PowerDVD

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PowerDVD
Basic data

developer CyberLink
Current  version 20 Build 1519
( April 14, 2020 )
operating system Microsoft Windows
category Media player
License Proprietary
German speaking Yes
PowerDVD

PowerDVD is software from CyberLink for DVD video playback under Microsoft Windows on PCs. From version 7, Blu-ray and HD-DVD are also supported, but in version 8, HD-DVD was removed again.

PowerDVD is offered in different versions, which differ greatly in terms of functionality, and can be expanded with plug-ins and so-called "enhancement packs" to include additional functions such as playback of audio formats that require a license or power-saving functions for use on notebooks . The surface of the software can be changed using skins .

In addition to the OEM , the full version and the subscription model , a demo with limited functions is also available.

Versions

PowerDVD 8 supports digital rights management (CPRM DRM) and plays video and music files in WMV-HD, DivX, Xvid, MP3 and AAC format.

The function to play HD DVDs has been removed from PowerDVD 9 .

PowerDVD 10 was available in four versions on the German-speaking market - Ultra 3D, Deluxe, Standard and Essential. It is a universal player that enables users to play music, films and videos from a single application. Additional features in this software include: a. converting movies from 2D to 3D , stepping up DVDs to HD , smoother Blu-ray playback, bookmarks for movie scenes and a wide range of playable file formats.

3D movies: TrueTheater 3D uses a GPU accelerated video converter to convert DVD movies from 2D to 3D.

HD Movies: TrueTheater HD upgrades DVDs and video files from SD to HD.

Video Formats: PowerDVD 10 plays a wide range of video formats including MKV , FLV , WTV, RM , RMVB , 3gp, and 3G2. A RealPlayer must be installed to play RM / RMVB formats . Supported subtitle formats are smi, ass, ssa, psb, srt and sub .

MovieMarks: MovieMarks include movie scenes with reviews that can be shared online via MoovieLive.com.

Live Comments: PowerDVD users can upload live comments to Facebook , Twitter and MoovieLive while the movie is playing.

PowerDVD 11 was released in April 2011 . This version differs from the previous versions mainly in the streaming options of DLNA- compliant servers as well as a visually modified user interface and the integration of Facebook , YouTube and Flickr in the program. Version 11 can also be controlled using a smartphone app (Android / iPhone).

PowerDVD 12 was released at the end of January 2012 and came in the versions Standard, Pro and Ultra on the market. It now also offers 3D conversion of 2D Blu-ray discs and 7.1 audio output as bitstream (Ultra version only).

PowerDVD 14 , released in spring 2014, was also available in Standard, Pro and Ultra versions. New features included TrueTheater HD for full HD content, customizable subtitles, a video recorder for YouTube and customizable backgrounds.

PowerDVD 15 was released in April 2015 and offers, among other things, TrueTheater Color for improved color dynamics and TrueTheater Sound for improvements to audio playback.

With PowerDVD live CyberLink has a Software - Subscription introduced for PowerDVD. In addition to the scope of the PowerDVD Ultra version (currently version 15), this model includes upgrades for the term of the subscription and 20 GB of cloud storage.

Features and functions

CyberLink PowerDVD supports these features and functions:

Video playback

  • Automatic dialog loops: "Say-It-Again" repeats what was last spoken at the push of a button
  • "Read-It-Clearly" allows subtitles from the image area out into the letterbox bars to move
  • Energy-saving features for notebooks: "See-It-All" increases the playback speed when the battery level is low
  • InterActual Player - additional material and download content via the PC, if supported by the respective DVD
  • Software video deinterlacing
  • Dynamic Range Compression and Sound Retrieval System (SRS)
  • AB Repeat - lets users play back scenes in loops
  • 9x digital zoom
  • Closed captioning
  • Display of dual subtitles
  • Video bookmarks
  • Automatic start of the film from the point at which it was interrupted
  • Screen Snapshots - capture of frames
  • Playback of external subtitles in AVI, DivX and WMV files (supports the extensions SRT, SUB, SSA, ASS, PSB and SMI)
  • Interchangeable skins for the player interface
  • Low Frequency Effects - mixes the low frequency (bass) channel from the front speakers
  • Dolby Pro Logic IIx - 2.0-5.1 → 7.1 audio channel expansion technology (upsampling from 2.0 to 7.1 channel surround sound)
  • CyberLink Headphone - Virtual surround sound on 2-channel headphones (stereo)
  • CyberLink Virtual Speaker - Virtual surround sound on 2-channel speakers (stereo)
  • Supports BD-Video Profile 2
  • Improved BD-Java compatibility to optimize interactivity with some BD-ROMs

Music playback

  • Karaoke mode - mutes the music and allows you to sing along with karaoke discs
  • Audio Equalizer - atmospheric effects via presets such as techno and blues
  • Audio visualization - provides graphic effects on the screen while playing music

Movie Remix

  • The remix function is designed to create a new version based on the original version of a film. This new version can be a parody, a trailer, or any type of version you want to create with the original film.

Movie Collection

  • The software collects film information and user input from DVDs and saves them in a database, which can also be put online on the MoovieLive portal.

General

  • PowerDVD supports the playback of films from the home network via universal plug and play .
  • PowerDVD runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Version 7.0 can already run on Windows Vista and Windows 7 with a patch from the manufacturer.

criticism

Cyberlink only supports PowerDVD with updates two years after release. This is common in the industry and does not prevent further use of the software, in contrast to other applications, when using current Blu-ray titles this has the consequence that customers can only play them if they have been used every one to two years purchase a new version. This led to a lot of complaints from users of PowerDVD 9 (and earlier) when Star Wars came out on Blu-ray.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ de.cyberlink.com .
  2. ↑ golem.de
  3. ↑ Comparison between PowerDVD 12 Ultra and PowerDVD 14 Ultra
  4. ↑ pcwelt.de accessed on April 25, 2015
  5. ↑ de.cyberlink.com accessed on April 25, 2015
  6. ↑ "As the development phase of CyberLink PowerDVD 9 Ultra retail version has now ended, there will be no further Blu-ray Disc compatibility updates for this version. Any Blu-ray Disc titles released after 2011 June may not be compatible with CyberLink PowerDVD 9 Ultra retail version. " PowerDVD 9 was released in June 2009.
  7. ↑ PowerDVD Ultra 9 (8, 7, etc.) won't play the Star Wars blu-rays