We heard a while back that Apple and the movie studios were in negotiations over movie rentals, and there were mentions of iPod compatible movie files being shipped with DVDs. Of course, to be able to legitimately import DVDs (without resorting to Handbrake) has been a pipe dream for consumers. But not for much longer, it would appear -- that is, if you're a buyer of a particular Fox TV animated series on DVD.Tipster Stewart sent us a note saying he'd received a Family Guy (Blue Harvest) DVD ahead of the January 15th release (coincidence?) and that an iPod-compatible version, branded as a "Fox Digital Copy file," was included on the disc. The only downside was that the disc "requires iTunes version 7.6." We were both sceptical and interested, naturally, and he was gracious enough to send over two shots of the offending article, possibly lifting the lid on some of the iTunes news we can expect next Tuesday.
Check the shots out after the jump, keeping your eyes peeled for the (over-zealous) "serial number" that appears to be required to access this digital copy as with existing Fox titles.
Thanks Stewart!
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
1-08-2008 @ 1:04PM
Scott said...
I guess the problem with this is that it's branded as an iTunes file, not necessarily an iPod file. If I'm watching a movie on an iPod, of course the resolution can be much less. If it's supposed to be an iTunes file in general, it's meant to be watched in different places, one of which being an AppleTV attached to a nice television set. In that case, I want it to be at least DVD quality.
1-08-2008 @ 1:05PM
mabhatter said...
looking at the link it would seem Fox would have to "give" quite a bit on terms.
First the transfer to only 1 PC and 1 device is unacceptable... If I'm keyed to iTunes, I want my 5 computers and unlimited iPods. The current terms are highly unacceptable. Hopefully Steve will stick to that one point hard.
Second, Fox needs to open up to the rental market. On the site it allows only 1 serial key.. if they use iTunes, they could sell 3-4 copies of the movie off 1 DVD. Hopefully they are not too selfish to catch that revenue model.. They could make $5 extra off every rented copy if people want to keep it!! Good news for everybody, they just have to be creative.
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1-08-2008 @ 1:08PM
Galley said...
That's a great idea. Sony will be doing the same thing with its Blu-ray Discs, but those files will only transfer to a PSP.
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1-08-2008 @ 1:33PM
ryan said...
iTunes 7.6 = most likely no new iPod news at MacWorld. Such an incremental bump leads me to suspect this; just a hunch. That's a plus if you hope for a Mac-heavy show (unlike last year's iPhone dominance).
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1-08-2008 @ 1:49PM
punkassjim said...
Perhaps, but I'd say iTunes 7.6 could herald quite a bit of iPod/iPhone news, particularly since rentals are pretty much imminent. I mean, the likelihood of introducing new iPods is nil, but I think we all knew that. The time of year for that is pretty well defined: pre-holidays. And iMacs were completely re-designed recently. I'd say the highest likelihood is some portable lovin' or maybe Mini / tv news.
1-08-2008 @ 8:25PM
Beau said...
I'm guessing it'll include support for the third-party iPod Touch/iPhone apps too. :-)
1-08-2008 @ 2:03PM
Miguel said...
Did he click the "Update" button?
Just to see what happens :P
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1-08-2008 @ 3:30PM
LD said...
Is that a Che wallpaper in the background? Looks like it to me.
Some people are morons.
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1-08-2008 @ 8:23PM
Andrew said...
What? You were expecting a naked Bush? Or Dick Cheney?
Indeed, some people really are morons.
1-08-2008 @ 9:24PM
LD said...
Andrew, that's the most ridiculous response.
Understanding who Che was and what he has done has not one thing to do with Bush or Cheney or Halliburton or whatever other buzzword your feeble, sheeple mind is told to think.
Think for yourself.
1-08-2008 @ 6:36PM
h0mi said...
Put this on bluray. Put this on bluray. Put this on bluray.
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1-08-2008 @ 7:52PM
Chris said...
I guess most of you guys are American, the European (or in my case Danish) the buying of videos has not been enabled in iTunes yet.. so the mere thought of RENTING videos is going to be in a distant future.
But looking forward to it though..
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1-08-2008 @ 8:22PM
Beau said...
Yes - not currently compatible with the Zune or PSP.
Joy!
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1-10-2008 @ 11:51PM
Peter Griffin said...
That 'Che' your talking about is a spoof. Either Peter Griffin (cause I know thats out there) or judging by the swirly black stuff on the right side of the pic, a Darth Stewie.
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