Leak reveals iPod-ready videos on Fox DVDs
updated 03:25 pm EST, Tue January 8, 2008
iTunes 7.6 Leak
Apple's previously rumored DVD/iPod movie combo discs have been confirmed, thanks to a contributor providing a tip to TUAW. After receiving a copy of the Fox-produced Family Guy spoof of Star Wars a week ahead of its January 15th release, one customer noted that the box backing makes reference to an iPod-resolution file included on the disc, described by the packaging as a Fox Digital Copy. Inserting the disc tells the viewer that transferring the file requires the as-yet unreleased iTunes 7.6 or later, according to the report. A serial number from the case is needed to authenicate the movie.
Fox has already been including protected Windows Media versions of movies along with titles in recent months but has not announced any plans to release versions that would be compatible with iTunes and iPods.
The leak all but confirms a New York Times source, which is now known to have accurately supplied information about Fox DVD shipping with versions of movies encoded in a format friendly to Apple's software and devices. That same tip also pointed to multi-studio iTunes movie rentals; while not mentioning names beyond Fox, later claims have pointed to Lionsgate, Paramount, and Warner as potential companions for a rental project that would offer rentals for $4 each.
Lois!
01/08, 03:35pm reply
Lois, that's crazier than that time i took ecstacy...
Thanks a lot, Meg.
Rezzz
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
You think that's weird?
01/08, 03:48pm reply
You mean like the time you had tea with Mohammed, the prophet of the Muslim faith?
Try my "Mr. T. ...tea."
Monstermind
Junior Member
Joined: May 2000
freakin' sweet!
01/08, 04:47pm reply
I love you, Family Guy!
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
and...
01/08, 06:07pm reply
...not compatible with Zune. The laughs just keep coming!
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
Meh
01/08, 06:15pm reply
I'd rather just rip with handbrake and encode at my own size/rate.
apple4ever
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2001
hmmm
01/09, 09:12am reply
I wonder how they limit the viewership of these files. Theoretically, if you just copy the DVD (or borrow it), what's to keep everyone from 'stealing' the copy (well, outside the fact that (a) if you were going to 'steal' it, you might as well get the full blown DVD, and (b) you'd actually think the show is worth watching).
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
here's how
01/11, 07:31pm reply
First, if there's a unique serial number in the packaging, it'll be keyed to one iTunes account authorization. If your brother tries to type in the same key, he'll find out that you've already authorized that code (or you'll find it out when you get your disk back from him). Second, I doubt that Family Guy will be the only title available. But if it it, testudo is right... it'll depend on whether you think the show is worth watching.
tindrum
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2004