Review by Eugene Tenenbaum... Reluctant Reader

CyberLink PowerDVD 14 Ultra is the best DVD/Blu-ray/3D player software on the market, but invasive and intrusive (I&I), as it installs itself as a default player for everything invoking automatic play back of video, sound, photos, and searching for files without asking whether you like it or not while relegating other software to oblivion. Of course, any other software can be run manually and those I&I settings can be reversed manually. For the vast majority of users it is OK (especially those not using other software), advanced users can reverse them manually, but it constitutes an inconvenience for a small percentage of beginners who would like to preserve their old settings of automatic invoking the old software, are not confused by, and able to answer, difficult configuration questions.

The upscaling capabilities (TrueTheater) allow to play standard definition (SD) DVDs and videos in HD, and those in 2D format in 3D. While the 1st works well, the 2nd is less impressive. The virtual platform allows watching high-definition videos on smartphones and tablets, as well as to control PowerDVD through the mobile device using it as a remote control. PowerDVD is fully integrated with MoovieLink to instantly access movie statistic and post movie reviews during playback, as well as with Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to upload video files and update social networking profiles directly from the software interface. 10 GB of cloud (online) storage space are free for one year.

However, two months of unlimited telephone support costs a flat fee. Also, CyberLink does not offer live chat, which makes the costly telephone service the only way to get instant help. Of course, the help published on their Web site is free.