RealNetworks To Introduce a Simple DVD Copier

langelgjm writes "The New York Times reports that RealNetworks will begin selling RealDVD today, a software program designed to make copying DVDs a trivial task for the average user. Unlike free alternatives, which generally require some technical knowledge and make it difficult to copy an entire DVD with extras, etc., RealDVD claims to be able to copy the entire DVD, menus and all. While sure to raise the ire of Hollywood, the program does have significant limitations: the DVDs it makes will only be playable on the computer where they were created; or, users can pay $20 per computer to play the DVDs on up to five additional computers."

Comments

Slashvertisement

[bjourne]

Worst Slashvertisement ever!

Re:Slashvertisement

[monsul]

If this is a Slashvertisement, they've got the audience wrong. I'm pretty sure everyone here knows how to copy a DVD without having to pay 20 bucks to Real Networks

Re:Slashvertisement

[GuldKalle]

Huh, AFAIK Handbrake is for both win, linux and OS X. Did I miss something?

Re:Slashvertisement

[MBGMorden]

I don't think anyone was questioning why anyone would want to copy DVD's - just why they'd want to do so with this program. Doing so with the free stuff out there isn't THAT hard. When you figure that this software introduces DRM, locks to a single computer, and then tries to extort out $20 for the right to play on more computers, it's a pretty lousy deal.

PARTICULARLY nasty is the fact that Real seems to think that they can use DRM extortion tactics on content that don't own. That's a situation that is true regardless of whether or not the media is even pirated. If it's a major studio film, then Real has no legal ability to extra money from restricting rights to that. OR, even if it's just your wedding DVD you're copying - you are legally fine to copy it but you own the copyright yourself and Real has no legal right to restrict your usage of it.

Re:Slashvertisement

[Waffle Iron]

What I need is a program that can automate that process so I can (for example) quickly and easily insert a Stargate DVD, and come back an hour later to 4 episode AVIs on my C: drive.

i=1
for title in {3,5,7,8}; do
        mencoder "dvd://$title" -o "episode_$i.avi";
        i=$(($i+1));
done

The summary is misleading

[elrous0]

If it won't produce something that will play on a standard stand-alone DVD player, then IT'S NOT A DVD AND THIS IS NOT A "DVD Copier." This is just a ripper that adds an annoying layer of DRM to the files (umm...no thanks). And you get to pay for the privilege, no less. Woo hoo!

There are any number of one-button DVD rippers that are just as good, just as simple, and produce an actual DVD. And many of them are free. DVDfab is just one example. It produces an actual DVD, it's as simple as it gets to use, and it doesn't cost a dime (unless you want the premium version).

PCs?

[oahazmatt]

Let me know when this DVD copier actually lets me copy DVDs that can be played on a DVD Player.

"Simple"

[The MAZZTer]

It uses DRM. No way can it be simple.

Real shoots itself in the head again

[DrXym]

Real just don't have a clue. If they had any sense their software would work like this:

• You can rip any unencrypted DVD you like via a 1-click tool. For free. It takes 2-5 hours after which you have a lovely H264 or AVC file to do with as you please.
• You can insert any encrypted DVD you like and instantly download a DRM'd digital copy of it for $2.
• You can buy / rent movies from Real Network's online service.
• • The result is people would flock to Real Player just like they flocked to iTunes when it offered free CD ripping.

    Attempting to bilk people for $30 software that makes a DRM'd copy of a movie just isn't going to fly when free and non-free tools already exist that rip DVDs to any format you like. Especially when Real Networks is reknowned for producing bloated spyware laced crap. If you want to go free, find DVD Decrypter & Handbrake and you can rip and encode movies suitable for a variety of formats and devices. If you want non-free then use AnyDVD and Nero Recode. The tools are not as simple as they could be but they work and they work extremely well.

Re:Yeah, was going to say

[eln]

It's really lame that they make stuff like DVDDecrypter illegal but still insist on sticking to the region encoding crap. In the US, the only way I can get some foreign content is to purchase it from a foreign location and use DVDDecrypter to get rid of the region encoding so I can actually view it using my region 1 DVD player.

Why is it that in a so-called "global economy" we are limited to buying and viewing DVDs produced for our own region without circumventing the encryption on the disc (thereby technically violating the DMCA)?

Real is not relevant

[Huntr]

When's the last time Real mattered? They chose the wrong path a long, long time ago and something as stupid as an automatic DRM inserter doesn't get them headed in the right direction. This company seems to have no clue about the realities of digital content use and management.

Free tools are hard

[digitalhermit]

Unlike free alternatives, which generally require some technical knowledge and make it difficult to copy an entire DVD with extras, etc.,...

What??? Maybe you're right.. there are a ton of steps..

Using DVDShrink and CDBurnerXP. Steps to copy a disk:

1) Insert DVD.
2) Launch DVDShrink.
3) Select Open Disc.
4) Select Backup.
5) Choose Backup location (make note of this location).
6) When complete, exit DVDShrink.
7) Launch CDBurnerXP.
8) Select Burn Disc from ISO.
9) Eject the source DVD and insert a blank DVD.
10) Select the source ISO.
11) Press Burn.
12) Wait

Actual time outside of the wait is about 20 seconds of real work.. Of course, I've listed EVERY step. If I detailed how to save a file in Notepad it would take quite a few steps...

1) Wait until the computer boots.
2) Click on Start.
3) Click on All Programs.
4) Click on Accessories.
5) Click on Notepad.
6) Type your message into the editing window.
7) Click on File.
8) Click on Save.
9) When prompted, select a location to save your file.
10) Press OK. (or SAVE)
11) Select File.
12) Select Exit.

Re:Yeah, was going to say

[purpledinoz]

Region encoding is the biggest bullshit ever. I moved from Canada to Germany, brought my DVDs over, and my friends can't play them because of region encoding. Great. And they wonder why people download? Fuck you MPAA.

Seconded

[hummassa]

I fail to see DVD copying could be done simpler than with k9copy.
Insert DVD, click "make DVD copy", wait, done.