Download-and-Burn movies getting closer

Download-and-Burn might just become the new mantra of the MPAA yet. Recently, the studios dropped their asinine controversial demands to retrofit set-top DVD players and DVD-ROM drives with expensive watermark detection technology. Instead, the demand is now limited to new devices with enhanced features such as the ability to burn downloaded movies or support managed copy; not to your run-of-the mill living room DVD player. Under the proposal, these so-called "enhanced devices" would also have to incorporate HDCP on all digital outputs as well as CGMS-A on analog outs in an effort to curb piracy. Something to keep in mind with your next TV purchase, eh? Sure, the watermark technology must still be chosen along with a new method for CSS authentication. But this clears the way for an overall download-and-burn agreement for standard-definition DVDs (not Blu-ray or HD DVD folks) which would allow the likes of Walmart, Target, and Best Buy to implement their download kiosks and enable the good peeps at Netflix to finally stream their flix into our homes for that sweet, sweet burn.

[Via Digital Media Thoughts]

[Special_K @ Jun 14th 2006 10:51AM]

The guy who runs IsoHunt.com is being sued. The CBC did a story on him, and while you'd think that someone who runs a torrent site would be vindictive and anti-business about the whole opperation, he said that if the movie companies made download to burn movies, he'd use them. I agree: before I discovered iTunes, I always used Limewire or Soulseek, but I got really tired of poor quality music, adware, and not being able to find indie artists. So I switched over to iTunes, and I hardly ever use Soulseek (only if I can't find a song on iTunes. Much the same way with Steam, EA Downloader, and D2D- I hardly pirate games anymore, because it's quicker, easier, and more efficient to download them from a fast, certified, and legal server. I just hope the the MPAA (or whatever they're called) finally wakes up and smells the money that's available to them if they allow downloadable films. Last night I really wanted to watch Syriana, I looked all over the internet for a site that I could legitimately download it from, but none existed, so I hit up TorrentSpy and found a fast torrent. The MPAA lost a customer who was practically shouting "PLEASE TAKE MY MONEY!!!!!!", and they'll lose more if they don't get their act together.

[Dinsdale Pirahna @ Jun 14th 2006 11:01AM]

Download and Burn is nice and all but the way I see it physical media in all its forms is dying. The next step to me seems to be to figure a way to make watermarking work so I can have my media and play it wherever I want with out worrying about who's DRM scheme it is. DRM is the only reason I haven't given any money to Itunes. I'm glad Itunes is successful but what happens when the Ipod is not the top dog anymore and all those people who bought their music are expected to pay again. I don't want media for free but I also don't want my media to be sold defective.

just my .02

[Tull @ Jun 14th 2006 11:11AM]

I however do want my media for free and am not interested in paying for anything that I can easily access for nothing.

[Dinsdale Pirahna @ Jun 14th 2006 11:32AM]

but that’s exactly my point the current media protection schemes don't stop people who want their media fro free. Effectively all they have done is alienate the people who would pay if it wasn't a rip off.

[Mike Johnson @ Jun 14th 2006 12:08PM]

The Good News: The MPAA is "finally" thinking out side of their comfort zone and adopting a "can't beat them, then join em' stance."

Theory: I doubt the retrofitting of old DVD players was ever a serious thought. It's a common practice to make an extreme suggestion so your actual desire seems much more acceptable. And it worked on me as i don't think MPAA DRM on Home DVD players that also burn.

Fact:This watermarking technique is software based and will not stop the determined. The kiosk is a great idea and will stop a good deal of pirating because it's simplicity is worth the DVDs cost.

[shon @ Jun 14th 2006 12:34PM]

has anyone at the MPAA or RIAA ever evaluated the cost to "copy protect" vs. their so-called "estimated loss" to other means? Is it worth spending the money when SOMEONE will just crack it or find a work around? Its a complete waste of time, and if they would just get over it and do business as usual, it would allow technology to progress, and they could just split the "copy protection fund" amongs who-the-fcuk ever.

[soopergooman @ Jun 14th 2006 6:56PM]

This is already being done here in St. John's Newfoundland Canada. I have bought many older favorite movies from one of these units, although not one that looks like this. I will send the engadget team some pics after the weekend

[Sean @ Jun 14th 2006 7:29PM]

They had something very similar already to this at this one foodstore located at pathmart around the levitown area long island. There was a large touch screen which you would choose a movie and it would pop out of the slot after payment not sure if they were burned on spot but it was the first and only time i've seen anything like it.

[Matt @ Jun 16th 2006 8:43PM]

Who needs download to burn when most movie most people will download will probably be rentals and you can stream the movie to a Digital Media Center like the Digitial Media Player from Buffalo Technolgies Engadget was showing off last week or the old Trusty Dlink DSM 520 that can do HD and supports a Multitude of Video codecs .