Warning - Do Not Buy Instant Copy

[DVD Maniac]

This is a warning to all of you considering ordering or buying InstantCopy. At the moment there is total chaos between Pinnacle and Vob (who were bought out by the former recently) -

1. There are two demo versions currently available. The 15Mb version has Pinnacle logos on it and is the one that everyone has been using since the so called launch on Friday. It does not appear that you can "unlock" this version

2. The 5MB version avialble on the vob site is TOTALLY different to the bigger version. I have not tried it yet but it has much more limited features. DO NOT USE

3. If you buy the unlock key on the vob site IT DOES NOT WORK on even the smaller Vob version!

4. The trial version now on the www.Pinnaclesys.com is a zip file of 109kb with no executables or setup files - basically a corrupt file.

I am awaiting a response from Pinnacle support at the moment and will post when I have some proper answers.


A COMPLETE AND UTTER FARCE!

[DVD Maniac]

Pinnacle have responded as follows -

1. The demo on the vob site is indeed an old version the up to date one is now released only through Pinnacle direct.

2. All the messed up Vob links have now been suspended / repointed to the Pinnacle.sys site

3. The Pinnacle demo CANNOT BE UNLOCKED via softcode. You have to order a physical version from their e-stores. They have removed the confusing "Order" option on ths Vob site and appologised for all the mayhem created.

I just checked the Pinnacle site and the demo download has been taken off - not sure if this link will return.

All in all a evry dissapointing and badly managed product launch for what should have been a great application. From what I hear, none of the resellers have any stock either. My enthusiasm levels to actually use the product now has faded to zero.

Total and utter Crap

[mpucoder]

The only mayhem I see is from people unable to distinguish version 6.5 from version 7.

[rufusrex]

Where can I buy the retail version of version 7?

[DVD Maniac]

None of the sources on the Pinnacle site have any stock - Pinnacle say this should be resolved in the next few days. Suggest you continue with the demo for now - the .ac3 5 minute restriction does not appear to apply so its effectively a working version except for the 15 day timeout

[24hourloop]

I also found that the AC3 limit does *not* apply. So why not stick for now with the demo? I am sure they are more eager than us to get the product out the door.

[drmih]

If you read the info you'd see that the 5 min ac3 refers to recoding for svcd and as it does not need to change the ac3 streams for dvd to dvd-r then there is no problem.

[rufusrex]

Thanks. I'm just concerned that this product may never actually make it to the US market. Pinnacle is notorious for screwing with it's customers. I've had bad experiences with their Studio software. I don't want to get spoiled using it then not be able to continue using it down the road. I've burnt 3 movies so far and am very pleased with the results and time savings compared to my old way of making backups. It seems strange they would release a full demo and only put a 15 day trial when the actual retail product isn't available.
If I change the BIOS date/clock when booting will that bypass the time restriction?

[mpucoder]

Let's not get into how to defeat trial program time limits. All I'll say is I always make an image of my C: drive before trying any software, in case it trashes my system, of course.

[rufusrex]

I think it's about time I ghost my drive. I haven't backed it up in a while. Thanks

[firewired]

It's pretty clear that the VOB site isn't in active use anymore. Heck the front page lists news that's dated 08/15/02! Can't imagine why anyone would try to put in an order for what's clearly listed as v6.5.

Still, VOB should really just deactivate the old site. At the very least, it'll prevent some of the unnecessary stress and panic that seems to have gripped some of the members of this forum.

[nydoofus]

Just so its clear, there are retail copies of this in stock. I just bought a retail copy in fact at J&R.

[rufusrex]

No longer in stock at J&R, haven't been since 7am this morning

[Dre]

Originally posted by rufusrex
No longer in stock at J&R, haven't been since 7am this morning

People are posting that it's still in stock at the actual store. The website is out of stock.

[mpucoder]

That's great for people who live in New York City. I wonder how many are going out in this storm just to save $20?

[nydoofus]

Originally posted by mpucoder
That's great for people who live in New York City. I wonder how many are going out in this storm just to save $20?

Hehe, well they are closed, which is the reason why I went out and bought it yesterday before the storm hit. :D