DVD Copy 5 Platinum is designed to copy and create DVDs. It's mainly aimed at those looking to archive video that's either self-shot or recorded from the TV.

Its key functions have been reduced to a simple three-step process. Firstly, select the copy source; usually another DVD or files from a hard disk. Then select the destination; normally a DVD-recordable or rewritable disk, but it could be a disc image. Lastly, select the format you want the copy to be recorded in.

DVD Copy 5 Platinum works quickly, however overall recording is governed by the speed of the DVD drive.

The software can also handle high-density (HD) video files, although this version doesn't support writing to Blu-ray or HD-DVD discs.

There are three other main tasks on the menu. Apart from a straight DVD copy, several existing disc images – in formats such as DVD, VCD or SVCD – can be squeezed onto a single DVD, which can be up to 9.4GB if you have a dual-layer (DL) drive.

There's an option to compile a DVD straight from a list of files stored on a hard disk, too. Copy to Go enables video files to be transferred to an iPod or PlayStation Portable in formats suitable for playback. DVD Copy 5 Platinum can also handle DivX and Mpeg4 formats.

Several handy utilities are also included in the box. Folder Monitoring keeps an eye on items you designate and automatically copies any new video files it spots into formats you specify – this is useful if you record TV programmes.

Copy Later performs time-intensive video copies overnight and Disk Label handles most DVD-labelling tasks and now supports LightScribe discs. Finally, there's a copy of WinDVD – a DVD player for computers.

DVD Copy 5 Platinum is a powerful utility, with lots of useful extras. If you're looking to do more than just burn music CDs, it's hard to see why you wouldn't invest, especially at this price.

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Roxio Easy DVD Copy 2 Premier
Roxio Easy DVD 2 Copy Premier is a useful utility if you want to effortlessly copy home DVDs or export them to an iPod or PSP. It contains most of the features of DVD Copy 5 Platinum, at just over half the price.
Rating: 4/5
Price: £20

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