Printer Error

fair
key review info
application features
  • Custom CD Jewel Case Labels for your DVD/DivX movies
  • (0 more, see all...)

I am sure that some of you have a pretty impressive collection of DVDs and CDs. They are the genuine thing and contain everything you need. In my collection every DVD and CD has its own case and I even decorated them with covers of my own.

Here's a software that pretends to do the trick. The name is Auto DVD Labeler, ADL in short. The developer is Johnny Owl and the software comes free of charge. You will see why.

There is not much to talk about the application, as it is simple and is absolutely no challenge at all. The interface is minimalist and displays only the buttons you need in order to make your DVD label. These are Front, Inside and Back. The Amazon Query button provides a quick link to amazon.com where you can find all the covers you need.

It is interesting how easily you can get what you want with only one click of the mouse. The first thing you are presented with when you open the software is the preview of the CD Jewel Case Labels. If you click on the preview, you will be able to load a cover picture, edit the text (for the inside) and the backside.

The Amazon Query opens a window which allows you to import covers directly from the Amazon database. Not only will you get the cover for your disc, but you can also import some details about a certain movie, artist or whatever you are looking for. I tried a search for The Da Vinci Code and I even got the release date of the DVD, manufacturer, MPAA rating, customer rating and a little customer review.

Pressing the Details button will make your web browser open the amazon.com page so that you can view some additional details and information. If you hit the OK button, the image will automatically be imported and you are ready to print the cover. All you need is a good printer so that your images come out well.

What else can you do with this software? Of course, it is not absolutely necessary to get the covers from the above mentioned website. If you have some special images on your computer and want to label the disc with them, go ahead, nothing will stop you.

As you will see, the printer is absolutely necessary when working with the software, because if you do not have one installed you won't be able to make any step further without being prompted with the "Printer error" message.

The best part of the software is the fact that it allows you to add something of your own, like a logo or some other kind of small picture. This can be applied on the back of the cover, in the "Logo" section (at the bottom of the application window).

The Spine text can be tampered with and the user can change the font, its color, size style and script. The Body Text in my case displayed the user's review on the movie, but you can change that with a text of your own or even your own opinion on the movie, so that you can view your thoughts on the video/album/etc. Before playing it.

The Back Font option contains the same font settings as the Spine Font.

The two menu buttons of the software (File and Options) contain some settings that you should be aware of. Thus, you can choose to preserve the aspect ratio of your pictures by enabling the "Keep Aspect Ratio" option. This way, your pictures will be stretched so as to fit the whole Front label.

Deselecting the "Print Solid Lines" will result in that the printed border lines will be fragmented. The "Save Settings" option will keep the settings you made for the next session of labelling.

The Good

Only the software's intentions are good.

The Bad

I could write a whole review in this section. But I will refrain myself just to saying that the "Printer error" message drove me insane. Even if I wanted just to move the window a little to the right this message kept on popping. And I do not mean it appeared once or twice, it popped in hundreds of instances. I think I'll have to send my right index on a short vacation to recover from the ordeal.

The Truth

I will not try this software ever again. I might be tempted to try a new, improved, bug-free version of the software, but only if my index recovers.

Here are some snapshots of the application in action:

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user interface 2
features 3
ease of use 1
pricing / value 5


final rating 2
Editor's review
fair
 
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