DVD X Copy by Joseph Mui

March 31, 2003

Executive Summary

     DVD X Copy is a new amazing product introduced in 2002.  The application promises to make “exact” copies of an original movie DVD.  While testing the application, I conclude that DVD X Copy indeed fulfills its promises.  I had a generally pleasant experience with this application.  I was able to create a backup DVD movie in less than an hour.  The GUI interface was extremely simplistic.  One can literally backup a movie DVD with just 3 clicks of the mouse.  DVD X Copy also contains a simple tutorial lesson on showing the step-by-step process of backing up a DVD movie. 

     Again, 321 Studios, the company that created DVD X Copy claims that their application can create exact copies of any DVD movie.  In one sense, this statement can be true.  However, in another sense it is not.  Initial buyers of DVD X Copy might not realize that “exact” copies does not mean “exact” copies.  Due to the differences in media, namely DVD-9s and DVD-5s, it is impossible to make an exact copy of a movie DVD.  DVD-9’s can hold more information than a DVD-5.  Because of the fact that most DVD movies in the market are DVD-9s, DVD X Copy is forced to duplicate a single movie DVD into two backup DVDs.

     Despite DVD X Copy’s downfall, the simplicity to backup up a DVD movie really won me over.  My overall assessment of DVD X Copy is positive.  The application can be better if it were able to burn DVD-9ss DVD-5s. Currently there is no stand alone software available that can handle this daunting task.  However, with a combination of applications, it can be done.  Perhaps one day, future updated copies of DVD X Copy can handle such a task.