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Digital copies on DVD getting consumer attention

14 June 2008 4:12 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 18 comments

It's no secret that the annual increase in DVD sales of just a couple years ago has vanished. As consumers have finished replacing their video tapes, new formats have become available, and HDTV broadcasts have taken off it's become harder to convince people they need a DVD. One thing that does seem to be helping is the recent trend of distributing free digital copies along with select new releases.

These copies, which have been included with movies like 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' and 'Live Free or Die Hard,' are intended to be copied to devices ranging from PCs to iPods. Some releases have even come with copies in multiple formats to make sure there's a version supporting both Microsoft and Apple DRM.

Despite not getting a lot of publicity by the studios it seems consumers have taken notice of this feature. The results of a recent Warner Bros. survey indicated more than a third of consumers are aware of these copies. Jim Wuthrich, Senior VP of Digital Distribution for the company indicated that their second release featuring a digital copy, 'I Am Legend,' saw about 20% more people taking advantage of the feature than their first effort with the most recent Harry Potter movie.

Does all of this mean these digital copies are the solution to lagging DVD sales? Not likely. What's more likely is that studios can at least slow the demise of DVD while they work on alternatives from Video On Demand to Blu-ray.

Permalink to this article | Topic: Gadgets

Sony confirms movie download service coming for PS3 (26 June 2008)

iLuv introduces new DVD/iPod hybrid player (24 June 2008)

Microsoft changes policy on MSN Music DRM (19 June 2008)

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ematrix (Junior Member) 14 June 2008 5:16
Last time I checked DVD sales were down by 4%, which isn't that bad to say DVD is on demise, when the real reason for lagging DVD sales, is because currently consumers have less movies that are worth buying to choose from, than in previous years when classic 80's and 90's films were released on DVD, along with good new releases... the solution is actually producing good movies, not lame flicks nor crappy sequels and remakes... period. [ + quote]
SProdigy (Member) 14 June 2008 8:23
Plus, how many "special ultra fabulous director's never-before-seen unrated cut" versions can you hash out of the same movie? [ + quote]
7thsinger (AfterDawn Addict) 14 June 2008 11:13
*Originally posted by SProdigy:* Plus, how many "special ultra fabulous director's never-before-seen unrated cut" versions can you hash out of the same movie? Better yet...who actually watches all that stuff? [ + quote]
H0bbes (Junior Member) 14 June 2008 11:18
Me... ONCE LOL! I watched all the Lord Of The Rings extras. Except for that, I never watch any of that crap. [ + quote]
7thsinger (AfterDawn Addict) 14 June 2008 11:26
Right, and there's a couple (Star Wars, LOTR, Transformers etc) but for the hundreds of movies i digest in a year, i typically don't watch that stuff. Gag reel, that's about it. :) Learn To Backup DVDs Here [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 14 June 2008 11:29
As long as these copies are DRM free..... oh wait!..... try again plz.... [ + quote]
7thsinger (AfterDawn Addict) 14 June 2008 11:32
^Lol^ Learn To Backup DVDs Here [ + quote]
iluvendo (AfterDawn Addict) 14 June 2008 13:43
*Originally posted by SProdigy:* Plus, how many "special ultra fabulous director's never-before-seen unrated cut" versions can you hash out of the same movie? Does that make me a sucker then for buying Star Wars Star wars Spec Ed Star wars Colleectors Ed Etar Wars Premium Star Wars Ultra Premium Star Wars Never seen b4 extras Star Wars with new interviews Star Wars remastered in THX Star Wars HD DVD Star Wars BD Star Wars with Animation Star Wars Revisited Star Wars as u have never seen it b4 And the newest Stars Wars Old Geezers Edition ?????? [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 14 June 2008 13:46
*Quote:* *Originally posted by SProdigy:* Plus, how many "special ultra fabulous director's never-before-seen unrated cut" versions can you hash out of the same movie? Does that make me a sucker then for buying Star Wars Star wars Spec Ed Star wars Colleectors Ed Etar Wars Premium Star Wars Ultra Premium Star Wars Never seen b4 extras Star Wars with new interviews Star Wars remastered in THX Star Wars HD DVD Star Wars BD Star Wars with Animation Star Wars Revisited Star Wars as u have never seen it b4 And the newest Stars Wars Old Geezers Edition ?????? Heres what I;d buy for 50$ Star wars 4-6 SE without the newbie actor as anikin at the end of return of the jedi...... [ + quote]
JRude (Junior Member) 15 June 2008 1:35
DRM'd ''FREE'' copies?! lol! Most geeks in here know how to do that already! WHAT a laugher! [ + quote]
iluvendo (AfterDawn Addict) 15 June 2008 17:43
What I do not understand is why the digital copy that you can d/l to your HDD w/o a decrypter exists? It just begs for the 3 R's, rent, rip, and return. The most cost effective way to "have" a movie. Surely the money conscious consumer with a pc will realize this fact. However, I do think as Nobrainer sometimes , and just wonder if the digital copy has embedded in it a root kit virus or something of the ilk that scours the HDD (to see if have anything else on there not to the liking of the MPAA) and phones home (as most pcs are connected to the net) to rat us out. The movie companies have fought the public tooth and nail over backing up, time shifting, etc. I find this "throwing in the towel" action rather suspicious. It's if the Trojan Horse ploy was used again. Then the MPAA steps in. Because dvd sales are slipping, the movie studios are claiming this action will help dvd sales.It is as if the movie studios are inviting piracy of their product. In hind sight, they do not have much to gain, but more to lose, and they understand this. So what is their profit ? I for one do not see this action, making digital copies available,as a consumer friendly action on their part. If it wasnt for bad luck, Id have no luck! "The flimsier the product,the higher the price" Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition [ + quote]
Blackjax (Member) 16 June 2008 2:21
Well I would say it's an action along the lines of $ony. Jam in the rootkits, wait to get caught, sue on the ground of reverse engineering (copyright BS again) the guy who plans to make the info public, and when all else fails feign ignorance of virus technology, pay a fine and start all over. I'd say jrude has it right most in here already know how to do this. The rest complain when their kids trash the original and they decide to buy another copy. [ + quote]
SProdigy (Member) 16 June 2008 10:15
*Quote:* *Originally posted by SProdigy:* Plus, how many "special ultra fabulous director's never-before-seen unrated cut" versions can you hash out of the same movie? Does that make me a sucker then for buying Star Wars Star wars Spec Ed Star wars Colleectors Ed Etar Wars Premium Star Wars Ultra Premium Star Wars Never seen b4 extras Star Wars with new interviews Star Wars remastered in THX Star Wars HD DVD Star Wars BD Star Wars with Animation Star Wars Revisited Star Wars as u have never seen it b4 And the newest Stars Wars Old Geezers Edition ?????? Actually no. Most of the Star Wars releases ADD something, either to the movie, or a documentary, whereas most movies do not. I also assume you may be up to replacing a copy that was on VHS, damaged, or an older DVD that has the "grainy" look (ie. the first Matrix.) Major franchises need not apply. I'm mostly pointing my finger at the garbage comedies that always throw "unrated" in the title or the "uncut/director's cut" horror films. (cough Will Ferrel movies) Good movies are watchable once. Bad movies hardly that. Great/Classics are what we want to own. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 16 June 2008 10:38
SProdigy new scenes repalceing old scenes do not count :P [ + quote]
lynchGOP (Inactive) 16 June 2008 13:47
*Quote:* *Originally posted by SProdigy:* Plus, how many "special ultra fabulous director's never-before-seen unrated cut" versions can you hash out of the same movie? Better yet...who actually watches all that stuff? AGREEEEEEEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I only buy SOME special editions because I'm neurotic about the cover/case. I changed that by simply buying a new DVD at BestBuy and those "Special Edition" DVD covers slip right off and have a little cutout for the barcode. I then slip it on a REGULAR DVD and bring it up front. Clerk scans the barcode and isn't even looking, nor do they care about the casing. Now I have a standard DVD with a nice shiny "Special Edition" cover. At least I'm buying the damn thing and not stealing like some poor, broke-ass fool. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 16 June 2008 13:51
*Quote:* *Quote:* *Originally posted by SProdigy:* Plus, how many "special ultra fabulous director's never-before-seen unrated cut" versions can you hash out of the same movie? Better yet...who actually watches all that stuff? AGREEEEEEEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I only buy SOME special editions because I'm neurotic about the cover/case. I changed that by simply buying a new DVD at BestBuy and those "Special Edition" DVD covers slip right off and have a little cutout for the barcode. I then slip it on a REGULAR DVD and bring it up front. Clerk scans the barcode and isn't even looking, nor do they care about the casing. Now I have a standard DVD with a nice shiny "Special Edition" cover. At least I'm buying the damn thing and not stealing like some poor, broke-ass fool. and I buy used or discounted DVDs for 5$ a pop so whatever... [ + quote]
lynchGOP (Inactive) 16 June 2008 13:52
Good movies are watchable once. Bad movies hardly that. Great/Classics are what we want to own. What's up with this head up your arse quote???????? In the past discussions and especially THIS ONE, it appears that you are a DVD buyer. If only good ONCE then why buy?? HUH?? PLEASE EXPLAIN. And that is whole-heartedly opinion. Good thing opinions are like 'stinky things'. Many many many many people are like me............watch a truly good flick again and again for reasons like, nostalgia, GREAT CINEMATOGRAPHY, Special effects, funny lines, oh, and did I mention GREAT CINEMATOGRAPHY and simply "Movie appreciation". As for 'great/classics'...............that's an arbitrary term that, if it's your reasoning for buying DVDs, should be explained as to what is a 'great/classic' to you. Black and whites? Fred Astair flicks? Pale Rider? Westerns? Breakfast Club? Remember..........What came out 6-10 years ago will be considered a "classic" at some point. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 16 June 2008 13:56
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 16 June 2008 14:02
lynchGOP And some things are worth but not worth owning, there is something to be said for the complete lack of "fair play" in the media industry between bullying the consuemr and racktering with not only other businesses but government as well thus wy we call them the media mafia, I refuse to buy anything I don't like and I refuse to pay for anything I don;t like thats why I tend to watch it first buy it later. The media mafia will never fall to consumers who buy 2nd hand or never plan to buy at all because most people do buy and they will forever have a large part of the population to "de wool" forthe rest of us why buy what we like and skirt around the rest. [ + quote]