WHAT'S
HOT
The ability to convert DVD’s into a multimedia
file that you can take with you is not new to DVD to PocketPC - others
have been doing this already with a variety of separate programs and
utilities. But what this software gives you is a one-step process.
DVDtoPocketPC is a desktop product. The concept is
simple. Put the DVD in your DVD drive on your computer, maybe change
a few settings to your liking and click the ACTION button to begin the
process. Let your computer sit for a couple of hours (or more depending
upon the speed of your desktop), or let it work overnight and when DVDtoPocketPC
is finished working the Windows Media Player compatible .wmv is placed
on your desktop.
Pretty clean. But just how well can it work?
SETUP
Setup was extremely easy: just double-click the
executable and DVD2PPC is installed on your desktop system. Windows
Media file encoder is also installed.
PROGRAM
FEATURES
DVD2PPC is a desktop program that offers a
one-step process for ripping your DVD and encoding it into a single Media
Player format file that is small enough to transfer to a 128MB multimedia
card (on the low-quality setting) or a 256MB card (on the hi-quality setting).
DVD2PPC's main screen
Pick the file with the longest run time
Legal question after you click OPEN
Click ACTION and extraction begins
Preview Screen during the finishing process (new to version 1.1.5)
The first DVD I tried worked great. I was looking
to try a DVD with a little bit of action so I could test out the encoding
just a little bit, but also one that would come in handy on a trip.
My choice? Elmo’s Christmas Special. (Hey, I travel with little
ones...)
The results were quite promising. The sound was
great and easily enjoyable on the PocketPC. The video was a little
blurry when I watched it on my laptop, but when I transferred it to
my iPAQ 4150 and watched it on Pocket Media Player, it was great.
Then I thought I would try a DVD that was more
recent to see if I could find one that wouldn’t work. So I popped
in Lord of the Rings: Two Towers. DVD2PPC encoded about 10
seconds and then quit. Not too promising. So, I next tried Raiders
of the Lost Ark. That didn’t work, either. Well, that was strange
but both DVD’s came out in the last year. So, I tried Elmo's Christmas
Special again and it didn’t work either. Well, that was a little
troubling. I checked out DVDtoPocketPC’s FAQ on its website and it
suggested that I reset the software. Ok. So, I tried that. Now, all
my DVD’s were working again -- even the new ones. Now, anytime I go
to encode a new DVD, I always go through the reset process.
During Reset, press default at this screen...
...and
at this one.
How was the quality? I found that the encoded files
were extremely watchable. I had no problems with the sound. Some of
the action sequences were a little more blurry, however I really could
not tell it from watching the file on my PocketPC, which is, of course,
the whole point. As you can see from some of the screenshots of action
sequences, you can see the pixelation. But I found this to not be
really all that noticeable on a small screen. I was very pleased with
the size of the file, the sound, and the video when I watched on my
PocketPC.
Not bad
From Finding Nemo
After pressing the action button, a 2-1/2 hour movie took about 6-1/2
hours to encode on my Pentium 4 mobile, 1.4GHz laptop. Shorter time
periods have been recorded by others who have faster processors.
IN THE BOX
Microsoft’s Media Encoder is required for DVD2PPC
to work, and comes with the software. It does the bulk of the encoding
work in the background.
Still sequence
Same
characters, action sequence
DVD2PPC is great at what it does. It is simple
and straightforward and delivers what it promises: watch your DVD’s
on your PocketPC using a 128 or 256MB media card. It is a first generation
software and probably the only 1-step process specifically targeted
for PocketPC’s. This is a good thing and a bad thing. It’s a bad thing
because it is first generation software. It is a good thing because
DVD2PPC's developer, Ashimoto Makayama is extremely responsive. This
is the first time that I have been so impressed with a developer’s
technical support that I have listed it under the features of a software.
Be sure to read the legal requirements for this
software. It is not for everyone in every place using any DVD. DVDtoPocketPC’s
website states that "For legal reasons this software may not be used
by citizens of the U.S.A., Norway and Malaysia to convert copyprotected
DVDs."
Another "action" sequence
Portrait
Mode
Also, because the software is so targeted, there is no option to automatically (one-step) convert those VCD’s that you may have. However, this is quite easy to do using the Microsoft Encoding Software that comes installed with DVD2PPC. At the end of the “Convert File” wizard uncheck “Begin converting when I click Finish”. Then click on “Propertes”, go to the "Compression" Tab, click the "Edit" button. Then, under the "General" tab, click "Import" and import Ashimoto’s “Pocket DVD Low”. By the way, you could use this procedure to convert any accepted video file to Ashimoto’s standard. His low standard encodes at 181kbps.
From Two Towers
Subtitles are clear
HELP
SUPPORT
Again, DVD2PPS's developer offers incredibly
responsive support, as I've already stated. You can check out their
support FAQ
here. I can attest and others have noted that Ashimoto responds
quickly to email inquiries.
