software to copy DVD's

[rsye]

I am new to Mac, just recieved the iMacG5, and I am trying to acclimate myself to it. I was looking for software to make backup copies of DVD's. Popcorn was touted, but when I went to their site, they excluded anyone from logging in to their discussion groups. Based on the nature and number of complaints I could well understand why. Their software is only downloadable, which means to me they are not sufficiently confident in its current performance to invest in carving it into the hills and valleys of a CD or DVD, and need to continue to revise the program as they go along. Does any one have experience with another program that is reliable?

 

[swiftaw]

Hmm, Popcorn is only downloadable? I wonder what is contained on my Popcorn CD inside the Popcorn box that I bought a few weeks ago?

 

[Duff-Man]

Duff-Man says..."downloadable only" is no way to gauge the usefulness or reliability of software - it is an extremely efficient way of distributing software and updates. Lokk at "Mac the Ripper" (since you are talking about DVD copying) - it's download only and works wonderfully as do countless other freeware/shareware/commercial applications. Please, judge software by how it works for *you* - not by how it was obtained....oh yeah!

 

[rsye]

downloadable

The Roxio site states that it is only downloadable, that is the source I was relying on. Had I been able to order it, as you seem to have been able to do, I would not have made the post that I did. And is yours working right? As to reliability of software, share ware would be expected to be downloadable as the costs of making CD's or Dvd's for distribution, then mailed to a requestor free of charge would not be something one would expect to happen. When a major player in the game, only distributes it that way I will remain dubious as to it's value.

I know, AOL and others mail out free CD's to get you to sign up for their internet service but they expect a return on their investment. I am considering how to glue them together, paint them an appropriate color, and use them to frighten birds away from the garden!

 

[Hoven]

The Roxio site states that it is only downloadable {...}

Well, 2 quickie comments on this:

1) I actually own Popcorn. It works exactly as it says. It isn't fancy, or bloated full of little used features and it won't work on protected media (aka Blockbuster rentals ) But it does suck in a DVD, and make a copy. I use it to make copies of movies I've put together in iMovie/iDVD. Bottom line, it works fine. Oh, and I downloaded it from Roxio's site.

2) I'm pretty sure I've seen Popcorn for sale in my local Apple store... in a box. So Roxio's site may only do downloads, but that doesn't mean it isn't available elsewhere in box form.

 

[JzzTrump22]

Popcorn is the way to go. When I copy movies, I first use Mac The Ripper to rip them to my machine then I burn the video TS folder with Popcorn. Both programs work perfectly, never had a problem. You could also use Toast for burning data dvd's.

 

[jeremy.king]

As an owner of both Toast and Popcorn, I must say that rsye's faith in a software companies reliability based on choice of distribution method is a bit flawed. Both these programs work for me as advertised. I did have a small issue with Popcorn not playing nice with DVDs ripped with MTR using the Main Feature extraction. Instead I rip the entire DVD with MTR, and simply extract the main movie using Popcorn instead.

Your lack of faith in a "major player" is disturbing considering that nowadays everyone wants their software yesterday. As IBM advertises - "Its an on-demand world." I, for one, actually enjoy being able to download my software right at purchase time. I can then burn many installer programs to one CD for archiving. Man! I can't believe I had to spend $.10 on a disc and 2 mins of my life to actually do so.

Also, your claim of many complaints seems unnecessary. Really, how many people who have no problems with the software are actually going to post on the support forums???

Anyways, if you really must have a printed manual and stamped CD, see Amazon.com...see Buy.com....see Newegg.com...Had you attempted any research at all, or even bothered to Call Roxio, you would find that they do distribute CDs

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=20364765&loc=105&sp=1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832110220
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...93478-0596739?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846

 

[lazyboy922]

Mac the Ripper and Popcorn, you can't beat 'em

 

[mklos]

There's a freeware program called DVDBackup. It will strip out the encoding, can make the DVD region free, etc...

Its a free download off http://www.versiontracker.com:

http://www.versiontracker.com/php/d...cc.com/download/FTP/CR751246/DVDBackup1.3.sit

 

[neocell]

Personally I liked (past tense) DVDbackup, but it doesn't work completely in Tiger (you only get partial copies). Mac the Ripper is good, then DVD2oneX will give you better compression quality than Popcorn and more options, but whatever works for you

 

[krimson]

There's a freeware program called DVDBackup. It will strip out the encoding, can make the DVD region free, etc...

Its a free download off http://www.versiontracker.com:

http://www.versiontracker.com/php/d...cc.com/download/FTP/CR751246/DVDBackup1.3.sit

IIRC, DVDBackup doesn't work on ArcOSS encryption, for that, MTR works great.

 

[Flynnstone]

I've used Handbrake. I like it. Has anyone else used it? comments?