DVD Ripper is from the highly reputable Xilisoft Corporation. Anyone that has tried to copy or transfer DVDs to another format or device will know that it's a MASSIVE PAIN. Like serious, hideous pain. In steps DVD Ripper. Queue choir.

Like many people, I have lots of DVDs. When the DVD format replaced video I had to slowly replace my entire collection, which was costly! Now that DVDs are on their way out - to be replaced by digital versions that can be watched on a host of devices from Laptops to phones, I have a similar dilemma. But wait, for just $55 my prayers have been answered.

DVD Ripper will take your DVD and convert it into all popular file formats for storage on your computer. We're talking MPEG-4, AVI, H.264/AVC, DivX, XviD, RM, FLV, SWF, MOV, 3GP, WMV, WMA, MP3, AAC, AC3, M4A, WAV, MP2 and loads more. It also beautifully optimizes the formats of iPod, iPhone, iPad, PSP, Zune, Apple TV, etc, so you can watch DVDs comfortably on the train or in a plane. Amazing.

There are also video editing tools. Hands up, I don't use them, but they allow you to add various effects and clip video segments easily.

There's a Windows and native Mac version of the program, and it comes in three flavors : Standard ($35.95), Platinum ($45.95) and Ultimate ($55.95). The Ultimate version gives you finer grain control of the ripping process and is well worth the extra $20.

There are negatives. The screens can sometimes get confusing and you can feel a little lost inside the software. The help files link to an online help database which is very basic and email support is slow.

The software doesn't adhere to any copyright protection. I was able to copy all DVDs equally in my tests. Owners must use their own judgement in adhering to their local copyright laws!