Toast versus Popcorn help, please

[kwajaln]

I have been doing a lot of research, here and elsewhere, in preparation for backing up some DVDs. I have a 2.0 gHz iMac G5 with Toast Titanium, and am going to be getting a couple other helpers like MacTheRipper. BUT - I am confused about the differences between Toast and Popcorn. I have Toast. Do I need Popcorn, and even if I don't "need" it, what would be the advantages to getting it? THANK YOU very much for any input!

BILL

 

[erickkoch]

Which version of Toast do you have? I'm using version 7. If that's the version you have, no, you don't need Popcorn to make DVD backups. I use MacTheRipper and Toast 7, nothing else. Toast 7 compresses DVD files to fit on a 4.7 GB DVD and suppors the dual layer DVD's as well.

If you have Toast 6 you may need Popcorn to compress the DVD files if they are greater than 4.7 GB. Popcorn will do that but I think there are other utilities that are cheaper or free that will also compress DVD files.

I have never used Popcorn so I don't know if there are any advantages to having it but I think it's a waste of money if you already have Toast 7. Per other members discussing this before, Toast does a lot more than Popcorn.

 

[devilot]

If you have Toast 6 you may need Popcorn to compress the DVD files if they are greater than 4.7 GB. Popcorn will do that but I think there are other utilities that are cheaper or free that will also compress DVD files.

A free app that I and a lot of MR members use to compress DVD files is HandBrake.

 

[kwajaln]

Thanks you two! I should have mentioned in my original post that I have Toast Titanium 6, not 7. Now I will have to to add an upgrade to 7 as another option.

EDIT: Unfortunately, Roxio is not offering any upgrade pricing on version 7 of Toast. I was pleased to see an "Upgrade Center" tab on their site, but it shows the same price ($79.95 after mail-in rebate) as just purchasing it new! Bummer. What to do, what to do . . .

 

[Artful Dodger]

Hi, I think MacWorld did a "look at" between DVD2oneX and Popcorn. I use DTOX (DVD2oneX) as up to now it had some extra features over Popcorn but some like the idea of a single click App. Both will compress but since I don't have Popcorn I can't compair certain things that would be pro/con of both. If you have Toast then it's a matter of how much $$ do you wish to spend. I'll be buying Toast 7 for other reasons than getting Popcorn built into it but I'll give it a go and see if there is a difference.
As to the upgrade fee I think it's a bit steep since most stores or online vendors sell it for a reduced price anyway.

 

[devilot]

Apple as well as other retailers

are now offering Roxio/Toast 7 w/ a $20 mail in rebate so that the price would be $59.9x for a full version. There have been other disgruntles customers at the lack of a true upgrade 'discount' but eh, whatcha gonna do? Apple's page on it here. Or for some odd reason, if you'd rather a different retailer; CompUSA (same price, mind you). Or if you get it from Amazon I guess you'd get free shipping and sort of no taxes...