Roxio has released Popcorn 2, a new version of its DVD conversion software designed to let PowerPC and Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) 
Mac users move DVD content housed in their computers to iPods and other portable devices.
Users can compress and transfer DVD videos, files in the Video TS folder (DVD content) and disc images. Popcorn 2 uses the same burn engine as Toast -- the more expensive and feature-packed CD and DVD burning software.
The "Fit-to-DVD" compression technology has been improved and reduces a 9 GB DVD video to fit on a standard 4.7 GB disc. "The application presents a beneficial side-effect to compression technology beyond formatting for handheld devices, namely more efficient back up of DVD files," Tim Deal, senior analyst with Technology Business Research, told MacNewsWorld.
Director's Cuts
Popcorn 2 supports more formats, including QuickTime's MOV and AVI formats, DivX and MPEG2. Other supported formats are MPEG-1, MPEG-4, DV and H.264. The new edition can export videos to a range of devices, including iPods, Sony's (NYSE: SNE) PlayStation Portable (PSP), 3GP mobile 
phones, DivX handhelds and other video-enabled devices.
To load the movies onto the iPod, the application automatically adds the converted videos to iTunes for easy synching.
Users can select video and audio content to burn and create their own "director's cut" DVDs. During playback, they can preview the selected content and capture screen shots from the DVD video before copying.
The software comes with predefined settings optimized for standard or high-quality video output. However, power users can define their own custom DivX, MPEG4, or H.264 levels for bit rate, frame rate and image size. In the original release, users don't get to choose whether they want to compress the video. That option is available with the new release.
Multimedia for Handhelds in Demand
As long as the DVDs aren't encrypted or copy protected, users can back them up, complete with menus and languages. Most purchased and rented movies are copy protected, and Popcorn 2 won't work with them. Some users circumvent copy protection with third-party utilities like MacTheRipper and then let Popcorn do the rest of the work.
Popcorn 2 is useful for copying homemade movies and video downloaded from the Internet. Plus, users can now take videos previously stuck in their computers on the road in iPods and other portable devices.
Although there are free, open source utilities available, Popcorn 2 targets customers who are looking for an easy, user-friendly DVD copying system.
"Open source applications aren't ideal for mainstream consumers because they're often a challenge to install or use," said Adam Fingerman, director of product management for Mac products at Sonic Solutions.
Customers appreciate the predefined settings, he noted. "In the end, I firmly believe you get what you pay for, and commercial quality software provides mainstream users who want maximum results with minimum effort," Fingerman told MacNewsWorld.
Roxio released the new edition with mobile capabilities to keep up with the current demand for multimedia compatible with portable devices, the company said, noting that customers want to take their music and video wherever they go.
"It demonstrates how third-party developers like Roxio are conforming to market trends," added Deal.
The application requires a G4 or faster computer, Mac OS X v10.4 or later, QuickTime 7 or later, iTunes 6 or later and up to 15 GB of temporary hard disk space for video compression and translation.
Popcorn 2 retails for US$49.99; current users of the previous version of Popcorn can upgrade for $29.99. Owners of earlier versions of Titanium may be eligible for upgrade pricing. Without special offers, Toast Titanium 7 sells for $99.95.
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