RealNetworks sent out a press release morning, announcing RealDVD. This new application gives users the ability to rip and save DVDs to their PC or portable hard drive and watch them later without the physical discs. To avoid any legal actions by the MPAA, RealDVD encrypts and locks saved DVDs so they cannot be shared or stolen.
Digital entertainment services company RealNetworks(R) today unveiled RealDVD(TM), the first mainstream PC application allowing consumers to easily save their DVDs to their hard drive. RealDVD makes it easy to save DVDs to a PC or portable hard drive and watch them later without the physical discs. Unlike existing consumer applications on the market today, RealDVD is licensed DVD software that saves a secure copy of a DVD to the hard drive without removing or altering the CSS encryption.
"RealDVD gives consumers a great new way to get more out of their DVDs," said Rob Glaser, chairman and CEO of RealNetworks. "RealDVD continues in Real's tradition of consumer innovation over the past 15 years alongside RealAudio, RealJukebox, RealArcade, Rhapsody, and, most recently, RealPlayer 11."
RealDVD eliminates the hassle of searching through piles of DVD cases to find a missing disc and the disappointment of finding a favorite disc scratched and unplayable. Saving DVDs lets consumers create a valuable back-up copy of their digital library on their computer or portable drive for playback at home or on the road. RealDVD is ideal for traveling on business or entertaining the kids on a long trip with instant access to a variety of content and no physical discs to manage. Laptop users will appreciate improved battery life as the disc drive is no longer needed for video playback. Saving DVDs to portable hard drives creates an easy to manage personal library that is great for travel. Content saved to portable drives can be played on up to five machines licensed to an individual user.
Fast Facts:
-- RealDVD saves an exact copy of the DVD image to a PC's internal or portable hard drive. Users can simultaneously watch and save a DVD
-- Saved DVDs are then encrypted and locked again to make sure they cannot be shared or stolen
-- Saving DVDs takes an average of 10-40 minutes, and takes up roughly 4-8 gigs of space
-- RealDVD lets users pause and auto resume playback where they left off
-- DVDs saved on a portable hard drive can be played on up to 5 PCs per user with an authorized copy of RealDVD
-- Watching a saved DVD uses less battery life than viewing content from a disc in the drive
-- Browse cover art, genre, title rating and actor information, imported automatically during saving
-- Parental controls ensure children only access entertainment that is appropriate for their age
RealDVD will be available this month from www.realdvd.com. Consumers can register to be one of the first to receive RealDVD for a limited-time discount offer of $29.99 ($20.00 off the retail price of $49.99). Additional licenses [up to 4] are available at a discounted price of $19.99.
