Drive in app stores DVDs

Telestream has unveiled a new Mac application, Drive-in, that allows images of DVDs to be stored on a computer. The movies can be played from the computer hard drive, retaining all of the original special features and menus. Users can browse or search through titles, actor names, movie descriptions, and cover art. Depending on personal preference for the user interface, Drive-in can be played through Apple's DVD Player or Front Row.

Drive-in creates a duplicate image of the DVD on the hard drive, including the content protection. According to Telestream, the software, licensed computer(s), and each image are are locked together and can't be shared. In contrast to their previous stance on disc ripping, the DVD CCA and DVD FLLC have enough confidence in this architecture to issue licenses. Users won't be able to borrow images from friends or share the software and images with anyone else.

Real also introduced a similar program on Monday, RealDVD for Windows, that also allows DVDs to be saved and searched by title, actors, etc., however it does not permit playback through other software. Both programs claim the energy saved from spinning an optical disc extends the movie watching time on notebooks.

Drive-in for Mac OS X 10.4+ costs $40 for a single computer, or $60 for a household with up to 5 computers. The pricing schedule is different than RealDVD, which will eventually charge the full price of $50 for a single license and $20 for each additional license key.

by MacNN Staff