DVDXCopy XPRESS

lugesm · #1 13-05-2003, 17:02

Just backed up my copy of "Memphis Belle" with this program; my first use of the product.

It worked perfectly, but "Memphis Belle" is only 107 minutes long anyway, so not much compression was necessary.

What is the longest movie anyone has backed up with the XPRESS version of this program AND RETAINED GOOD VIDEO??

Thanks,
LGS

lugesm · #2 13-05-2003, 20:44

VERY ANNOYING.

Since loading DVDXCopy XPRESS, every time I boot the computer I get a dialog box asking me to "Select a DVD burner from the list below." I make a selection, but the program just asks the same question the next time I boot. BUG???

Does anyone know if there is a way to avoid this?

Thenks,
LGS

bighap · #3 14-05-2003, 00:32

They do have 2.1 out now. That might fix it.

lugesm · #4 14-05-2003, 04:02

bighap -

The program I downloaded yesterday was version 2.0.1.

Revisited their site this morning, and they indicate that 2.0.1 is the current version. I could find nothing about a version 2.1.
Am I missing something?

Thanks,
LGS

bighap · #5 14-05-2003, 08:43

Sorry, 2.0.1 is what I meant.

lugesm · #6 14-05-2003, 09:46

Thanks, bighap.

In addition to the fact that I have to select a DVD burner drive EVERY time I boot the machine, I have found another potential issue:

If I simply launch Xpress and insert a DVD Movie when prompted (in the drive selected when my machine booted), the program freezes and nothing else happens.

The program has changed something in my drive software such that I have to insert a DVD movie, start the "Play" mode under another program, then stop the "Play" mode after the movie starts. Then when I launch "DVDXCopy Xpress" it works as it should.

I am beginning to think this program is not yet ready for prime time.

LGS

lunardave5 · #7 14-05-2003, 16:22

Quote:

Originally posted by lugesm
VERY ANNOYING.

Since loading DVDXCopy XPRESS, every time I boot the computer I get a dialog box asking me to "Select a DVD burner from the list below." I make a selection, but the program just asks the same question the next time I boot. BUG???

Does anyone know if there is a way to avoid this?

Thenks,
LGS

I was thinking the same thing, hope they fix it soon.
I have backed up saving private ryan and gladiator with expess
and both came out very nice, so far I'm happy with express.

lugesm · #8 15-05-2003, 03:16

lunardave5 -

The DVD, "Saving Private Ryan," is a long movie for compression to a single DVD disc; must have been 50% compression, or more.

Can you tell us what the video quality was like if you were able to view the compressed version on a good quality TV or monitor?

Thanks,
LGS

lunardave5 · #9 15-05-2003, 09:38

I would say the video quality was that of a new vhs movie.
I played it on a 27 in jvc 'D' series w\s-video and toshiba dvd player.Just to compare for you I also played parts of it thru my pc
w\gforce2 and a mag 17 in flat screen at 800x600.
If you want to fit a movie on one dvd, express does a very good job.

lugesm · #10 15-05-2003, 14:35

lunardave5 - - -

Thanks for your comments. Very helpful.

LGS

bighap · #11 15-05-2003, 22:48

@ lugesm
Finally got Xpress today. To get rid of that annoying drive select popup when booting your computer, go to your startup items and disable DriveSelect. Will try it out either tonight or tomorrow and report back my results with Braveheart(2 hours 57 min long and 7.94gb)

lugesm · #12 16-05-2003, 03:20

bighap -

Thanks for the info; I removed it, and that solved the problem.
One has to wonder why Xpress placed that icon in the startup folder anyway.

The following problem was present before and after the removal of the "Drive Select" icon from the startup folder:
I have the problem that the program will not start properly. I get to the part where it asks that the user insert a DVD movie. I insert a movie and nothing happens.

I have found that I can make Xpress work by using the following:

1. Insert DVD movie.
2. Allow "AUTOPLAY" to start my "PowerDVD" movie player program to start the movie normally.
3. Shut down "Power DVD"
4. Launch Xpress.

After step 4 Xpress works okay.

Are you having this problem?

I look forward to your comments on the video quality of "Braveheart" after compression by Xpress.

Thanks,
LGS

bighap · #13 16-05-2003, 12:33

Well I have to say I am pretty impressed with the output quality of such a large movie. Seeing that there aren't many if any movies bigger than this, it can only be better for other movies. I would say that the quality was that of about a lightly used vhs. That is pretty good considering the masive size of Braveheart. I am sure you would be able to notice the quality loss much more if you had a nice cinema series tv though. Even though the quality loss wasn't too noticeable, I just got this program for testing purposes and don't plan on keeping it, as I look for perfection when it comes to audio and video. I will be sticking to the compression free dvdxcopy. Plus I am hoping to get a real nice monster sized widescreen tv soon and I know I will see the difference even more then.

@ lugesm
I had no freezing problem when inserting a dvd when prompted. Have you tried starting the program with the dvd already in your drive? What OS you running?

lugesm · #14 16-05-2003, 14:11

bighap -

Yes, I have tried starting the program with the dvd already in my drive.

That only works if I have previously inserted the DVD movie and started play with my movie player program, PowerDVD. If I have not started the play process (with PowerDVD) and cancelled it, the program (Xpress) ignores the DVD in my drive.

I am running Win XP with all of the latest updates. I have written 321 Studios about this, but they have not answered.

Actually, it gets worse. If I attempt to run Xpress (which fails) and then try to run DVDXCopy, it also fails to recognize the CD in the drive.

All of this started when I loaded Xpress.