Digital Home Thoughts: Roxio DVD Copy: Not What I Was Expecting

Roxio sent me a copy of their new software, DVD Copy. So naturally I assumed it would copy DVDs. I was surprised to see software like this coming out, since with the advent of the DCMA, USA-based companies can't sell software that breaks DVD encryption. After installing DVD Copy, I was presented with a nice-looking interface...and a stunning lack of advanced functionality. The user-interface is superb - very professional and easy to use. In fact, this is one of the best-looking applications I've used, surpassing even the tasty interface of Nero 6. But once I looked below the surface, I was disappointed with what I found - or, rather, what I didn't find. Here's a screenshot of the UI:



Beyond the UI, there's not much more to appreciate: the software will not copy encrypted DVDs, which to me makes most of their marketing a farce. Sure, there's the fine print that points out that encrypted DVDs can't be copied, but I've yet to find a Hollywood movie that isn't encrypted, so the fact that they advertise the ability to copy "DVD movies" is misleading at best. If you use a tool like DVD Shrink and create a DVD ISO image, DVD Copy will burn it...but so will the bundled software you likely got with your DVD burner. I have Nero Burning ROM installed on my system, so when I use DVD Shrink to copy a DVD, it will burn it for me as well.

Ultimately, that's the bottom line with this software: for $49.99 USD, it probably doesn't do anything that your current CD burning software can't already do. The UI is great, but the functionality doesn't break into new ground. If it allowed you to do something interesting with transcoding, say to take a home-made DVD and burn a VCD from it in one step, that might be something...but as it stands right now, Roxio's DVD Copy offers no compelling reason for purchasing it.