I know a lot of people will dismiss this as "just another converter", but actually it is very much more than that. Usually you need to convert the files first and then use a DVD authoring package to assemble the converted files into a DVD (there are menus, chapters, .ifo files, etc. to be sorted out, you cannot just burn the converted files to a DVD and expect to play them on ordinary DVD players for example). Some people have been confused about that when leaving comments for programs that will only convert video.

This really is a combination of video converter and DVD authoring package, all in one. It is not as flexable as seperate software, but it is not as complex to use either. Personally, I think they have got the mixture about right on this - They have neat little features (that seem to be underplayed, as they are quite good!) such as being able to set the audio level for each seperate input file, and ALSO being able to set how much the audio should be ahead or behind the video. This happens often because a conversion has been done, which has used the wrong bit rate for the audio, so it goes out of synch with the video. This can correct that, which is not a common feature on a lot of programs that only videos, so is all the more impressive on a "combined" program like this.

Which brings me to to the only major drawback I've found while experimenting with the program today. That is when you are altering the sound in the preview pane, you get multiple pop-up warnings that the video might not be in sync with the audio, but that will not affect the output however, as it is only the preview it effects. Well, the multiple pop-ups are very annoying. They can easily be disabled, but that is not the point. It needs to be rewritten, so that they only come up once, not multiple times. More importantly, how can you preview the effect of advancing or retarding the audio track against the video, to get them back in sync, when the preview pane itself is introducing it's own serious mis-timing?

That really needs to be addressed, if it can be sorted out, then this program would be a real winner for most people, as it would be so flexable and yet still easier to learn than seperate software packages. At the moment, you are reduced to experimenting and most people will not be prepared to bother with all that trial-and-error for anything other than the most treasured recordings. My benchmark for things like that is always Irfanview - Although it is for altering stills, not video, their preview function is superb. I realise the coding is a lot harder for video, but if it could be done, this software would be outstandingly simple to use.

Finally, I've not had chance today to explore it fully, but I have not found any setting for output quality? As in, are you recording at 1 hour per DVD, 2 hours, 4 hours, etc? That setting makes an incredible difference to the output quality, so I would have appreciated knowing what it was set to, or if it was automatically adjusted (in which case, how many minutes do the input videos tally to please?)

In adjustments, it would be nice to balance the colours and perhpas sharpen as well? They are a suprising amount of effects in there already, some very unusual to find in video. However color balanceing and sharpening are likely to prove more useful than several variations on "Emboss".

Full kudos though for having settings for black & white, negative, vertical and horizontal flipping. These should be basic in all conversion/DVD authoring packages, but a suprising number of them leave one or more of these out.

TeeK  –  15 years ago  –  A fost util acest comentariu? da | nu (+76)

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Today's offering will suit many people as it offers a nice set of simplified help introduction notes making it easy for those new to editing and producing home video output.
The gui is on the tidy side and should not present any problems to new users. Although some have commented on its limitations, this program will nonetheless help someone create something worthwhile as it offers most of the basic necessary tools.
Add chapters, audio, letterbox format output 16.9 or 4.3, Pal or NTSC, 2 core etc. Not sure how it will handle a 4 core pc as I have yet to try it.
The cpu rates seem to fluctuate quite normally (XP sp3 on Intel3.7Ghz power boost pc & Intel2.40Ghz HP machine) but as expected should not cause problems on moderate run-of-the-mill pcs. Obviously the more powerful your pc has, the better. I don't have time to put it through a thorough examination this am but my first impression is that it is certainly worthwhile for those who require such software - especially since it's free today.
What it offers is a fairly quick method of producing video related output to the usual 4.7 DVD & DL. If you need it, then grab it. Thanks to GOTD & the people at MediAvatar S Studio.
Other handy options include: Avidemux, Pinnacle VideoSpin etc.

Struan  –  15 years ago  –  A fost util acest comentariu? da | nu (+65)

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So I went to web-site and downloaded Copy from there.

The same limitation, 99 files Max

Looks good, may be good, but to limited to use

sorry

Lennard Gill  –  15 years ago  –  A fost util acest comentariu? da | nu (+55)

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@Lennard Gill
I must say I do believe that DVD specifications will only allow 99 titles.So I don't think it's a program problem,rather the program try to stay with DVD standards.You could join videos together first with program like AviDemux and then make your DVD.Hope this helps ,and if it's not accurate info than my apologies.

Pooj  –  15 years ago  –  A fost util acest comentariu? da | nu (+53)

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on a quick try out it seems to only take 99 files and not loads any more???

Lennard Gill  –  15 years ago  –  A fost util acest comentariu? da | nu (+38)

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