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123 Copy DVD- movie backups made easy
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Posted by Ssseth
Posted on 24/09/04 18:11
Number of views 36797
Menu
 Conclusion
 Introduction
 Installation
 Main Menu
 Copy DVD & Help
 Options
 Testing
 test
Text Size  Text Size
Installation
 

Minimum requirements:

(as stated by 123 DVD Copy)

  • Windows 98, SE/Me/2000/XP
  • Intel Pentium 800MHz
  • 128MB RAM
  • Direct X 8.1 or higher
  • up to 10 GB temporary disk space and DVD-R/RW or DVD+R/RW burner

The version of 123 Copy DVD we were given for this review is 1.6.08 (Note: we updated from our initial version to 1.6.2 midway through the review process to address some minor bugs).

If you choose to purchase a copy via download, the version we are using for the review it is a relatively small package, only 4.95 MB. So even dial-up users should not have to wait very long to download a copy. We extracted the zip file and ended up with a 10.6 MB folder with the following files:

A double click on the Autorun.exe produced the following screen:

After selecting 'Install 123 Copy DVD' we were prompted for an install path.

After selecting the install button it took under two minutes for the install to finish. At which point we were prompted to reboot our computer.

A minor annoyance is that the installer did not give a shortcut placement option. An icon was placed on the desktop as well as in the Start menu. I would prefer if the install package would give a choice as I do not use desktop icons and I place all DVD related applications in a Start menu sub folder. This is personal preference however, and a quick delete and Start menu shuffle was all it took to fix it.

After the reboot, starting up the program produced a registration screen.

After filling out the required fields we were prompted to submit the registration data.

You must be connected to the internet to register and install the 3rd party update. This is key as it is the component that allows backup of commercial copy protected DVD.

If you do not have an internet connection at the time you can update the product later (visit http://www.123copydvd.com and use the 3rd party plug-in link).

Although you will be able to backup non protected movies without the 3rd party update, you will not be able to backup commercially protected DVD's. You'll also see an error message indicating this when trying to do so.

Installing the program and the 3rd party update was a painless process and went smoothly.

So now that 123 Copy DVD is installed we are ready to see what it can do!
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Reactions on this item
Posted by Crabbyappleton on Friday 24 September 2004 17:57
Great job Ssseth! This is a very interesting product.
Posted by pinto2 on Saturday 25 September 2004 09:18
Great review Ssseth. I´m looking forward to your next publication.

Regarding the product just review I agree with the author; easy and simple. A perfect movie backup program for "beginners".
Posted by Hemispasm on Monday 27 September 2004 03:09
Congratz Ssseth - keep more coming :)
Posted by truegenius on Wednesday 12 January 2005 18:18
Excellent review! Very thorough!

I have to say, though, that there's another bug that I've contacted the company about. After installing the product, in Windows Explorer (the file manager), volume labels don't show up anymore. In other words, if you have a CD titled "MyStuff" and you put it in your drive and open Windows Explorer it won't show "MyStuff (D:)" anymore; it'll show the generic "DVD-RW Drive (D:)" instead. I really dislike this, because when I place a CD or DVD in the drive I expect to see the volume label name; it's how I confirm I've put the right disc in the drive. Uninstalling the software doesn't fix this problem; I had to use System Restore to get correct volume label operation back.

I also notice that any discs with autorun exe files no longer function. You will have to start such discs manually.

The e-mail I sent to the company was met with a response saying support for 123 Copy DVD has passed to another organization, Globalstar Software (at www.globalstarsoftware.com). The strange thing is, Globalstar appears to be a game company and the web site doesn't present any support options for 123 Copy DVD.

Me thinks the original manufacturers of 123 Copy DVD were sued out of business.

So for any newcomers to this product, I'd suggest, if you're going to run it on a regular basis, that you create a System Restore point (and give it a specific name), install the product and run it, uninstall it, and then run System Restore to go back to the point you created previously.
Posted by gvise on Tuesday 15 March 2005 00:42
I used 123 Copy DVD for about a month after some problems with installation. I had to swap my cd burner with dvd burner in as drive D to get it to work after reading cd freaks artical about not seeing the second drive. After a month I got a software update from 123 Copy DVD and the program would not reconize my DVD burner. I emailed tech support and after sending them computer information they responded,Sorry we do not garantee the program to work with your DVD burner,see list of supported drives. I have a fairly new NEC DVD_RW ND-3500AG. For some reason it did work for a month and quit after the update. Since then I have found free software that works much better called DVDSHRINK. 123 COPY DVD need to support newer drives.
:r
Posted by Billyq on Wednesday 28 June 2006 00:30
I tried to use this program. I dont know why it copies only movies without menu and any other things on DVD. :(:c. When you try to play it any DVD player it begins directly the movie.
Posted by Jo (guest) on Monday 09 April 2007 22:31
I bought 123copydvd because on the product box it says it will copy any dvd. Their claim holds no truth. I tried to back up some movies and was able to back up about 70% of them. I wrote to tech support, and one time they ask me to download a plugin, and another time I had downloaded their upgrade. The result was that it was no better. And last time I wrote to tech support I did not get any response. I cant put all the complaint on the faulty claim 123copydvd makes. I have to put some on myself. I bought the software from Circuit City after reading the good reviews of people who dont know what they are talking about. So now I will only accept the reviews of the proffesionals like PC magazine. They recommend DVDcloner4. But dont take my word. Do your own homework.
Posted by andy (guest) on Friday 13 April 2007 01:57
Posted by Kevin (guest) on Wednesday 30 May 2007 07:42
I have a friend who has 123 copy dvd. I use Nero along with dvd shrink. He is constantly having me copy movies for him, because his 123 copy dvd won't do the job. When it does do the job, the quality sucks, and it doesn't include the menu due to size compression.
Posted by fabio (guest) on Sunday 15 July 2007 17:00
hgjngjkh,
Posted by Marcgar09 on Sunday 29 July 2007 07:36
Umm How can i get this?? :)
Posted by JOEMAMA (guest) on Thursday 13 September 2007 01:01
DON"T BUY THIS SOFTWARE!!!! IT DOESN"T WORK AND THERE IS NO TECH SUPPORT!!!!! I"ve been trying to get my money back for weeks, to no avail.
Posted by corral77 on Wednesday 26 December 2007 18:11
iT DOESN,T WORK MAYBEE BECOUSE TRIAL EDITION
BUT DON'T RECOMEND
Posted by Ayman (guest) on Monday 07 January 2008 22:16
Thank you
Posted by George (guest) on Monday 24 March 2008 22:05
I installed the trial to see for myself if it hold their claim. The program finds the source Drive but not the destination (DVD burner) drive. I was really excited about this product and ready to stop by Office Max to purchase it (I don't like to purchase downloads).

Still, searching for the DRIVE F, please insert Disc...

I'm glad I saved a trip top the store and my money is still in my pocket. :r :r
Posted by SciFer on Monday 24 March 2008 22:45
Hey, you guys posting in 2008... "dee dee dee", this was originally posted in 2004 you morons. This software was legally banned a log time ago (lost court battle) and has not been on retail shelves for a looong time.

To Find out what "dee dee dee" means go to this URL, copy and paste into your web browser:
http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/?ml_video=72779

This message was edited at: 24-03-2008 22:56
Posted by Julia (guest) on Wednesday 30 April 2008 00:05
After installing this, data/music dvd discs were not being recognised in my D or E drive, so I uninstalled this software but still left with the problems :( did anyone else come across this too, and if so can anyone give me any solutions please.
Also I have used spyware/virus check but nothing came up so basically this sofware screwed my computer!!! :r
Posted by left (guest) on Wednesday 18 June 2008 01:51
after installing 123dvdcopy netiher my wireless connection or my sound worked correctly. there is somehting wrong with this software.
Posted by Mike (guest) on Sunday 29 June 2008 09:47
this software is crap! the authors of this crap should be in JAIL! if there is a class action lawsuit you better believe I'm going to get in on it! BLING Software, The BLING shoulda been my first warning but it's my fault for buying this junk! 123 copy DVD, WHAT A PILE OF CRAP AND EXTREME RIPOFF!!!!!!. I sincerely hope you drop the soap when you are Impriosened
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