Feature Set:  

DirectDVD offers an extensive audio customization system that is quite complex and in depth. If you know about that kind of stuff then it might be fun to play around with but otherwise it’s a bit of a headache to look at. There isn’t much in the way of video features or customization other than what’s built in. Beyond that they do have a few other features like image capture and bookmarking that allow some diversity.

Ease of Use:  

DirectDVD is easy to use. The only required steps include inserting a DVD movie into the player and pressing the play button.

Ease of Installation:  

You may be required to enter a password and a user validation code before you can get the program up and running but other than that it’s standard.

Video Quality:  

DirectDVD's video quality is pretty good, but the program lacks additional video picture fine-tuning adjustments. The program is good enough that you don’t really need to adjust unless you’re a stickler for how you like your playback to look but it would be nice for those of us who do.

Audio Quality:  

The audio is obviously the main focus of DirectDVD. As soon as you open the program your screen just fills with audio options and fine tuning controls. It’s almost a bit intimidating actually. For audio tech guys this program might be the greatest thing since the invention of bread but for the average consumer… I’m not so sure. Good thing there is a trial to test it out first. Here are some of the audio features it has.

• 3D Headphone Technology from SRS: This gives your headphones a surround sound effect.
• SRS Circle Surround II & 6.1: Quality surround sound.
• 10 band EQ and Spectrum/levels: View live Audio Output with special 3D Digital Spectrum Controls and 5.1 Meters. See what activity your DVD content is exporting and check system response to these audio levels.
•  Advanced Audio Surround Audio Support: Dolby/SRS/DTS/Sony and other Surround Providers. They claim to provide the most powerful support for default import and system required chain builds.

Help/Support:  

DirectDVD provides all the basic documentation on their website about FAQs and Features but doesn't go into much detail or talk about the more technical issues. There wasn’t anything special but nothing to be ashamed of either. The only thing that was a big step back to us was the lack of response from their technical support team. So unfortunately for them, some of our questions went unanswered and therefore that information isn’t included in this review.

DirectDVD SE is a decent DVD Player Software program but comes up short when compared to other leading players, other than audio customization which most assuredly has no equal.