Thoughts on DxO 5.3?

I know a lot of folks, me included, used the older DxO 4.5.1 version and most really liked it. I didn't use it for everything, but it has it's place in my selection of raw convertors.

Once DxO made the move to v5, however, the stability and speed - as well as the ability to just install it - left. I've talked with several of them and with DxO about the issues. Since then, I just kinda figured they were probably dead in the water, so I've not followed up.

I received an email yesterday about the new v5.3 and I'm wondering if any of you have installed or used it? Impressions? DxO seems to think it's back, but then again they had some real problems even admitting there were issues with the early 5.x versions.

If you've used it (or even 5.2), could you share your impressions and thoughts?

I have it and one word WOW

I stuck with DXO, from v4.5 through their v5 problems, and all seemed to be resolved with v5.1. Then along came v5.2 which I was very happy with and now with v5.3 I can only repeat the above posters comment.

It's still slow but the workflow, conversion and controls have been improved. I have never yet had any of the above versions crash nor show any instability since v5.1.

As a control measure, every so often I do process my RAWs in DPP and also ACR4.5 and then compare the results. 9 times out of 10 the DXO result is my preferred one - it isn't perfect but then I don't think any RAW converter has achieved that status! Occasionally I go back to DXO v4.5 just to see how the latest version compares. In all the above comparisons v5.3 does seem to show a cleaner, more noise-free end result just using the default settings. How do I figure that? Well, by looking at areas of fine detail in the photo and seeing how each converter has resolved that detail without artefacts and by looking at areas of solid-ish colour and comparing noise levels.

If you were happy with v4.5.1 then I believe v5.3 ought to suit.

I agree with zappahead and Pugwash. I too started out with trialling V4.nn, then purchasing and upgrading (at cost) to V5.3 - I was tempted by the freebie inclusive DXO Filmpack offer. Not that I use the Filmpack - but you never know!

What has always impressed me with DXO, in all versions, is its optical correction abilities - they're fantastic. It always amazes me that a lot of folk put up with optically uncorrected images - the before and after correction images are a delight. The de-noising, vignetting and general correction is also great and DXO can turn my dull images into something worth looking at, for minimal effort.

I suffered a few install problems when V5 was first made available, but I now run V5.3 on Vista and it runs fine (it ran fine on XP as well, but I've just removed XP from my dual-boot PC to concentrate on Vista). However, when I've batched 360 imagesplus to process, it 'fell over' after 250. So now, I always run smaller batches of around 200, with no ill effect. I like the new interface, but I still have a lot to learn and experimentation to do with creating and enhancing my own presets. I originally was a jpg man, but now shoot raw because DXO makes it so easy to process. I like the batch conversion aspect because, as I work in IT, I sit in front of a couple of large screens all day and the last thing I want to do (as I have done for many, many hours) is spend all my evening tweaking every image and staring at another 2 screens at home. Nowadays, I stare at the 3rd screen instead - the TV - sad, but true!. Yes, I know, some images do need individual tweeking, but DXO has lessened this 'hands on' involvement for myself.

I would certainly recommend V5.3 and with a 15 day trial download being available (and the ability to extend the trial), you've got nothing to lose! I would definately recommend that your PC has the Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 SP1 package installed prior to downloading the DXO trial, otherwise your install may 'hang'. The Framework download and install, on its own, will take about 30 minutes to complete.

Download and, hopefully, enjoy!

I'm certainly willing to spend the $99 or whatever to do the upgrade then. DxO was always one of my favorites. I just upgraded my C1 to 4.5.1 - I like the upgrade there, too.

Someone said there's no perfect convertor and that is certainly true. I don't think I've isolated which I would use in any given situation - although I really should. I have Bibble, C1, Lightzone (Love LZ!), plus DxO and DPP.

For whatever reason, DPP just seems to not be up to the standard it used to have. The colors are either over-saturated or just plain wrong a lot of the time. I'm not sure if it's the lack of fine controls or what, but I find myself using it less and less. C1 and Bibble get the bulk of my work. LZ is very, very slow, but does things no other convertor will do. I really like it for certain things - like car shows. But I can't imagine doing 100 shots in LZ.

Hi All,

My earlier comments re my DXO V5.3 batching problems have now been resolved by installing the latest DXO build version 7247 yesterday - I was on 7246. As I test yesterday, I successfully processed 2 sequential batches of 331 images each in the same session without any problems whatsover! As I further test, I have also just finished processed my largest batch of 757 images in one session - again no problems.

i'm using dxo 5.3.1
but it has the nasty interlock protection , it messes up your pc
so i tried on a virtual machine , is great and fast
great output

but i will not buy it for the protection there are many issues about this nasty protection

vandec1 wrote in post #6634167
I agree with zappahead and Pugwash. I too started out with trialling V4.nn, then purchasing and upgrading (at cost) to V5.3 - I was tempted by the freebie inclusive DXO Filmpack offer. Not that I use the Filmpack - but you never know!

What has always impressed me with DXO, in all versions, is its optical correction abilities - they're fantastic. It always amazes me that a lot of folk put up with optically uncorrected images - the before and after correction images are a delight. The de-noising, vignetting and general correction is also great and DXO can turn my dull images into something worth looking at, for minimal effort.

I suffered a few install problems when V5 was first made available, but I now run V5.3 on Vista and it runs fine (it ran fine on XP as well, but I've just removed XP from my dual-boot PC to concentrate on Vista). However, when I've batched 360 imagesplus to process, it 'fell over' after 250. So now, I always run smaller batches of around 200, with no ill effect. I like the new interface, but I still have a lot to learn and experimentation to do with creating and enhancing my own presets. I originally was a jpg man, but now shoot raw because DXO makes it so easy to process. I like the batch conversion aspect because, as I work in IT, I sit in front of a couple of large screens all day and the last thing I want to do (as I have done for many, many hours) is spend all my evening tweaking every image and staring at another 2 screens at home. Nowadays, I stare at the 3rd screen instead - the TV - sad, but true!. Yes, I know, some images do need individual tweeking, but DXO has lessened this 'hands on' involvement for myself.

I would certainly recommend V5.3 and with a 15 day trial download being available (and the ability to extend the trial), you've got nothing to lose! I would definately recommend that your PC has the Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 SP1 package installed prior to downloading the DXO trial, otherwise your install may 'hang'. The Framework download and install, on its own, will take about 30 minutes to complete.

Download and, hopefully, enjoy!

has the new dxo version the nasty protection?

mantra wrote in post #6841944
has the new dxo version the nasty protection?

PACE Anti-Piracy was installed when I purchased v5 but I have never, ever had any issues with it. It just seems to sit there and prevent pirated versions of DXO from being run.

I am aware of others who have written on other forums about the protection causing them all sorts of PC problems but I have never suffered from any of the problems they quote. It doesn't appear 'nasty' to me but just a company protecting their rights. I do have a lot of programs running on my PC too.

Hi Mantra - I have no issues with any PACE interlock s/ware. I remember seeing it install on V4.5, but I do not recollect DXO V5.3 installing any PACE files... I have just searched the DXO forum and the thinking there is that the PACE interlock is now installed as an integral part of the DXO V5 install, so you do not actually see it install. However, I agree with PUGWASH, as it does not interfere with my use of DXO in any way.

vandec1 wrote in post #6846483
Hi Mantra - I have no issues with any PACE interlock s/ware. I remember seeing it install on V4.5, but I do not recollect DXO V5.3 installing any PACE files... I have just searched the DXO forum and the thinking there is that the PACE interlock is now installed as an integral part of the DXO V5 install, so you do not actually see it install. However, I agree with PUGWASH, as it does not interfere with my use of DXO in any way.

Vandec1

Yours is probably a more accurate answer than mine. I do remember seeing an install dialogue with v4.5 but not when I upgraded to v5. Maybe if it is already installed from a previous version then you don't see any install dialogue or perhaps it does it in the background. Wonder what a virgin install with v5 would show?

I checked the Pace Anti-Piracy folder under Common files and the log files refer to v5 as well as v4 so it is obviously still running. The bottom line is that I wouldn't know it is there if I hadn't seen the install with v4.5 and read other forums since it is causing me no problems.

Hi Pugwash - I did have V5 installed and then had to rebuild my Vista PC hard drive, so the second install was to a newly formatted drive and, therefore, virgin. I did not notice any PACE notifications - unless I got bored and looked away! I can't find any files named PACE* under any DXO program files directories - but I may be looking in the wrong place... Anyway, if we can't see it and it obviously causes us no issues, we're free to enjoy DXO for the good s/ware it is. No worries!
On a chillier note, it looks like us folk up in the North East are due another batch of snow this Saturday. I may get those seasonal snowy village pictures after all, unlike the snowy gridlock of last week, when we were stuck at work. Have a good Christmas and New year

Hi again Vandec1,

Under C:\Program Files\Common Files I have a folder called PACE Anti-Piracy but it was created with the v4.5 install. I have tried deleting it but DXO simply recreates it next time the software is run. From what you say v5 changed all this.

I shall be up on the east coast of Lincolnshire before the end of the month so maybe I will just catch some snow. Don't usually get much in Somerset except on the hills and on Exmoor. Will keep the camera charged. Who knows - this year may be different!

All best wishes to you for Christmas and the New Year.

i keep seeing this software in magazines... is it that much better at processing raw than LR/ACR?

Hi Pugwash,

Whoops don't believe me . Sorry, I was looking at the /Common Files directory under c:/Program Files/DxO Labs/Common Files. I have now checked c:/Program Files/Common Files and there IS a /PACE Anti-Piracy folder which only contains a /Log Files directory which then contains an Auth (text) file, which looks encrypted, and an Activations (text) file. These have old file dates ( a couple of months ago) and I have used DxO many times in that period. As a test, I just processed an image file to see if these file dates change, and they do not. It's a mystery.

Re you going to NE Lincs. I'm a yellowbelly and hail from Grimsby - but I keep it quiet

Best regards,