Matsushita starts testing "pirate-proof" DVDs

Japanese electronics giant Matsushita (better known by its brand names, such as Panasonic) is trialing a DVD rental system that should be "pirate-proof". The technology combines physical DVD disc and file downloads from the Net.

The concept doesn't sound very user-friendly. The technology, which is developed by Matshushita and four other Japanese companies, forces (as far as we've understood) users to use their PCs to watch the movies instead of their existing stand-alone DVD players.

In trials, one of the participating companies, InterPia, will hand out "teaser" DVD discs that contain movie previews and trailers. Users can then purchase a full movie by inserting the disc to their PCs and downloading the movie from Net and paying for it. After the movie has been watched, it will delete itself -- viewing the movie again means that it has to be downloaded and paid again.

So, basically it sounds -- despite its "sexy" branding as "pirate-proof DVD" -- just like any other Net-based movie rental system, such as Movielink.

Source: ZDNet

Written by: Petteri Pyyny @ 10 Jun 2003 15:29

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14 comments

ookami

Wow.... do they really think this will work with "Joe Consumer"?!

_______________________
Ookami-san

10.6.2003 20:47 #1

Ghostdog

Sounds like a pretty bad service if you ask me. I doubt they�ll get the consumers excited about this.

11.6.2003 03:09 #2

J.Price

this thing will BOMB big time, what a waste! Sounds like noone there has any common sense or doesn't understand the average Joe and what he is willing to put up with.

11.6.2003 04:31 #3

Motomatt

FINALLY I can throw my big screen away to watch DVD's on my computer monitor. It's pretty obvious that Matsushita is hiring their people from temporary services.I think I will stick to buying them at the store and KEEPING them.

Matt

11.6.2003 06:55 #4

chazbmwUS

This has to be the dumbest thing they(Company) have ever thought of...I will not support pirate proof DVD's and I HOPE everyone else here won't either.

11.6.2003 07:27 #5

ken0042

Hey, it worked well with the original DIVX...... oh, wait, that tanked too.

11.6.2003 08:27 #6

joy53

Bad idea, who want to watch movies on their computer. Maybe once in a while. This Sucks. I will not support this one

11.6.2003 14:18 #7

Dela

What about the people with download limits?? lol

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11.6.2003 16:16 #8

Oriphus

I wouldnt worry about what Matsushita (Panasonic) are doing. They tried that years ago and now you can hack and compress movies.

He who Asks for Nothing, Shall Never be Dissapointed!

11.6.2003 17:20 #9

QUAKEDS

WOW,,, I AM PRETTY SURE ,,EVEBODY CAN,, BUY A HD PLASTA FOR $7000 TO PLUG THE PC JA JA JA ..:0)

DUM DUM DUM

11.6.2003 19:48 #10

donlion

Dumb and Dumber

12.6.2003 06:13 #11

Ghostdog

So if QUAKEDS is Dumber, who is Dumb?

12.6.2003 09:36 #12

JW_LEES

These guys who invented this concept are from another planet. Talk about nerds !!

12.6.2003 09:47 #13

Actuator

its too bad they are only testing it, they will not wast all that much money doing that, then they will find out that nobody will embrace what they offer - I wish they would throw tons of money into the project and go bankrupt , Matsushita should just stick to making there panasonic batteries and forget net based movie rental systems - that is, unless they let you rent for 25 cents a movie.

15.6.2003 22:43 #14

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