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{rw_text}Software reviewed in this article:
Version reviewed:
v1.1.5.0
Software description as per the developer:
PCHand Media Converter Pro is an all-in-one best media converter, combining DVD Ripper, Video Converter and HD Video Converter. It could quickly and effortlessly rip DVD, convert video, and convert HD video to most popular format such as AVI, WMV, MP4, FLV, MKV,3GP, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MP3, AAC, AC3, M4A and HD Video that playback on iPod, iPhone 4, iPad, etc.
Download size:
13.7 MB
Supported OS:
Windows XP/Vista/Win7
Price:
$29.99 (USD)
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{rw_good}
- Straight forward and easy to use.
- Can convert video (SD and HD) and rip DVDs (from DVD discs and DVD folders).
- Can bypass DRM protection for DVDs.
- Supports many input and output video formats.
- Supports output profiles for various different electronic devices.
- Allows users to customize output file settings.
- Allows users to trim videos before converting.
- Can rip just audio from videos/DVDs.
- Allows users to automatically turn off computer after conversions have finished.
- Supports batch processing.
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{rw_bad}
- Doesn’t allow for proper DVD “backups”: can’t rip DVDs -> .VOB.
- Lacks basic video editing features, such as crop, add watermark, add subtitles, etc. – can only trim video.
- Users can’t customize the name of the output file.
- Drag + drop doesn’t work properly. (Is it just me?)
- Does not have the option to add an entry into right-click context menu for quick access to the program.
{/rw_bad} –>
{rw_score}
{for=”Ease of Use” value=”9″}With the exception of a few minor annoyances (such as can’t customize name of the output file and no right-click context menu), PCHand Media Converter Pro is extremely easy to use.
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{for=”Performance” value=”8″}Performs very well; converts at a very good pace, and converts with excellent quality. There are only two problems: 1) There is no ability to do proper DVD “backups” – no ability to do DVD -> .VOB and 2) Lacks basic video editing capabilities such as crop, add watermark, add subtitles, etc. – can only trim.
{/for}
{for=”Usefulness” value=”9″}I can see many people finding this program useful.
{/for}
{for=”Price” value=”9″}Considering the fact that this does video conversions and can rip DVDs, 29.99 is an excellent price (especially considering rival software often charge 20-30 for just video converters and 30-40 for just DVD rippers).
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{for=”Final Score” value=”8″}
{/for}
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{rw_verdict}[tupr]
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This article is part of the new Rapid Reviews section on dotTech; thus it has no “full review”. Please visit the announcement on Rapid Reviews to learn more about what Rapid Reviews are.
(NOTE: Even though there is no “full review”, all software featured in Rapid Reviews are still held to dotTech standards, and are evaluated fully and graded fairly. And, Rapid Reviews still have the program overview, the good and the bad, ratings, quick verdict, free alternatives, and final verdict; Rapid Reviews just have no full review section.)
This review was conducted on a laptop running Windows 7 Professional 32-bit. The specs of the laptop are as follows: 3GB of RAM, a Radeon HD 2600 512MB graphics card, and an Intel T8300 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor.
{rw_freea}
FormatFactory is an excellent file converter which can convert videos, audio files, images and even rip DVDs. In fact, although the developer does not directly state this, I noticed the latest update to FF enables me to rip my DRM protected Jurassic Park III DVD. (I was not able to rip the Jurassic Park III DVD with FF in the past.)
(It is worth noting FormatFactory uses the same MEncoder as the background work-horse that PCHand Media Converter Pro does, so you can expect performance of FormatFactory and PCHand Media Converter Pro to be very similar.)
iWisoft Video Converter is another excellent video converter. (It can’t rip DVDs.) Unfortunately, iWisoft Video Converter has not been updated in a while, so you may find the output profiles for electronic devices to be a bit lacking, but nonetheless it converts videos well.
DVDSmith is a DVD ripping program that allows users to rip DVDs -> .VOB format, so with DVDSmith you can make proper backups of your DVDs. DVDSmith can bypass DRM protection.
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{rw_verdict2}I really like PCHand Media Converter Pro; it combines video converting and DVD ripping capabilities into one program and performs extremely well. Sure it may not have the basic video editing features (aside from trim) that many other commercial converters have nor the ability to perform proper DVD backups (i.e. can’t do DVD -> .VOB), but how many other shareware converters can convert videos and rip DVDs and still only cost you $29.99? I highly recommend PCHand Media Converter Pro to anyone that wants or needs it.
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