easy to use. In fact, this is one of the best-looking applications I've used, surpassing even the tasty interface of Nero 6. But once I looked below the surface, I was disappointed with what I found - or, rather, what I didn't find. Here's a screenshot of the UI:



Beyond the UI, there's not much more to appreciate: the software will not copy encrypted DVDs, which to me makes most of their marketing a farce. Sure, there's the fine print that points out that encrypted DVDs can't be copied, but I've yet to find a Hollywood movie that isn't encrypted, so the fact that they advertise the ability to copy "DVD movies" is misleading at best. If you use a tool like DVD Shrink and create a DVD ISO image, DVD Copy will burn it...but so will the bundled software you likely got with your DVD burner. I have Nero Burning ROM installed on my system, so when I use DVD Shrink to copy a DVD, it will burn it for me as well.

Ultimately, that's the bottom line with this software: for $49.99 USD, it probably doesn't do anything that your current CD burning software can't already do. The UI is great, but the functionality doesn't break into new ground. If it allowed you to do something interesting with transcoding, say to take a home-made DVD and burn a VCD from it in one step, that might be something...but as it stands right now, Roxio's DVD Copy offers no compelling reason for purchasing it.

[sub_tex]

I have Nero Burning ROM installed on my system, so when I use DVD Shrink to copy a DVD, it will burn it for me as well.

This is the way I burn my DVDs as well. I really don't see how anyone would find a reason to by this DVDCopy software considering it won't be able to do what 99% of the buying public will think it can.

[Zack Mahdavi]

Is it possible Roxio was developing this program in hopes that the other companies making similar DVD copy programs would win their lawsuits? Then, it would have been easy for Roxio to jump out with this program..

Unfortunately, the lawsuits didn't turn out well, and as a result, Roxio had to make major cuts in the features of DVD Copy?

That seems plausible to me.

[Chris Gohlke]

Originally Posted by sub_tex

This is the way I burn my DVDs as well. I really don't see how anyone would find a reason to by this DVDCopy software considering it won't be able to do what 99% of the buying public will think it can.

Just found DVD shrink yesterday and I must say, it is a great program. Copied two disks so far. But the disks don't work in all of my DVD players both of which I know play DVD-R's. When I run DVDshrink, it creates a Video TS folder and an Audio TS folder (the audio folder is empty for some reason?). Then I am just using Roxio to burn those to folders to a DVD. Is there anything else I should be doing to increase compatibility?

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Goldkey

But the disks don't work in all of my DVD players both of which I know play DVD-R's. When I run DVDshrink, it creates a Video TS folder and an Audio TS folder (the audio folder is empty for some reason?). Then I am just using Roxio to burn those to folders to a DVD. Is there anything else I should be doing to increase compatibility?

I've had the same problems myself - they play in some places and not in others. I'm a little confused by that because it would seem that if Nero is doing the burning, as it is in my case, then Nero should be generating the DVD header information that identifies the disc as a DVD. I have no good suggestions for you unfortunately.... :-(

[Chris Gohlke]

Still, they work in 2 of my 5 DVD players plus all my computer DVD drives, so that is more than adequate. I am still stunned by how great DVD shrink is. It is easy, fast, and free. Not to mention that it does exactly what most people want, it copies a real movie DVD.