The Bottom Line
DVD Copy 5 Platinum is very easy to use DVD copying software. DVD Copy 5 lets users make an exact copy of any non-copyrighted DVD in 3 easy steps. Select your source (DVD drive or a folder on your hard drive), select the target destination (again DVD drive or hard drive) and then choose the format you want your copy to be in (MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DivX, AVI, MOV and more). At $49.95 (U.S.), DVD Copy 5 is a great and affordable solution for DVD copying and video file conversion.
Pros
- Easy DVD Copying
- Video File Conversion
- Copy Direct to iPod and PSP
- Supports many file formats, including DivX and H.264
- Support for new HDV Camcorders
Cons
- Works best with a fast computer
- Big learning curve for advanced features
Description
- Copy DVDs and audio CDs
- Merge multiple video titles to one disc
- Copy and burn video files from hard drives and the Internet
- Copy your DVD-Videos onto your hard drive in MPEG-1, MPEG-2 or DivX format
- Erase re-writable discs with one click
- Compress dual-layer DVD-Videos onto single-layer DVDs
- Copy DVD-Video to Video CD
- Copy direct to Video iPod or PSP by compressing video to H.264 MPEG 4
- Supports LightScribe DVD Burners
- HDV Camcorder Support to import video from the Sony HDR-HC1, HDR-HC3, and HDR-FX1 camcorders.
Guide Review - InterVideo DVD Copy 5 Platinum
DVD Copy 5 Platinum runs the gamut for copying DVD-Videos to just about any file format. The interface is very intuitive and is good for beginners, while the advanced user will find many customizable features to keep busy for hours. My test for DVD Copy 5 was to duplicate a 15 minute DVD I had recorded from my Digital Camcorder to my DVD Recorder. I only had one DVD drive in my test PC, so instead of making a DVD to DVD copy, I decided to convert the DVD-Video to MPEG-2, and access it through Windows Media Player. After you open DVD Copy 5 the interface gives you 4 icons to work with your DVD or Video Files: DVD Copy, Merge DVD, File to DVD and Copy to Go. I chose Copy DVD and was presented with 3 steps to create my new video file.
1. Source - this is where you choose the source video, here I chose my DVD drive
2. Target - the destination of the video, I chose the My Videos folder on my C: drive
3. Copy as - the format you want to copy to, I chose MPEG-2
Once everything is set, you just hit the Start Copying icon and the conversion starts. After about 20 minutes, my MPEG-2 copy of the DVD was in the My Videos folder and ready to view on Windows Media Player. A great product for those who enjoy copying their home DVDs to different formats for playback on their PC or portable video player.
1. Source - this is where you choose the source video, here I chose my DVD drive
2. Target - the destination of the video, I chose the My Videos folder on my C: drive
3. Copy as - the format you want to copy to, I chose MPEG-2
Once everything is set, you just hit the Start Copying icon and the conversion starts. After about 20 minutes, my MPEG-2 copy of the DVD was in the My Videos folder and ready to view on Windows Media Player. A great product for those who enjoy copying their home DVDs to different formats for playback on their PC or portable video player.