Digital Copy Discs in DVDs - What are they and how do they work?

Raikus — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:14:00 GMT

You may have noticed a new trend when buying DVD movies lately -- an extra disc labeled "digital copy." Normally these come in the Collector's Edition or Special Edition of a new DVD release. I first noticed it when I had to buy "Nightmare Before Christmas" on DVD for my daughter after the VCR (yes, Virginia, they do still exist) ate the tape. Most likely the first taste you'll get of a new digital disc will be when you buy the Dark Knight 2 disc collector's edition.

So what are these newfangled contraptions? Quite simply, they are digital media on a disc (normally only the feature film) that allows you to play the movie on your computer, iPod, Zune and other media enabled devices. Normally they will also include a download code for iTunes that you can enter and download the digital media version directly into your iTunes. Pretty nifty, no?

You see, the movie industry is trying to head off piracy any way that they can. They know of the programs out there, like Handbrake, that can rip DVDs and convert them into digital media so they're trying to provide an easier way. A way that, naturally, is regulated by them through DRM. Ninety percent of people that buy these DVD sets with digital copy discs won't care about DRM. However, there's a large group of people that vehemently oppose it. DRM stands for "Digital Rights Media" and is essentially a regulation device.

Apple's iTunes and iPod is an example of an annoying DRM policy. Have you ever tried to plug your iPod into a friends or spouses computer? Well, if you've already synced it to two other computer then you're tough out of luck. Most people will most likely respond "Two computers? Who uses more than that?" I, for one, and many others own a home computer, a laptop and work nearly all of the time on a computer at work. Or some people have one central computer and each spouse has a laptop. So if your spouse just downloaded the newest Killers album and you'd like to listen to it, well tough luck Johnny. You have to shell out your .99 per download as well. The other annoying thing about iProducts is that once you buy iMusic they lock you into having to use anything "i" from then on. Don't even think about buying a Zune or Sansa player because you're entire musical library is locked into Apple's proprietary file format that no one else is legally allowed to offer. The more you learn about DRM the less appealing it sounds.

But, for a music and movie industry that's fighting against surging technology, they're trying to throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. Which brings us back to our digital copy disc. They're hoping that by including this disc it will satiate your need to rip it from your legally bought DVD or download it illegally for free. However there are still problems with the way the digital copies are being distributed. First, if you buy a Region 1 DVD from the US and you live in another country you forfeit your free digital download from iTunes. Apple will only honor the code if you live in the U.S. Also, not all movie companies bought on with Apple to sell their digital media through them. Warner Bros.'s movies that include a digital copy disc only works for PCs and Windows.

As time goes on and movies transition from the physical media to the digital download media you're going to see what you're allowed to do with your bought property transition as well. Soon there will be all kinds of limitations on the digital media you buy, who you can share it with, and what you can do with it. And while digital copy discs seem like a step in the right direction (and in some ways are) they may pave the way for the eventual loss of your consumer rights. Ah well, at least you'll be able to watch Dark Knight on your iPhone.

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Digital Copy Discs in DVDs - What are they and how do they work?