Hello, I thik your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your website in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that,
wonderful blog!

I used this website for the first time yesterday to download Leawo DVD creator. My AVG software went nuts telling me of various dangers and I finally aborted installing the software. However, it had installed 10 pieces of software that seriously messed up my Firefox installation (names like Delta and BlockDefender). It took me close to 2 hours to clean up the mess. I am not a computer wizard. Did I do something wrong? Why do none of the other comments mention these problems? Maybe this website isn't meant for novices like me?

Wow, I've never had to jump through so many hoops until a program got installed on my PC.

To begin with, let me be clear that I did give the program THUMBS UP, since it's a very well thought-out software, plus the company did go to the trouble of posting on their site a 9 min how-to video. That's always a nice touch. The explanation of how to use it is quite thorough.

But boy, what a nightmare the installation and the key retrieval was!!!

First, the download arm froze half-way through installation, while the welcome screen popped up and told me that the software was successfully activated and the confirmation browser screen opened up. I knew something was up when the Leawo DVD Creator folder did NOT show in the Programs menu and no Desktop Icon was generated. After 5-6 minutes of staring at each other, I finally decided to force-close that window. Naturally, only about half of the files were unpacked and when I tried to use the built-in Uninstall app (I thought I was lucky that THAT FILE at least was unpacked), it misfired gloriously and pretty much told me to go mind my own business.

The second time around I chose to install to the same directory/same folder and it simply overwrote the initial files. So far, so good...

Next on to Registration, aka Hunting for the Key: same problems as j.future (21) and Geoff M (24). I submitted valid email addresses THREE times and their autoresponder completely ignored my pleas. Fed up, I went for it one last time, only I chose to use the Chrome's "Mask Me" extension. Low-and-behold, the Reg Key arrived in the Junk folder of the hidden email address within 10 seconds of submission.

Total time: about 25 min.

In the end, I would consider it time well spent for a free copy of this program... Just don't forget to UNcheck the automatic updates: http://my.jetscreenshot.com/20413/20130806-wbab-40kb, because that box comes pre-checked. Tools => Options => General menu.

Regarding the pre-checked K-Lite Codek Pack - I consider it a favor by the company to offer it, so another THUMBS UP for that. And they don't force it on anyone. For those of you, who bother to read these comments, now you are definitely aware that this option is coming, plus it's on the same screen where you have to make a decision about the Shortcuts you want, anyway: http://my.jetscreenshot.com/20413/20130806-kfho-36kb. Moreover, the very title of the screen is "Select Additional Tasks", so unless you are blind or going through the motions half-asleep, you should be able to make a coherent decision. Ultimately, if you've made a mistake and you are still within the activation time limit, you can always uninstall and re-install to get rid of anything you didn't want in the first place. All I'm saying is - they HAVE given us a choice and are upfront about it, unlike others, who sneak-in toolbars and stuff nobody asked for...

As far as the Youtube Downloader ad, mentioned in Ashraf's dotTech review as a CON, I haven't seen any pop-ups for it yet but I did download that program earlier today and let me assure you - IT IS FREE. Whoever designed their promo page, for some reason makes it look like that program is a Trial Version and the full version costs $29.95. However, if you click on the Purchase button, it will take you to a product, called Leawo Video Accelerator Pro: http://www.leawo.com/youtube-downloader/purchase.html, which may very well be worth $29.95, I don't know, my connection is pretty fast, so I don't intend to even try it. The description is kind of hazy.

So Big Thanks for today's offering, despite the hick-ups. Turns out, trolling the web for Reg Keys, using masking emails does have its benefits.

There are two things Iike about this DVD Authoring program.

1 it lets you adjust the volume of the video. Other DVD Authoring programs such as DVD Archtect don't allow any adjustment of the volume tof the video.

2 you can add flv videos which is useful if you have downloaded some flv vidos from YouTube.

@Tony: If you skip the K-Lite codec Pack you must have another codec collection installed otherwise this software and any other converstion type DVD creation or converter program will not work.

"If we skip installing the K-Lite Codec Pack, will the program still
function properly ?"

Only if you have all the codecs needed by the software, already installed in your computer.

I rejected the installation of the K-Lite Codec Pack Version 9.4.0 offered by the software during installation.

Because I got the FULL K-Lite Codec Pack Version 9.8.5 which is more complete and more up-to-date, in my computer.

You can see better functional registration code if your E-mail program shows your registration message as HTML.

I have the same question:

If we skip installing the K-Lite Codec Pack, will the program still
function properly ?
Thanks

#5 Derek
I managed to copy protect a CD a number of years ago that even a cloning program could not copy.
The link below points you to a DVD protection program, I've never used it but it may just help you.
http://www.fortiumtech.com/patronus_dvd-anti-rip-copy-protection.aspx?gclid=CN_OoZS057gCFXLItAoda1EAgw

Program downloaded fine; got the registration number & registered just fine; put a dvd in, set the program to run with an avi file. Program did all that it said that it would [I believe] but when it came to burn, it kept saying that there was no disc in, but there was. I have been using WinX HD Video converter for about two years with nary a problem. I guess I'll just stick with that unless someone has some suggestion as to how to make this one read properly.

OK - I've tried removing the program and downloading from the provided link on the confirmation email containing the registration code and continue to receive the "Unknown error" message on my XP-SP3 machine. Any links within the program when I enter into "Try" mode that go to the internet have not problems connecting. I tried a number of things and have officially had it with the software as I have installed numerous packages for years from GAOTD and have never had this kind of problem. I will move on to some of the free options that were listed above.

Hi,
If we skip installing the K-Lite Codec Pack, will the program still
function properly ?
Thanks

Easy simple program. You just need to throw a few videoclips on a DVD ? THIS is your program. No fancy/mega menus with thousands of possible combinations and settings. Import and burn, end.
If you need to edit and the like, or if you want to make a "box office hit" : NOT your program !

Thanks gotd !

(1) SOUND was absent on the created DVD !!!

(2) Uncheck "Enable automatic update check" in Tools/Options

(3) To register it s not necessary to allow the program access to local or global networks. Just close the question box about that! ("Automatic update check" seems to be the reason for asking about allowing access to networks.)

Good freeware alternatives:

Video format conversion:

-- Iwisoft Free Video Converter

CD/DVD burning:

-- CD Burner XP (www.cdburnerxp.se)

I'd love to try this program but I've not recieved the registration email yet. It's been over five hours so far.

Hi,

I had been searching for a long time for the perfect dvd creator, one that does ***not*** recode the .vob files of a ripped dvds, if I was making an episode disc for exemple. And who was easy to use.

I found the ***perfect*** software (and trust me, I have tried many complicated lemons) and it is called WOMBLE EASYDVD.

Trust me, with this, and some time spent trying stuff out, you can make dvds that are indistinguishable from the real thing !!!!

I rip my tv series dvds and run them through DVD SHRINK, an episode at a time, not using the "split the video files in 1GB files". I then use those 1.7gb or larger file and use those as a basis for my dvds. WOMBLE will split the files but ***not*** recode them. so you get to keep the same quality video as the original. and keeping second audio tracks and what not could not be easy.

I have made tons of dvds since I found this program and people can't believe they are not originals.

I have yet to encounter a problem with this and the more I use it the more I discover new ways of making things simpler and nicer !!!!

www.womble.com

try it !!!!! you will be amazed !!!!! no more complicated file splitting or audio mixing or recoding or crappy results !!!!

thanks :)

M.

If you are trying out freeware alternatives recommended here by other forum users, be careful.
Be alert during the installation process to prevent wicked toolbars being added.
Prevent your browser home page being permanently changed to another browser hijack/redirect engine. Such as the evil SnapDo.

There are other problems. For example, recently the freeware alternative Helge's Switchblade was recommended by someone. This thing has got KC Cleaner & VideoInspector by KC Softwares embedded.

You got to know what you are doing; and avoid the pitfalls.

Three installs - still no "registration" email in 7 hours...guess won't give it a try -

worked great, but I wish it was portable.

Excellent software - you do have the option of NOT installing the K-Lite Codec Pack.... however, it's one the most comprehensive codec packs available and won't do any harm.

Keeper for me :)

#13 @sheeram -- WOT is not a reliable site. It's subject to the same nonsense this site is. People give something a bad rating just because they feel like it, or they got a false positive on their antivirus without checking it out, or they are a competitor. I've seen many totally acceptable sites get bad ratings on WOT, and I would guess that some bad sites slip through. What I'm saying is do your own research and don't rely on WOT any more than you rely on the thumbs up/down rating here. READ the reviews. Then make your own judgments.

#1 Ashraf - Thank you very much for pointing out on your website that this does NOT do two-pass encoding during the conversion process. I have seen how much of a difference it makes to the output quality. I will have to stick with separate conversion and DVD authoring software because of this.

If you are not too familiar with the two-pass process, it is the reason most professionals say "You can have speed, or quality, but not both." It really does do two conversions to greatly improve quality, but that takes a lot more time. When you are downconverting to a smaller picture size, this does not matter so much as reducing a picture or movie in size will at least keep the apparent sharpness the same or even sometimes appear to improve it. Converting to the same size or even upconverting it to a larger size is much more likely to show the picture "softening", showing blocks of color or other artifacts. Two-pass encoding cannot eliminate this, but it can certainly help minimize the quality loss.

I would have liked two-pass encoding to have been an option, as if you are trying to convert small videos for watching on a 1080p HD TV, you will certainly notice the difference on most video sources.

One thing during installation that bothered me is that the program (according to my outpost firewall) wanted server rights which i blocked and i really do not understand why a DVD creator software would be asking for server rights..
Other than that you may wish to click on tools and uncheck "check for updates" so the software doesn't become dysfuntional on you.
Thanks GAOTD and Leawo for letting us try it out.

Why leawo.com website has a bad reputation as per Web of Trust (WOT)?

is this like windows movie maker with added features?

Very good program today: video converter + (basic) video editor + DVD Authoring Program + burning software.

Supports multiple video format (AVI to DVD, MP4 to DVD, WMV to DVD, MKV to DVD, RM to DVD, etc...) and audio format out there (MP3 to DVD, WAV to DVD, WMA to DVD, AAC to DVD, M4A to DVD, etc....) to DVD creation simultaneously, with the ability to create ISO images from DVD as well.

As video editor it can set video brightness and contrast, trim video duration, crop video size and apply both text & image watermarks with ease.

Giovanni's final verdict ==> This GAOTD deserves a THUMBS UP, despite its basic (at least for me) Video Editing features, not to mention that its price is just for once pretty much reasonable.


BEST FREE ALTERNATIVES

* Video Converters
http://www.videotovideo.org
http://www.softpedia.com/get/PORTABLE-SOFTWARE/Multimedia/Video/Portable-XMedia-Recode.shtml
http://www.cuda-soft.com/video-converter/index.htm

* Video Editors
http://www.nchsoftware.com/videopad/index.html (==> Giovanni's cool new entry)
http://www.ivsedits.com/default/features.aspx (requires at least Quad/Six Core Intel Core)
http://www.virtualdub.org/features.html

* DVD Authoring Programs
http://www.winxdvd.com/dvd-author
http://www.dvdflick.net/index.php
http://www.dvdstyler.org

* Burning Software
http://updatepack.nl/downloads/nero-lite (Nero Burning Rom, Nero Express, Nero CoverDesigner, Nero WaveEditor, Nero Tookit = AMAZING PACK!!)
http://www.imgburn.com
http://www.starburnsoftware.com/products/starburn/features

Want to shrink your ripped DVD movies with all menus and extras, for FREE??

http://www.jdobbs.com/Pages/DVDRebuilder/DVD-RB.htm

And how about a FREE TOOL capable of merging any (ripped) video files of yours with external subtitles, in order to create professional multimedia files ready to be played on your iPhone/iPod??

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Encoders-Converter-DIVX-Related/ALLConverter-To-iPhone.shtml
http://www.selur.de

But why not create your own home made “do-it-yourself” DVD movie from a TV tuner, a web camera, a DV camcorder or any other video device??

http://www.protectedsoft.com/descr.php


Enjoy (for FREE of course ==> LOL!)!!

What I do not like is that Leawo has inserted a space before the name fo the program in the add/remove programs list in Windows. What this means is that when viewing installed APPs, Leawo is out of alphabetical order. The plus is that it's on the top of the list when I need to remove it, but this is just a childish ploy...they might as well have name it !AAA!DVDCREATOR...

DVD progs have had their day, it should be BluRay capable burning progs, available not JUST dvd.Good as this prog is, it's too basic these days

Dear GAOTD: Up very early this morning (5am in NYC), heard your email come in, and as soon as I open it there are already more than 100 thumbs up or down and seven written comments. So many so fast? Anyway, I like GAOTD a lot - thanks.

I've fiddled with it quick and it seems pretty quick and the UI is also nice and simple. It would be nice if one could save a video clip in another format before it is burnt to a disk, then it would be a great converter too.
Otherwise it's a nice giveaway today. I'm looking forward to see what Giovanni has to say about it.

Can one create a DVD with anti-copy protection?

I have some personal video's which I don't want copied by others.


Thanks,
Derek

Before I go any further a quick comment about the installation procedure; this is done by e-mails in which you receive the registration code in a file at your e-mail address, make sure when you copy the registration code that you include the letter in front of the hyphen!
I tested it on two very small but different file types, an AVI and a WMV file, I saved it in a low quality ISO file, rather than burning, and played it in VLC. My biggest surprise was the quality of the output which I was very impressed with and the fact that it used all four cores on creation of the file.
When setting up the menu I noticed that you can customise the menu screen, I didn't try this option.

Whatever DVD authoring program I use when I add individual videos as titles, in the finished product to play them individually I have to select as if they were chapters. Am I doing something wrong :-)

I really liked this program and it most certainly will be staying on my drive amongst a number of other DVD authoring programs, well worth the rather large download.

@ Ashraf, your final verdict link comes up with a 404: page not found :( This one I've tried before, and while it was fairly simple to use, I found it's extremely basic. I prefer WinX DVD Author myself, which isn't the best, but for what I do it is more than enough

Nice giveaway! GAOTD rocks!

I like the exquisite menu templates a lot. Hope more holiday themes will be added and the ability to burn photo DVD added as well.
For those who are using a Mac, this DVD slideshow maker http://mac-dvd.dvd-photo-slideshow.com/ would be an excellent tool for creating photo slide show DVD.

Pros
*Supports many input formats
*Adds DVD menu to DVDs, plus comes with DVD menu templates
*Can perform basic edits on input videos
*Can output as DVD-5 or DVD-9, NTSC or PAL, and 16:9 or 4:3
*Can output to DVD, ISO, or DVD Folder

Cons
*No offline Help
*Comes bundled with K-lite Codec Pack, which is a free codec pack that adds relevant video/audio codecs to your computer. I have no issue with the program coming bundled with a codec pack but it would be better if the option to install this pack wasn't check by default, because some users may install it by accident when they don't really want or need it.

Free Alternatives
Review of best free DVD authoring/burning programs for Windows

Final Verdict
Click here for final verdict and full review