I thought Digital Copy would run HandBrake and other DVD copy software out of business. So today I decided to try out Digital Copy for real and back up my claims (and blog post) from a short time ago.
Back when I wrote about Digital Copy killing HandBrake, I didn’t have all of the facts. All I knew was that digital copy was coming and it was going to make life so much easier for all of us who watch movies on our Macs, AppleTV, iPhones and iPods…
I was half-right.
Digital copy makes it easier to transfer movies to our Apple products (I’m assuming again because I haven’t tried it), but we’ll all have to pay for the convenience.
Where’s The Digital Copy File? It’s On The DVD, Right?
I opened iTunes and stuck the Juno DVD in my Mac. iTunes will recognize the DVD and instantly copy the correct movie file right to my library – just like Apple said it would. That’s what I thought, but it didn’t happen.
The movie started playing in DVD Player – like a “regular” DVD and that wasn’t supposed to happen. I picked up the DVD case and read the back. Looking for anything that might be a “digital copy” icon.
No icon. No good.
“No problem. iTunes didn’t recognize it this time. It happens” I thought. I clicked the DVD on my desktop and opened it up. Here’s what I found:
The two folders every DVD has: AUDIO_TS and VIDEO_TS. No digital copy file or usable video file anywhere.
After about 10 minutes of searching the folders and reading the back of the DVD case (about 12 times) I figured something was wrong. This DVD of Juno did NOT have the digital copy file.
Digital Copy Costs More Money
I did some quick research at Amazon.com and found that the Juno DVD that we bought for $15.99
If you want to buy the Juno DVD with digital copy, you’ll have to buy the two-disc Special Edition with Digital Copy for $22.99
Or grab the Blu-ray version of Juno DVD with digital copy for $24.99
In fact, all of the movies I found that have digital copy – all of them are Special Edition and cost anywhere between $5-$10 more.
Look For The Green, Digital Copy Banner
After surfing a few more movies at Amazon.com, I found that all of the versions with digital copy have a green banner at the top with the text “Digital Copy.” – Clever right?
Can you find the green Digital Copy banner in this picture?
If you can find a DVD with the green banner, you’re golden! The digital copy file should be waiting and ready for your viewing pleasure.
HandBrake Ain’t Dead Yet
My guess is people won’t want to pay the extra money to get the Special Edition of a DVD just to get the digital copy file – and and easier way to transfer the movie to your iPhone, iPod or Mac – Especially when HandBrake is free.
I’m thinking that HandBrake will continue to be used by thousands of Mac owners as the movie copy software of choice.
