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First DVD to Ship with WMV File for PC, Portables

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

October 16, 2007, 1:23 PM

While the fourth "Die Hard" DVD may seem like an unlikely place to set a historical milestone in the movie industry, Yippee Kay-yay. 20th Century Fox said Tuesday that a special edition version of "Live Free or Die Hard" will include a Windows Media Video file that can be copied to a PC or portable video player.

The WMV file reportedly has no DRM, however the user will be required to input a 16-digit code before the DVD software will unlock and copy it. Called "Digital Copy," the feature will be available on future Fox DVDs, although no specific titles were announced. Warner Home Video plans a similar capability for "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," which goes on sale in December.

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By cannonfodder

edited Oct 17, 2007 - 9:21 AM

@ grassy

the portable file with the dvd is going to be bundled with Microsoft's PlaysForSure DRM, meaning that besides PC's, players from a number of vendors including Archos, Toshiba, Samsung, and RCA (but not Microsoft) is possible. This is going to be the start of the anti apple campaign to hit back at them for not allowing the big studios to price fix as apple stopped them raising the prices saying it was unfair to consumers!

http://en.wikipedia.org/.../Microsoft_PlaysForSure

as i stated another propertarian format used and marketed as pro consumer, when actually its as anti consumer as they get!

Score: 0

By Hocuspokus

posted Oct 17, 2007 - 12:59 PM

"This is going to be the start of the anti apple campaign to hit back at them for not allowing the big studios to price fix as apple stopped them raising the prices saying it was unfair to consumers!"

- Well that's one take on it I guess but with Apple's ludicrously high pricing that just about takes the biscuit!

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Oct 17, 2007 - 10:42 AM

Then don't buy it, not everyone has to have a smaller copy for their portable device, its an attempt to try something different and make it easier, OMG THEY GOTTA INPUT A 16 digit code! OH THE HUMANITY!

If they removed all restrictions off the file people would abuse it, its sad they have to do this but they are a business, you would do the same if it cut into your profits.

For people who actually care about this they will go through the usual methods of getting around this, the average consumer will not care so as long as it works.

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Oct 17, 2007 - 3:59 AM

Wait a minute..
No DRM on the file once you input a password to copy it. So in theory you can copy it all you want after that.
Was it not FOX that was praising Blu-rays extra security features in +?
I'm confused....

Score: 0

By AntiochMedia

posted Oct 17, 2007 - 2:45 AM

WMV is gross.

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Oct 17, 2007 - 10:44 AM

Its gross? Didn't realize it was a tangible object that you could "feel"

Score: 0

By lonechicken

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 2:39 PM

So is the "no DRM" part what's unprecedented? Because I remember a few years back, Terminator 2: Extreme Edition had an HD resolution WMV version with the DVD release.

So the title of this article is a little misleading.

Score: 0

By auiotour

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 4:11 PM

It says for portables, not sure how many people keep stuff at HD resolution while copying it to their portables. seems like a wasted space for a resolution you can't even see.... So the title isn't misleading just misunderstood.

Score: 0

By grassy

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 2:36 PM

Cannonfodder,

I think you are missing the point a bit. Firstly it says in the article that there is no DRM. Secondly, of course it will be a reduced quality version. It is intended for portable devices such as Zunes and iPods. Yes, I said iPods! If the file has no DRM then there is nothing stopping you from converting it to a different format after you have copied it to the PC.

Terminalx,
As the article says there is no DRM so there should be no license and therefore no information sent. A quick test would be to disconnect your internet connection and see if it will unlock. I suspect it will based on the information in the article.

There is nothing really stopping warez groups from sending the WMV file around the internet after it has been unlocked but as the past has shown, if they really want to pirate it they can anyway. This simply allows normal people to easily be able to take a movie they purchased and watch it on a Zune or similar with little to no knowledge on how it is done.

Score: 0

By AntiochMedia

posted Oct 17, 2007 - 2:45 AM

But that whole password bit IS DRM.

Score: 0

By cannonfodder

edited Oct 16, 2007 - 2:07 PM

another propertarian format used yet again and marketed as something good. there is always: FairUse4WM to remove any drm that may be included, but this does little to stop file sharing as you can download it without anti-consumer locks or purchase a controlled file that wont work on the devices you own, so how does it help? what's the bets that it is a reduced quality version which will look awesome on your notebook running from the hard drive to save battery performance!

this move is purely designed to get apple out of the way so the big studios can start price fixing! the iPod has a huge fanbase already so to deny these ppl shows how arrogant these companies are, and they deserve to fail !

Score: 0

By terminalx

edited Oct 17, 2007 - 10:58 AM

this move is purely designed to get apple out of the way so the big studios can start price fixing! the iPod has a huge fanbase already so to deny these ppl shows how arrogant these companies are, and they deserve to fail !

So, its ok then for files purchased from Apple not to work on other devices either?

Their protected aac only works with itunes and ipods, sure you can burn it to a disk then re-rip it or use a program to remove the drm off of it so the file can be converted. You can do the same for the drm in just about any file, but the average consumer won't care so long as it works.

But, that wasn't your point, it was poor Apple how will they be able to continue using their drm files for their devices only. Its ok to like a product but to believe Mr Jobs is a saint and is the savior of all digital media is a joke.

Score: 0

By phenomnaruto

edited Oct 16, 2007 - 3:26 PM

yea becasue, if they dont work with the almighty apple and their all-in-one, no need for 3rd party software OS's, than of course they deserve to fail ..........

/sarcasm

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 1:45 PM

When unlocking does it collect any data from your pc, what stops you from going to another pc and unlocking it, anything?

What if it ties itself to one pc and that pc dies, do you have to buy a new dvd?

I am sure these answers are somewhere

Score: 0

By Hollywood__

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 1:42 PM

I think it's a great feature, of course non savvy iPod users are screwed. It may be time to get a newly styled Zune, the old ones are god awful ugly.

The file will also play on my Blackjack, which is pretty cool, you have to have a decent size MicroSD though. The problem is the battery would die before the movie was over on this phone.

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Oct 16, 2007 - 1:47 PM

I just picked up a Zune off of woot! yesterday for $100, I liked my friend's and for that price it was hard to pass up.

Score: 0

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