BRAINBYTES  I simply must write a white-hot, glowing review of DVD Snap 2.0.1!!! I have been computing professionally since 1983, when I computerized a nationally known business in Manhattan. I have had many experiences with creative type software packages and tech support for various hardware and software matters, too, over the years. DVD Snap 2.0.1 is a very cool program; it really helped me do this latest project. Tobias Jordan, (Developer & Founder of Tool Force Software;http://www.tool-forcesw.com), has just provided me with the best, most comprehensive, innovative, thorough, professional, caring, knowledgeable, personal tech support I have ever enjoyed in my entire life! He responded to my few emailed inquiries, even on the weekend, extraordinarily fast. He really helped me quickly with very direct replies. Although he resides in Germany, and speaks German, his English is fabulous. No language barrier here. But the best part of his wide expertise blew me away on this past Sunday night, when at 11:00 P.M. his time, he spent 50 minutes with me online using iChat to take control of my computer screen, and actually manipulate his software, DVD Snap 2.0.1 using my movie, loaded into my computer's DVD drive, to see EXACTLY where my problem was. It was an unbelievably fast, deep, and sophisticated method of providing "virtual on-site" tech support. Due to this cool troubleshooting, he was able to see exactly what I was doing incorrectly, and fix the problem himself, while I watched, in amazement, as he moved my mouse cursor all over the screen with lightning efficiency!! And, all this on a Sunday night, 11:00 P.M - 11:50 P.M. his time, and for a software package costing only $19.95 (no shipping or tax either). WHAT A DEAL!!!! This guy is super smart and he really cares.  
(Version 2.0.1)

JOHN A. SUNKISKIS  Being somewhat cyber-challenged, I required "some" technical support, and the developer was not only responsive, but also very reassuring - I felt like I had a private tutor. Now that I know how the program works, I'm impressed. It really is easy to use, and the picture quality is absolutely excellent.   
(Version 2.0)

EASER  I haven't had any of the problems identified by the previous poster, and I've used this program for several months. Like any program that saves snapshots, you have to configure the preferences at least to some extent to tell it where to save, what file format to save in, etc. Check out any other screenshot program and you'll see. Most programs come with some kind of default setting; but they, like DVD Snap, do allow you to adjust those settings.

So what if the interface for the preference isn't the most gorgeous thing ever made? It's hardly ugly or anything. It's clean and to the point.

And let's get down to the heart of the matter. This program does what it promises. Much depends on how you configure it. I wanted it to snap only the contents within the frame of DVD Player. It did just that. The picture quality was superb. That's what this program is supposed to do; that's what this program did.

None of my other computer settings were affected by this program. I'm running 10.4.10 on a PowerBook G4. I think it works fine and is worth checking out.   
(Version 1.2.1)

TOOL FORCE SOFTWARE  I don't understand your problems, sorry.

I have tested DVD Snap several times on different macs and all worked great. (without any bugs)

DVD Snap saves the pictures in the destination folder you have chosen !

Why is PDF the standard picture format ?

Hmm, have you ever seen that PDF provides the BEST picture quality ? No ?

Try it. Use PDF, PNG and compare. (zooming in / out)

Another problem I don't understand:

The DVD Snap window always hiddes when you click the 'Snap' button. Perhaps you opened the picture in 'Preview' and you thought that the DVD Snap window above is on the picture but it's not.

The hotkey commands are absolutely 'okay'.

I don't know what's wrong with them.

The built-in hotkeys for 'grab' are 'Command + Shift + 3 & 4', why not use 'Command + Shift + 1' for DVD Snap ?

And I just wanted to say that I have many users who like DVD Snap. They don't have problems with the destination, picture format, etc…

Best Regards,

Tobias Jordan.  
(Version 1.2.1)

J3FF  oh yeah I forgot to mention that my dvd screenshot contained all of the goofy dvd snap menus if I'm taking a screen shot of my dvd playback why would I want to include your app windows?  
(Version 1.2.1)

J3FF  first I'd like to say I've never posted a comment about any piece of software on this website. Also I download software from here quite often usually I try at least one application a day, usually if I don't like an application I simply trash it and move on. Having said that this is the worst app I have ever tried upon launching it I was bombarded with a series of disconnected non aqua style windows that just popped up all over my screen demanding a time interval or something then the ubiquitous window with the 1 2 3 buttons which I'm sure I'll go to my grave without understanding. Then it somehow snapped a picture of my dvd playback and saved it to a folder predetermined by me, (which I did not) and I have no clue where it is. I was able to view it with the bizare hotkey commands and it turns out the default picture format is .pdf why in the world would you want to take a screen shot and save it as a pdf? At the same time every other app I was running froze up. and to top it off the trial period is 60 minutes ha! are you kidding I only needed 60 seconds to make a decision on this  
(Version 1.2.1)

TOOL FORCE SOFTWARE  I have the newest version of VLC but this is what I permanently get:

http://www.tool-forcesw.com/VLC_error.png  
(Version 1.2.1)

TOOL FORCE SOFTWARE  Most of the mac users use the Apple DVD Player so I have written DVD Snap for the DVD Player.

I downloaded the newest version of VLC but it has still some bugs and it is not really user-friendly.

VLC affords just two picture formats.

The most important format, PDF, is missing.

It is the best format for screen snapping. (best quality)

Of course, you can use the default Mac OS X integrated screen capture software 'Grab' in VLC but

- you can't choose the destination folder

- you don't have several picture formats

- you can't choose a name of the picture

DVD Snap has some real handy options / functions, I think:

- timer snap (snaps a picture every 1 - 60+ seconds; perfect for a slideshow)

- many picture formats

- picture numbering

- custom picture destination

and many more.

You can even use DVD Snap in the full screen mode of the DVD Player. (since version 1.1)

If you take screenshots of DVDs in the DVD Player every day I think DVD Snap is worth of its money.

Best Regards,

Tobias Jordan.  
(Version 1.2.1)

MACS ALIVE  Firstly, VLC Player does allow one to skip forwards or backwards. Moreover, it allows one to configure the controls and add new key functions.

And secondly, I have used your program. It's a nice program but not worthy of the $20 price tag.

Therefore, to reiterate, VLC Player is a great program with the capability to capture fine screen shots. And it's free!  
(Version 1.2.1)

TOOL FORCE SOFTWARE  Dear MACS ALIVE,

VLC is full up with bugs.

e.g. you can't press the forward / backward button in the player.

If you do so it will crash.

I think that many users want to use the old DVD Player to watch movies.

I also think that you never took a look at DVD Snap. First test it, then write a comment.

Best Regards,

Tobias Jordan.  
(Version 1.2.1)