Product Reviews

Roxio's one-stop shop for converting DVDs and movie files has been updated, with new output options and sought-after features. It also works with Elagato's Turbo.264 HD encoder.

Cosmetic changes include an easier to read capacity bar and better arrangement of tasks under two tabs in the left pane. Features for copying and combining homemade DVDs are still present, and Disc Cover 2 RE is bundled for producing

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labels. However, the Convert tab's features for getting video onto iPods and game consoles are more exciting these days.

These features are boosted with the ability to save previews of settings, and they can be lifted from the middle of movies, where footage is likely to be a fairer test of settings.

Scheduling allows encoding to run overnight, but you can't encode anything else without cancelling the queue. AVCHD cameras can be read directly in the Media Browser.

Popcorn's revised DVD ripping is its best feature. You can extract any part of a DVD you want, not just titles and chapters. Drag a chapter and a dialog appears, though your selection isn't listed until you press the '+' button. Unfortunately, that also adds whatever is between the in and out markers, which seems more like a bug than a feature.

QuickTime X will convert movies for your iPod, but go for Popcorn if you need to rip DVDs, customise settings and work with consoles through a friendly interface.