DVD copying software sparks new legal battle

[RASTABT]

321 Studios is set to release a product that it claims will allow consumers to make perfect copies of their DVDs, but before the product hits the market, the start-up must first weather a legal storm brewing in its path.

The software maker plans to release on October 31 a product called DVD X Copy, which allows users to create "bit-for-bit" copies of their DVDs using a standard recordable DVD drive, says company president Robert Moore.

While the software promises to give consumers the same privileges they have for copying VHS movies, it is potentially against the law, according to industry experts. A U.S. legislation called the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act deems it illegal to distribute tools that circumvent copy prevention technologies used to protect DVD content. That is just what 321 Studios' software does.
Full story here:> h**p/www.idg.net/ic_953628_6108_1-3595.html

 

[Tommy]

They say it can be downloaded on the 28th of Oct, $79.95, $20 discount if pre-ordered. Demo, maybe.

FAQ
h**p://www.dvdxcopy.com/faq.htm

 

[nerogod]

arent most dvd video discs more than 4.7 gigs? most of the ones i've checkd are around 8 gigs. so then how would a 1 to 1 copy be done, without any compression?

 

[Tommy]

Well how are they done at present? Ripped, stripped etc etc. This prog will(apparently) do all of that, without the need of half a dozen or more progs. Read Faqs ont their site.

 

[chopster]

nerogod

I echo these sentiments also , just how do you cram a dvd movie even when stripped to the basics ie.just the movie and one soundtrack onto a single dvd without compression as most , though not all , stripped dvd movies are at least 5 gigs.
Especially as they boast an EXACT copy meaning all menus all extras etc.

Their faq says they do all this without any compression which in turn leads me to think that this exact copy will be split over 2 discs


Alas all this is just conjecture as all will be revealed soon...........

 

[nerogod]

yeah...we'll wait and see, but i still cant imagine how they're going to do it. as far as i can understand, i think dvd movie discs are double layered thus double capacity. a dvd-r\dvd+r are all single layer 4.7 gig discs.

so i would think that most copied movies with the DVDXCOPY software would have to be split amongst 2 dvd-r/dvd+r discs.....which I dont like. I think out of the 60 dvd movies I own, and out of the ones I checked the TOC size, only RONIN is under 5 gigs.
i'm excited to see the software come out......but suspicious also.

 

[soundforbjt]

Their claims for this software are misleading. They should state up-front that most of all recent movies will require multiple disc's.
We all know that it's nearly impossible to do a bit for bit copy for most recent movies on 1 disc. People (who don't know better) are going to buy this and be very disappointed. I can copy movies that are less than 4.7gb now with 2 clicks using DVD Decryter! Menus and all.
This is almost a scam IMO!

 

[drfatal]

Smartripper?

If this software was developed by their own in house prgramers why do they have smartripper on the their support site??

h**p://support.321studios.com/faqsupport.asp

 

[Tommy]

Please Read thier Faq.

Q. Is DVD X Copy compatible with Windows ME and Windows XP?

A. DVD X Copy is compatible with Windows 98/ME/NT/XP and 2000. DVD X Copy will NOT run on Windows 3.1.


Q. Is DVD X Copy compatible with Macintosh?

A. DVD X Copy is not compatible with Macintosh systems at this time. Check back with us in the future.


Q. What is the minimum requirements for using DVD X Copy?

A. - Pentium III 500mhz with 128mb of RAM
- Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP
- A DVD recordable drive connected to your computer
- Blank DVD-R(W) or DVD+R(W) discs (for recording)


Q. Is your software just a bundle of freeware or shareware?

A. No! DVD X COPY is a true "One-Click" application developed by our team at 321Studios. There is no freeware or shareware programs included in DVD X COPY.


Q. Can copied DVDs be played on a standard DVD Player?

A. Most DVD R(W) discs will play in your home DVD player. Please check with your Owner's Manual or Manufacturer to see if your player supports DVD recordable discs. To see a list of compatible DVD+R and DVD+RW players, click here.


Q. How many discs are required to burn one DVD?

A. Many DVD movies will fit onto one DVD disk, but on occasion, you will need/want to split the DVD onto two DVD+R disks.


Q. How long does it take to copy a DVD with DVD X COPY?

A. Some newer model computers can copy a DVD movie in one hour or less. Older computers may take a little longer, depending on the speed of their processor and DVD burner.


Q. Will my copy retain the same quality that is on my DVD?

A. Every copy made with DVD X COPY software is EXACTLY like the original. There is no video or audio compression. DVD X COPY is the first program to copy ANY DVD movie without any loss in quality.


Q. Does the copy retain all of the bonus footage and menus?

A. DVD X COPY will give you the option to copy BONUS footage, like trailers, interviews and other special features.


Q. Will DVD X Copy work with all DVD burners?

A. DVD X COPY supports almost every DVD burner on the market. Below is a list of supported DVD+R(W) and DVD-R(W) Burners:

Currently supported DVD-R(W) recorders:
+ Pioneer DVR-S101 (DVD-R, max 3.95 GB, external SCSI drive)
+ Pioneer DVR-S201 (DVD-R, max 4.7 GB, external SCSI drive)
+ Pioneer DVD-R7211 (DVD-R, max 4.7 GB, internal SCSI drive)
+ Pioneer DVR-A03 (DVD-R(W), max 4.7 GB, internal IDE/Atapi drive)
+ Pioneer DVR-A04 (DVD-R(W), max 4.7 GB, internal IDE/Atapi drive)
+ Panasonic DVD-R SW-9501 (DVD-R, Max 4.7 GB, external SCSI drive)

Currently supported DVD+RW recorders:
+ HP DVD Writer 100j (Max 4.7 GB, internal IDE/Atapi drive)
+ IDE-DVD DVDRW6001 (Max 4.7 GB, internal IDE/Atapi drive)
+ Philips DVD6001 (Max 4.7 GB, internal IDE/Atapi drive)
+ Philips DVDRW1208 (Max 4.7 GB, internal IDE/Atapi drive)
+ Philips DVD+RW-D01 (Max 4.7 GB, internal IDE/Atapi drive)
+ Ricoh DVD+RW MP5120 (Max 4.7 GB, internal IDE/Atapi drive)
+ Ricoh DVD+RW RW5120 (Max 4.7 GB, internal IDE/Atapi drive)
+ RICOH DVD+RW 2.4x8AA (Max 4.7 GB, internal IDE/Atapi drive)
+ <brandless> DVD+RW RW5120 (Max 4.7 GB, internal IDE/Atapi drive)
+ Sony DRU110 (Max 4.7 GB, internal IDE/Atapi drive)


Q. Is the DVD X Copy Software complicated?

A. DVD X COPY may be the easiest software you'll ever use! Insert your DVD Movie and a Blank DVD R(W) disc and click "COPY NOW" to begin copying your DVD movie. This can be done 1 of 2 ways:

1. If you have a DVD Recordable Drive AND a standard DVD Rom Drive, you may insert both the BLANK DVD R(W) disc and the DVD Movie you wish to backup.

~OR~

2. Insert your DVD Movie and click COPY NOW until DVD X COPY asks you to insert a blank DVD R(W) disc.

It couldn't be easier!


Q. How do I know DVD X Copy will work for me?

A. That's why we offer a full, unconditional money back guarantee on our shipped product. Although the DVD X Copy software product has proven itself time and time again, there are rare exceptions when our customers cannot make the product function, for reasons related to their particular hardware and software configurations. It doesn't happen very often, but in any case, we are always more than happy to honor our agreement and refund your full purchase price (less shipping & handling) if you are dissatisfied with the DVD X Copy product for any reason.


Q. How can you make such an offer on your guarantee?

A. Due to the large volume of consumer purchases, we can keep the price low and provide a rock solid guarantee. We already know that the majority of our customers appreciate the value of the DVD X COPY product line and also appreciate the email support, product enhancements and upgrades available only to registered users of the product.


Q. Can I purchase by telephone?

A. Absolutely! You can call 866-267-9693 toll free and talk to a live sales operator. Please remember if you have any questions about the product or need technical support, email us at support@dvdxcopy.com. The phone operators cannot answer your questions that are not already answered in this FAQ.


Q. Can I download a demo of the software?

A. Presently, we don't offer a demo for download. We are however working on one at this time and have plans to release a demo.


Q. Can DVD X Copy be used to copy rented DVDs?

A. You cannot use DVD X Copy to copy rented DVDs. DVD X Copy should only be used to make copies of DVDs you own for your personal use. Copyright laws protect the rights of artists and film companies, and 321 Studios asks that you respect those rights.


Q. Is it legal to copy DVDs I own?

A. Yes, you may copy DVDs you own for your personal use. You cannot copy DVDs in order to sell or give away copies, or for any commercial purpose. 321Studios respects the rights of artists and film companies, and the proper use of DVD X Copy does not violate those rights.


Q. Is DVD X Copy illegal?

A. 321Studios respects the rights of artists and film companies, and the proper use of DVD X Copy does not violate those rights. It is legal to make copies of DVDs you own for your personal use. You cannot copy DVDs in order to sell or give away copies, or for any commercial purpose

 

[xoltana]

321 DVD Copy.

what a crock of kak,would ya belive it install DVDX,and anything over 4.7 gig it splits onto 2 dvd-r disc's,all I can say is forget it,there are better methods out there.

 

[nerogod]

Does anyone have this software yet? It has been released recently. Just curious to how its working out for them.

thanks

 

[Blane]

A friend of mine has it and I viewed the first dvd that he made. DVD X Copy split spiderman into 2 dvd's. Both dvd's start with a dvd backup warning. The first dvd played fine. The second kept freezing and had alot of macroblocks.