InterVideo WinDVD 5 Platinum was InterVideo's flagship product, released in 2004. It was considered to be one of the best software DVD decoders of its time, offering a host of video and audio editing options for an impressive array of different formats. Corel expanded their portfolio into video editing and DVD creation when they acquired InterVideo for $196 million in 2006. The latest versions of WinDVD offer support for HD DVD and Blu-ray, among other things.

The following tips will help you in making the most of InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 5 Platinum or get you started with Corel's newest version-- WinDVD 9:

1. Get your hands on a copy of WinDVD Recorder 5 Platinum.
2. Try out the latest version of the InterVideo recorder for free.
3. Make the most of your free trial with WinDVD 9 guides and tutorials.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a copy of InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 5 Platinum

It's nearly impossible to find a full WinDVD 5 download, much less a free trial. You can sometimes find older OEM copies of software for sale on eBay, or other discount software sites.

I recommend: If you're dead set on owning a copy of InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 5, you can pick up an OEM version at GR8PRICES.com or Buy Cheap Software.

Download a free trial of the latest version of the Intervideo WinDVD Recorder

It's much easier to get your hands on a copy of the most recent version of WinDVD, currently WinDVD 9. You can either purchase it new for just under $100, or try it free for 30 days with a trial WinDVD download.

I recommend: Take advantage of the trial WinDVD software download available from Videohelp.com or Softpedia.

Learn how to use your software with the best InterVideo Recorder guides and tutorials

Now that you've taken advantage of the trial WinDVD download, it's a good idea to learn a little more about the software. Tutorials are a great way to get comfortable with a product, and can help you decide whether or not you like the interface enough to be willing to purchase the full version of the software.

I recommend: AppZone offers a beginner's tutorial on installing and activating Corel WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-Ray. Corel has a number of tutorials, including how to upscale your videos from standard to HD through their patented Trimension All2HD software technology!

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You should always avail yourself of the trial WinDVD download. It's important to find out if you like a piece of software before you shell out $100 for the full version. If you have any problems after the fact, you will be paying Corel $15 per support call!

InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 5 Platinum was a product released in 2004. As a result, used copies or an InterVideo WinDVD 5 download version can be difficult to locate. The later versions of WinDVD, however, are now a part of Corel's extensive software products.

When released, InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 5 included these features:

1. The ability to capture video or images from DVDs (digital video disks) and CDs (compact disks) in MPEG (moving pictures experts group) format
2. The ability to play back recorded video much like a digital video recorder
3. Dolby Virtual Speaker technology, replicating Surround Sound
4. Smart Stretch that technology enables viewer to reduce distortion around an image's edge
5. Advanced Screen Capture that allows users to send captured images via email
6. Pan and zoom features

Updated features in later versions of InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 5 include:

1. Video playback in high-definition and Blu-ray disc formats
2. Access of pop-up menus and picture-in-picture features without interrupting the video playback
3. Standard definition formats include RealPlayer, DVD-Video, QuickTime, and WindowsMedia.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about the features of WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray, the latest InterVideo WinDVD 5 upgrade version

Corel's website only offers feature descriptions of the latest version of the InterVideo WinDVD recorder.

I recommend: Take an online video tour of WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray at the Corel website. Read about WinDVD 9's features. Read the tutorial for WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray at the Corel website. To find out more about InterVideo WinDVD 5, download a Software Industry Report at Amazon.

Find versions of InterVideo WinDVD 5 or InterVideo WinDVD 5 updates at eBay

Find new in-the-box or used versions of InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 8, InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 7, and even InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 6 at eBay.

I recommend: If you're looking for a used or new copy of InterVideo WinDVD 5, go to the eBay website and register as a buyer. If you're a first-time eBay buyer, learn how to bid and buy at eBay University. Do an item search under the "Computers and Networking" category for "InterVideo WinDVD 5" or "InterVideo Win DVD 5 for sale" to find products up for auction.

Shop online for new or used versions of InterVideo WinDVD 5 and upgrades at Amazon

InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 8, InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 7, InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 6, and InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 5 are currently out of stock at Amazon, and they 'don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.'

I recommend: You can still pre-order a used product at Amazon through another seller. Specify the minimum condition you will accept for the used product, and the maximum price you'll be willing to pay. This is a service for Amazon customers only. Sign up for a new account and Amazon will attempt to find a seller for you for a maximum period of 12 weeks.

Get a free WinDVD download of the latest version from Corel

Note that the non-Blu-ray version may not be available for the trial.

I recommend: For a free trial WinDVD download, you must first create a Corel account. If you buy a copy of the latest WinDVD software and are dissatisfied, Corel offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

After buying the latest InterVideo WinDVD updates, find reliable product troubleshooting information

Corel offers troubleshooting forums for Win DVD product users

I recommend: Search Corel's Knowledgebase with the subject "WinDVD" for information and issues surrounding current and past versions of the product, including WinDVD Recorder 5 Platinum. Create an account to join Corel's product forums and newsgroups, another prime source for troubleshooting information.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Download Corel's WinDVD Advisor Tool before buying the product. The Tool makes sure that your computer's system can play back HD (high-definition), DVD, and Blu-ray Disc movies.
• •  With WinDVD, you may need to refresh occasionally the AACS (advanced access content system) key. This protection software grants playing access for Blu-ray Disc movies.
• •  Corel phone support will cost you $15 per call.

The InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 5 is a type of software program manufactured by Corel. The software allows the user to integrate the technologies of a DVD player, DVR and TV together.

Features of InterVideo WinDVD 5 include the integration of watching TV and recording, MPEG file capture and the ability to burn files to blank DVDs. You will need to use the InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 5 with compatible tuner hardware. Supported TV tuner devices are listed from the manufacturer on the software’s packaging.

1. Review the specifications of InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 5 Platinum. Highlights include playback controls, TV channel setup dialog, channel scanning and desktop minimization in order to keep the player in the background when working on other projects.

2. Purchase the WinDVD 5 download. You can either download it directly from file delivery through email or purchase the software and install it through the included CD.

3. Get support for the InterVideo Recorder. The software was released several years ago and is no longer available through Corel. Therefore, you will need other support options.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read reviews of the InterVideo WinDVD Recorder

Prior to purchasing the recorder software, browse online review and rating sites to gather feedback on the product. Many review sites will also provide the software's specifications and any other extra equipment you need for install. Since the recorder was released some time ago, the reviews will be from a few years back.

I recommend: On CNET Networks, you can find a comprehensive review of the InterVideo WinDVD 5. The author walks you through setup and install as well as InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 5 Platinum basics. The Alamo PC Magazine also posted a review of the recorder on their website.

Get a free WinDVD Recorder 5 Platinum trial

Before you purchase the software, you can find numerous online offers of a free 30 day trial. A free trial allows you to determine whether the software is suitable for your needs. In order to maintain full functionality, you will need to buy the software at the end of this period.

I recommend: Find a free 30 day trial download offer on WinDVD Recorder 5 Platinum on the Digital Digest website. You can also use a file library site such as 1001 Downloads as a way to access an InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 5 Platinum download.

Locate InterVideo WinDVD Recorder 5 updates and support

One of the most challenging things about using an older software program is that support options become limiting as time goes on. Once Corel stopped manufacturing the program, users have to rely on alternatives to find updates and technical assistance.

I recommend: Browse the InterVideo WinDVD Recorder help page on FixYa to find answers to common problems that other users have with the application. Pose a question on Tom’s Hardware to get update information and help on the recorder program.