Real Makes DVD Ripping Legal: Too Little, Too Late?

Online streaming firm RealNetworks has released new PC-based software product called RealDVD that allows you to rip copy-protected DVDs onto your hard disk, legally. The question I and other critics have is, why now and why Real? Free tools for ripping DVDs (albeit illegal) have flourished online for some time. Video download services such as iTunes and streaming video sites such as Hulu.com seem to serve video-philes adequately as is.

Nevertheless, RealDVD (priced at price of $50 or for $30 as an introductory offer) will copy an entire disc to your hard disk in
about 20 minutes, depending on the computer's DVD drive and CPU speed. Users can copy as many discs as their hard disk (or external USB/FireWire hard drive) can hold and the movies can be viewed straight away from the software's library window (pictured below). The ripped movies are uncompressed and include all the extra features on the DVD, like bonus footage, surround sound and alternate audio tracks (including metadata to be displayed in the library windows, like cover art, synopsis and ratings).

Users can watch the films they ripped on up to five PCs if they buy an additional $20 license to install the software on others computers. RealDVD will be available for Windows only initially, with a Mac version planned for next year. Also, because the application is not free, you won't have to deal with what I consider its usual bloat-ware apps that Real bundles with its free music player.

Many PC users have been ripping their DVDs onto their hard drive for years or resorted to Internet file sharing services. Well, the answer is that Real says RealDVD is completely legal. All the ripped movies by the application retain their original copy-protection and also a further layer of DRM (Digital Rights Management) is added. This way you don't have to worry about any legal issues that might incur. Eric Fox, senior product manger, for Real's Media Software and Services, told Ars Technica "We licensed the DVD technology for a legal right to play back DVD content."

Many can argue the fact that RealDVD is not really flexible when it
comes to DRM or viewing your movies on as many computers as you like. But in comparison to similar solutions for music (such as iTunes), RealDVD proves to be just as straight-forward. Also, it suffers the same vulnerabilities as iTunes when it comes to importing discs that you do not legally own.

RealDVD uses the honor system and does not verify if you own the discs that you import (not that it would actually be plausible). So basically you can also import any rented DVDs or from your friends or relatives. According to a recent study nearly one-third of consumers engage in this type of DVD piracy.

RealNetworks might have hit gold with its idea of ripping DVDs legally on your computer. The solution seems feasible for many travelers that want to take their digital movies with them and do not want to face legal problems or technical headaches related to using illegal DVD ripping software tools.

If Real expands the RealDVD platform we could see certified TVs, game consoles or set-top boxes for those willing to build their ligital media libraries. Meanwhile, stay tuned for a full review of RealDVD.

Comments

What's Real doing about copying to mobile devices? Are the files able to be converted, or will we have to shell out the $ for a converter too?

cyber75sax

September 08, 2008

10:57 AM PT