| User review:
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One gripe I have with this program (am currently using the free version) is that it removes the layer break when you're copying a dual-layer DVD to an .iso file even when you ask it not to by removing the checkmark beside "Remove layer break" under Common Settings. That's a surprising oversight for a program that costs as much as this ($50 for a 1 year license just to use the DVD functions).
My "go to" programs for backing up DVDs have until lately been DVD Shrink and RipIt4Me/DVD Decrypter, but when I found I had trouble backing up the full disc of the latest Rambo movie, I tried this program out and it worked like a charm.
However, I just tried to back up the 4-disc Criterion Collection release of The Last Emperor, and found that:
1. On disc 1 of the set, I get a CRC error from ImgBurn when burning the rip from DVDFab to a Verbatim DL disc (though if I click "retry" a few times, the disc does finish, finalize, and pass verification). These types of errors, I've come to find out, are usually indicative of some sort of a sneaky data protection scheme on the source disc. The same thing happened when I burned an .iso of the same disc that was made using RipIt4Me/DVD Decrypter. In other words, DVD Fab did no better than DVD Decrypter on this disc.
2. On disc 3 of the set, I got so many CRC errors while trying to burn the output from DVDFab that the burn failed midway through and could not be finished and finalized.
I don't know exactly what the problem is, but it seems as though there's something about these two discs (particular disc 3) that is messing DVDFab up; maybe a protection that DVDFab isn't able to break.
I had another experience where DVDFab was unable to copy a disc that had a nasty scratch, but DVD Shrink had no problem copying it at all.
The free version of DVD Fab is a useful addition to one's toolkit, since it can deal with protection schemes with which DVD Shrink and DVD Decrypter can't, not having been updated in a number of years. So it's good for the occasional troublesome DVD like Rambo, and it's also useful for getting data on the protection schemes used on a DVD before trying to back it up, potentially saving you from making coasters from expensive DL blanks. However, as a paid program, I don't think DVD Fab is worth what they're asking for it, especially given the problems outlined above and the fact that DVD Shrink and RipIt4Me, which are both free, can deal with about 80% of the discs out there, despite their age.
I only gave the program an 8 on "ease of use" because although it is easy to use, I found the interface almost too dumbed down, which ironically made it harder to use. Instead of using a standard Windows interface, with all of the menus made clearly available up top, it took me a while to figure out how to get to the program's settings, or that you even could change the settings.
I also noticed on DVDFab's website that they give you 20% off if you buy the program by such and such a date. Thing is, when "such and such" a date [fill in the blank] rolls around, the offer is always renewed for another x amount of weeks. In other words, they're using deceptive marketing practices to try to get you to buy the program RIGHT NOW. I find such practices rather insulting myself. If a 1 year license really only costs $40, then just say so, instead of charging $50 and telling people you're giving them a 20% discount for a "limited time." If you want to improve sales, then concentrate on developing a loyal customer base by improving the quality of your software, instead of using underhanded sales gimmicks like this. |
