|
Installation
and Software:::...
DVD
X Copy Xpress
321
Studios' X Copy software suite has certainly had
a controversial existence, though in some ways the
controversy was perhaps its best advertisement, not
just because it got the name known out there but also
because it was based on the fact that it was far too
good at what it was created to do.....copy DVDs!
Being
the "Xpress" version you don't get the option
to copy special features and menus though you can
upgrade for an extra $20.
The
simple interface belies the power that's lurks beneath
but so far results here are been unpredictable at
best. Maybe I need to spend a little more time fiddling
but so far in three attempts it either left me with
a copy that wouldn't play right through or which didn't
squeeze the entire movie on one disk. Next time I'll
take a flip through the User
Guide (*.pdf).
Precisely
how long this title will be freely available is anyone's
guess but it's a clever and much welcomed inclusion
to the package. It doesn't offer the same level of
control and flexibility as some other software on
the market but that isn't its brief. It was designed
to offer simple, fuss-free backups with the minimal
of confusing parameter setting for the less experienced
user and that's exactly what it does, well, in theory
anyway.
Instant
CD/DVD 8
Create,
burn and copy CDs and DVDs quickly and easily with
InstantCD/DVD. Encode and manage MP3 files, burn audio
CDs, back up data, and build photo and video slideshows
that play in your living room DVD player. InstantCD/DVD
exceeds all of your disc creation requirements.
If
you haven't heard of Pinnacle
Systems then you probably haven't had much to
do with video manipulation on the PC. Emmy award winning
Pinnacle systems have a long and enviable reputation
amongst even the most demanding of professional digital
video users from the likes of you and me and our holiday
vids to the big broadcast companies who demand both
power and flexibility from their software.
Instant
VideoAlbum & PhotoAlbum
Also
by the much revered Pinnacle
Systems, this is what they tell us you can do
with the slightly clumsily titled Instant Video Album
& Photo Album:
Quickly
organize your digital photos and video clips into
interactive, high-resolution slideshows, burn them
onto CD or DVD and watch them on your TV with Instant
PhotoAlbum. Instant PhotoAlbum quickly turns your
photos into exciting productions that you can share
and enjoy with friends and family for years to come.
Installation:::...
Installation
was a total breeze which pretty much consisted of
plugging it in and switching it on. The unit was recognised
in WindowsXP and the drive worked perfectly in Nero
and also with Pinnacle once it had been updated using
the supplied CD. Drivers are supplied for users of
earlier versions of Windows.
CloneCD:::...
CloneCD
was obviously thrilled with the DiViD, displaying
a clean sweep of the important capabilities for a
fighting chance at a working backup of your favourite
copy-protected game.
As
you can no doubt see, CloneCD gives away the identity
of the optical drive DiViD have opted for, a Toshiba
SD-R5272, and it's a drive that I already know to
have a solid reputation among those using it.
Nero
Infotool :::...
Likewise
with Nero's InfoTool with one particularly glaring
exception. I'm afraid those of you who have learned
to love the simplified file handling that comes with
Mount Rainier support are out of luck as the DiViD,
or rather the Toshiba SD-R5272 doesn't support it.
Not in this firmware release anyway.
At
2MB it could be argued that the buffer size is a touch
on the mean side but this is still the standard quota
in most drives, and though there can be some small
impact to performance it's no longer much of a risk
in terms of underruns.
All
my SafeDisc 2 games were copied both quickly and more
importantly accurately. The DiViD is a great choice
for backing up your, errmm, fave games.
|
