GristyMcFisty used our news submit to tell us about CinemaNow's announcement that they have actually begun allowing customer's to burn select titles to DVD. CinemaNow is a movie download site that allows users to rent or purchase films that they can then view on their computers. One of the major consumer complaints about this business model is the lack of portability...until now.
Earlier this week I posted a news story about Movielink announcing that they've bought the rights to some technology that will enable burning legally downloaded films to DVD, but there was no set date on when Movielink would actually launch this service. CinemaNow's launch strategically comes just days after Movielink's announcement.
 CinemaNow has launched download-to-DVD movies, following Movielink which announced a similar service earlier this week. The new service lets CinemaNow"s US customers download copy protected (DRM-restricted) movies and other video content and burn it to DVD for playback in a standard DVD player. At launch, content will be available from Buena Vista, Lionsgate, MGM, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, EagleVision and Sundance Channel.Downloads will include elements available with a standard DVD, such as full graphic menus, 5.1 surround sound, special features, language and commentary tracks and all bonus materials available on equivalent retail DVDs. Users can burn one copy of the file to a blank DVD+R or DVD-R disc in addition to watching it on a PC (Macs not supported). Prices start at $8.99 and include printable DVD label and cover art. "Today, our customers will experience a true innovation in home entertainment: the ability to obtain a DVD in the comfort of their living room," said Curt Marvis, CEO of CinemaNow. "Since CinemaNow was founded in 1999, our mission has been to provide our customers with convenient access to video content....we are at the forefront of digital video distribution."Both this and Movielink"s announcement increase the pressure on Apple to introduce a movie service of its own, particularly for Mac users who remain locked out of services such as these which rely on Windows-only DRM technologies. |
As always, time will tell, but one has to wonder how long CinemaNow has had such plans in the works. As of yet, the burnable titles in CinemaNow's library are limited, but hopefully soon there will be more competition and therefore more pressure on the companies to make quality content available not only for download but for burning as well. Thanks to GristyMcFisty for this news item!
Source: PC Pro
