We might be falling on the side of cynical here, but to us, the key reason people would want to buy a package like this is to copy commercial DVDs (be it for backup or less scrupulous purposes). However, the legalities, or lack thereof, of such practices have forced manufacturers such as InterVideo to introduce copyright management into their software.

The bottom line is that DVD Copy 2 Platinum will not defeat the CSS encryption that the vast majority of commercial DVDs use. However, that in itself isn't a huge obstacle, as the Internet is awash with apps that can help. Employ one of those and it's possible to compress a double-sided release onto a single layer (or even a single CD), although this latest version of the program also offers dual layer support.

Whether you'd want to go through this process depends really on (a) the amount of patience you have, (b) the power of your system and (c) ideally both. On our test-bed Athlon XP 2200+ machine with 512MB of RAM, it took hours to copy a full DVD to our hard drive, let alone to another disk. Clearly, speedier processors will fare better, but even on our Pentium 4 3.2GHz system, DVD Copy 2 Platinum took its time.

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To be fair, that's mainly because it's doing such a processor-intensive job, and speed issues are shared by similar packages. Fortunately, it's in comparison to some of those packages that DVD Copy 2 Platinum earns its brownie points. That's because it's hard to imagine a way that InterVideo could have made this more straightforward to use. You simply select the source disc, where you want to copy it to and in what format you want the end result.

The latter option throws up numerous choices, as the package can compress a DVD to CD, or fit multiple DVDs on a single disc. Furthermore, support for DivX, DVD, VCD and SVCD is present and correct. In short, it makes the job as simple as it should be, and while it takes a long while to do its work, it's hard to quibble with the end result.

What makes the package even more attractive is the inclusion of InterVideo's excellent WinDVD Creator 2 Platinum. This program allows you to capture footage and mould it into a disc with relative ease. And while it's not the best application in its field, it's a very good application, and one that will suit the majority of users. Its ease of use is enhanced by a straightforward interface and helpful wizards, and then it has a feel not a million miles away from the admittedly superior Studio 9. Nonetheless, it still holds its own as a valid and worthwhile piece of software in its own right.

The end result? A good value package if it's DVD copying and creating tools you're looking for, although DVD Copy's inability to backup commercial discs straight out of the box will no doubt deter many.

A flexible and accomplished pair of applications that like to keep you waiting around. The lack of commercial DVD backup capabilities does the package no favours, but probably keeps the lawyers happy.