Digital Copy Codes & Downloads Expire Too Soon

[Jason Dunn]

<p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1267908259.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Have you ever seen that screen before? If so, you'll share my frustration. In the instance above, it was the Speed Racer Blu-ray disc I got as part of a promotion when I purchased the <a href="http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/93378/samsung-s-bd-p1500-blu-ray-player-dysfunctional-in-the-extreme.html" target="_blank">piece-of-junk Samsung BDP-1500</a>. It took me a couple of months to watch Speed Racer, but when I did I saw the Digital Copy coupon and went to download it - and was presented the above error. OK, sure, it was my own fault for not getting the download right away - but it was my first purchase of Blu-ray discs and I'd never used digital copy at that point. Last week I bought a regular DVD at Costco, and upon opening the package I saw a digital copy coupon. Cool! I used it the same day I purchased the DVD and guess what? It was already expired. What the heck?</p><p>I think digital copy is a great advancement - well, it will be once they get Zune support - but it's frustrating to see the movie companies dangle it out as a carrot then snatch it away after only a few months. Are the bandwidth expenses really so high that they can't offer it for, say, a year after the DVD or Blu-ray comes out?</p>

[Reid Kistler]

Oh Joy - another thing to worry about!

We did not buy any blue ray disks until late last year, and have never used (or tried to use) a "digital copy," even though we have several movies that promise "Includes Digital Copy."

I ASSUMED that "Includes Digital Copy" meant just that, and fully expected to find a hard copy of the Digital Version of the movie enclosed in the box.

Guess we had better go check out the appropriate blue ray disks... :(

[Ron Hostetter]

The "digital copy" is crap. I've experienced this with other movies. At first, you think it's great!

But then you realize that you have to install a special viewer on your computer to watch the movie, making the movie completely non-portable. And, even after you do all this, your download may expire as well.

Not to mention having to register at another web site (with yet another password to remember) to get the download.

WORTHLESS!!

[Felix Torres]

I ignore Digital copies or give the codes away.
It is worthless anyway.

One thing, though; the original *mandatory* Digital copy spec for HD-DVD was for *on-disk* copies using key-disk DRM. It was one of the reasons the studios preferred BluRay instead. Heaven forbid we get to *legally* use the content we buy for more than one platform, right?

If I ever actually need low-res digital copies of my disks, I'll just rip'em myself.

[Macguy59]

Of the Blu-Rays I've purchased all of them had an actual MPEG4 copy of the movie on a seperate disk.

[Jason Dunn]

But then you realize that you have to install a special viewer on your computer to watch the movie, making the movie completely non-portable. And, even after you do all this, your download may expire as well.

Hmm. Are we sure we're talking about the same thing? Every digital copy I've seen is either an iTunes-based movie, or a Windows Media Player-based movie. In both cases, you type in the code, it unlocks the movie on the disc, and it transfers to your computer. No strange players, online registration, etc.

[Jason Dunn]

Of the Blu-Rays I've purchased all of them had an actual MPEG4 copy of the movie on a seperate disk.

That's what the Speed Racer disc was - and when I put in the code, I got the above error from the disc. :(

[DavidHorn]

Haven't bought a DVD (HD or otherwise) since I got screwed over by HD-DVD. Unfortunately, this goes to show that HD-DVD was the better format - fast loading times, no anti-piracy crap, no region coding. Time Warner manages to surprise me again and again with corporate ineptitude.

Such is life.

[jaxim]

Just buy a software program from dvdfab (http://www.dvdfab.com/) where you can make backup of your DVDs and/or BluRay Disks AND create digital copies to put on your Zune. Best part - the media that you legally purchased does not expire due to DRM.

[Macguy59]

Just buy a software program from dvdfab (http://www.dvdfab.com/) where you can make backup of your DVDs and/or BluRay Disks AND create digital copies to put on your Zune. Best part - the media that you legally purchased does not expire due to DRM.

Pretty sure Jason knows how to rip/copy a DVD ;) More convenient to use the "official" copy.

[Jason Dunn]

Unfortunately, this goes to show that HD-DVD was the better format - fast loading times, no anti-piracy crap, no region coding.

Well, I'm pretty sure that HD-DVD had some sort of anti-piracy crap on it, but I do agree that it was the technically better format - it was the Beta of this HD war...and it lost just like Beta did, from a marketing war.

[Jason Dunn]

Just buy a software program from dvdfab (http://www.dvdfab.com/) where you can make backup of your DVDs and/or BluRay Disks AND create digital copies to put on your Zune. Best part - the media that you legally purchased does not expire due to DRM.

Heh. Yeah, I've heard of that DVD ripping thing ;) but my point is that the digital copy is supposed to free us from the hassle of having to do that...and it's frustrating that after all this time it's still a PITA. :rolleyes:

[Reid Kistler]

First blue ray movies we've purchased are only 3 - 4 months old, & have yet to use any of the "digital copies" that several of them promote.

However, checked with No. 1 Son on the issue, and - FWIW - his Strong Recommendation was to use the iTunes app for the digital copies instead of Windows.
Apparently, using iTunes makes it easier to TRANSFER your "digital copy" from one machine to another than Windows does - thus helping to at least forestall the day when you no longer have access to it....

Am taking his word on this point, however he does have a fair amount of experience in this area, and so am inclined to lend some credence to his advice.

We actually found ourselves in a situation a couple of weekends ago where it would have been nice to have a movie or two on a laptop (or perhaps a netbook --- ???), so we plan to give this a try in the Near Future...

Other other suggestions?

[Jason Dunn]

However, checked with No. 1 Son on the issue, and - FWIW - his Strong Recommendation was to use the iTunes app for the digital copies instead of Windows.

Though I generally dislike iTunes, your son is right:

http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/95511/blu-ray-digital-copy-only-a-good-experience-for-itunes-users.html