Download DVDs to burn on day one

Stuart Corner
Friday, 24 November 2006 10:00

Your IT - Home IT

Reeltime, in conjunction with Universal Pictures, has launched a service that will offer movies that can be downloaded, on the day of the movie is released to DVD, stored on a PC, on a portable device and burned to a DVD and owned.

The system operates via a unique three-copy secure burn model. By logging onto www.reeltime.tv consumers can access two Windows Media files, downloadable to PC/laptop and a portable device (compatible with Windows Play4Sure technology) and a third digital file that allows the movie to be securely and legitimately burned to DVD, containing full DVD functionality.

From the launch date, 29 November, consumers will be able to choose from an initial selection of 35 Universal titles, led by Miami Vice which will be available day and date with the DVD retail release. ReelTime says it will progressively encode and make available new release titles on the same day and date as DVD release, as well as further catalogue titles. It expects to have about 1000 titles available by late 2006/early 2007. Downloads will be priced from $14.98, with new release titles costing up to $33.99.

ReelTime says that downloads will be "superfast on ADSL2 and cable networks throughout Australia and New Zealand." However each hour of movie is approximately 620Mbytes and there is one file for each format - PC, portable and DVD burn - Also, depending on the user's ISP the movies could well take a substantial chunk of their monthly download quota.

ReelTime also offers broadband TV services which complement existing ISP and New Media services, and is partnered with Yahoo!7 in Australia for delivery of ReelTime's studio content to the public.