RealNetworks to launch DVD ripping software
UPDATE: Company says content transfer doesn't break CSS encryption
By Jennifer Netherby -- Video Business, 9/8/2008
SEPT. 8 | RealNetworks wants to make DVD ripping mainstream with the launch of a new software program that allows consumers to transfer studio movies from DVDs to their computer hard drive as easily as they transfer music from CDs.
RealNetworks is targeting travelers and those on the move with its RealDVD software, which will begin selling later this month for $49.99 (discounted to $29.99 for those who order for a limited time).
RealDVD transfers movies and bonus features to PCs and portable drives with CSS still in place. In the future, the company wants to make movies transferable to play on other devices and even the TV.
RealNetworks doesn’t need a license from the studios to allow consumers to transfer content to the PC because it isn’t breaking the CSS encryption, VP of video product development Jeff Chasen said. The company has a license from the DVD Copy Control Assn. to use CSS encryption.
RealNetworks has been talking with the major studios for the last few weeks about partnerships for other video services, Chasen said. He said the company has heard some concerns from the industry over RealDVD.
"There are concerns definitely around making sure the content can’t be widely distributed," he said. "We're making sure it can’t get stolen or put on BitTorrent."
The Motion Picture Assn. of America put out a statement Monday saying they were told of RealDVD last week and are “continuing to look into it.”
One major studio source speaking on background said the software wouldn’t be received well by the industry and pointed to ongoing litigation related to digital movie copies.
RealDVD’s launch follows the DVD Copy Control Assn.’s court loss last year in its lawsuit against Kaleidescape, a company that makes home theater systems that allow consumers to store their DVD library on a server for playback on their home network. That case is on appeal.
RealNetworks was expected to launch RealDVD today but pushed the release back to later this month to make sure the software works as it should, Chasen said.
The ease of ripping CDs has been blamed for rampant online music piracy.
Unlike with CDs, which don’t have copy protection and can be ripped again and again, RealDVD will allow users to only transfer DVD content to up to five PCs or portable drives licensed to an individual user. Once content is transferred, RealNetworks says the discs are encrypted again and cannot be shared or stolen.
RealDVD imports box art, genre and other details while saving the copy. Transfers take between 10 to 40 minutes, and users can watch the movie as they’re transferring it. Films use 4GB to 8GB of space on a computer or portable hard drive.
