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Media
Information > Media DVD Coverage 
Archive
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| Updated June 29, 2008 DVD
NEWS DIGEST
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National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets Walt Disney Los Angeles Times: Hollywood Studios Editing Home-video Strategy Several Hollywood studios are considering something that would have been unthinkable even two years ago: renting films to cable subscribers and Internet users on the same day they're released on DVD. The studios have resisted such a move, fearing that offering a cheap movie rental with the click of a mouse or remote control on the same day as its DVD release would undercut DVD sales. Even worse, such an action could invite retaliation from powerful retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the single largest seller of DVDs in the country. Warner Bros. was the first to change its strategy, saying tests with two cable operators proved fears of "cannibalization" unfounded. Now, Twentieth Century Fox says it will consider releasing certain films simultaneously on DVD and for rental via cable and online. Walt Disney Co. and Universal Studios, meanwhile, are tinkering with release dates, shortening the period between a film's release on DVD and its availability for rental on cable or the Internet.
As consumers have finished replacing their video tapes, new formats have become available, and HDTV broadcasts have taken off it's become harder to convince people they need a DVD. One thing that does seem to be helping is the recent trend of distributing free digital copies along with select new releases. These are intended to be copied to devices ranging from PCs to iPods. Some releases have even come with copies in multiple formats to make sure there's a version supporting both Microsoft and Apple. A recent Warner Bros. survey indicated more than a third of consumers are aware of these copies. Jim Wuthrich, Senior VP of Digital Distribution for the company indicated that their second release featuring a digital copy saw about 20% more people taking advantage of the feature than their first effort with the most recent Harry Potter movie.
Kathy Barrett, President of the Better Business Bureau, says it has received 52 similar complaints. "Consumers are giving complaints that these DVD's that they're ordering are bootleg DVD's. That it's very evident, they have not been copyrighted. They have computer generated papers that are for the labels." How can you make sure you buy legal DVD's? You can check out a company at bbb.com. The Motion Picture Association of America has a list on its website of sites it says sell DVD's legally.
A small west-end basement served as an illegal DVD-burning factory, with as many as 6,000 DVDs produced daily for international distribution, Toronto police said. Officers responding to a late night 911 call found one of the largest caches of illegal DVDs ever seized at a single location in Canada. Almost 40,000 illegal DVDs, 80 DVD burners, packaging equipment and industrial copiers were found in a small rented basement. “In Canada, this seizure ranks among the top five,” said a policeman. “There is an element of organized crime to this based on the way they are organized and the way they are distributed.” end
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