RealNetworks publicly launched RealDVD, a new program that makes it possible for PC owners to easily rip their DVDs to a computer with digital rights management (DRM) security included.
It will typically take between 10 to 40 minutes to rip anywhere from four-to-eight GB of data, and users have the ability to watch the movie as it's ripping. Each ripped DVD is encrypted so it cannot be inadvertently shared or stolen by others. In addition, it's possible to save the movie to a portable HDD or USB key, then watch it on up to five other computers that have RealDVD installed.
The regular DRM from the DVD and Real's additional level of DRM will make it more difficult for people to rip DVDs and try and put them on a peer-to-peer network.
The ability to only watch the ripped movie on computers with RealDVD, and that the cut off limit is five, shows there are some DRM issues some users will not like. But assuming the software is easy enough for anyone to use, it's likely some users will overlook any DRM issues.
DRM issues aside, users will be able to rent or borrow DVDs and rip them using the software, because RealDVD does not have an integrated method to authenticate whether the person ripping the movie actually owns it.
RealDVD is available on sale for $29.99 for a short time, with the normal retail price set at $49.99. Buyers can pay $19.99 per license for any additional licenses.
