| Software Author: | Spb Software House | | Product: | Spb Mobile DVD | | Cost: | $24.95 | | Reviewed By: | Russ Terrell | | Rating: | |
Overview:With the popularity of iPods, PSPs and other portable devices being used to watch movies and videos, Pockets PCs have followed along with the trend. In fact, Pocket PCs might have been first, except for the cost of compact memory being so expensive in the ‘early days’. My personal reflections first. I’ve had a hard time watching movies and videos on the PPC’s small screen. I don’t have great eyesight to start with and a small PPC screen doesn’t help much. My opinion has changed some, as I have a CBT class I’m taking and will be using my PPC to watch 46 half hour videos. The program is Wizard based, and is easy to use. The defaults will get you through the process to help create a good quality version of the DVD. Start by putting the DVD in the drive. You have the option of converting a DVD or other video media files. The program will convert WMV, AVI and MPEG files to a PPC viewable size. Follow the Wizard directions. You will have to wait for the start of the DVD copy write and FBI warning to pass. Once the movie menu screen comes up, you can continue. When the movie menu comes up, you can select the options you want to include. Click on Play in the menu and the program will let you advance to the next option. You can convert either the full movie or a chapter. The next 2 pages give you a lot of options relating to the output file. Unless you have a limited size memory card or a very long movie, you can stick with the defaults. Finally, you select where the output file goes. The program gives you lots of options, including sending the file directly to your synced PPC. Be sure to change the name of the file from Default to something more meaningful. I converted the movie V for Vendetta in 36 minutes. It has a running time of 2:12 and the file size was 247Mb. Conclusion: I judged DVD to portable video programs 2 years ago for Pocket PC magazines yearly ‘Best of”. For the most part I found them hard to use and slow to convert. Spb Mobile DVD is far superior to anything I tested. This program is simple to use and intuitive when it needs to be. There are also a lot of options you can ‘tweak’ for better quality, smaller file size or other screen formats. With the price of compact memory being so cheap, you can now pack a lot of movies with you. In my tests, I found the sound and picture to be excellent. A pocket PC might not be the best thing to watch a movie on, but it’s ideal if you want a break from reading during your trips or commutes. Note that the price is high, so be sure you have a need for this program, to get your money’s worth. Where to buy it: Spb Software House |
