Digital Copy Advice

[Geologist]

Hi all -

I am not a newbie to computers and technology but I would love to have some input and opinions regarding the use of the digital copies that are included in various films. First some basic info:

1) We are a "Windows" household (PCs running 2000, XP, Vista, and 7)
2) I have about 10 digital codes from various films.
3) We do NOT have Ipods, IPhones, IPads, etc.
4) I do have a Nokia N97 Mini which is capable of playing video content.

I ask Windows or ITunes versions as I am concerned about having backups of the digital copy. I have heard that people were able to reinstall the digital copy via ITunes after a system failure - I am not sure how this would work in Windows. Also would the Windows version allow me to view on multiple machines/devices? I would assume ITunes would.

Also - since we have an XBOX360, I was considering the Zune - but again my primary interest is when a hard disk dies, what happens to the digital copies?

Secondly, is there any quality difference in the two versions? I wouldn't think so, but thought I would ask.



***AGAIN***

Any input, experiences, ideas, etc would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[un4gvn94538]

window vista here and i lost all copies when i had to reinstall vista. i tried before to make a back up and move from one drive back to my pc and it didnt work. that was a couple years ago. i dont do digital copies anymore. if i feel its worth the effort, i sell them.

[Nemo3404]

I put mine on my iTunes account. My windows computer got a virus and crashed. I had it fixed and all my stuff backed up and put back on. All digital copies were there. But one thing I noticed, my iTunes account said this was the second computer to load files and my account on. You can only have five, so keep that in mind.

[mr. b]

I use both Windows and Itunes versions. I will download both if allowed to, but I download the Itunes version first in case the Windows doesn't allow me to after I've done it. With ITunes, you can re-install a movie with the same dl code to the same account. I actually install all of them to my desktop in ITunes, and some of the ones I like, I'll intall a second time in my laptop for when I'm out of town on business. If you have the same account set up in Itunes for the desktop and laptop, then it will work. I'm going to be buying an ITouch this Christmas for my daughter, so I'll see how it works on that.

The vq is the same for both windows and Itunes from what I can tell, but some films have two different copies for windows. They'll have a large file to use on a tv or laptop, and they'll have a smaller version to use on a portable windows capable device.

They expire within the first year of release, but sometimes they still work even after the expiration date. If you think you might want to use them in the future, then you should use them now before they expire. You should still check though if they are expired. I was not able to dl the Fast and Furious Trilogy ones I had into ITunes because they were expired, but I was still able to dl the Windows versions.

I have not backed up ITunes yet, but I think that if you use their backup feature, then all your movies can be re-installed with the backup file.

I think the only way to backup the Windows versions is to clone the hard-drive that they are on. I did this with my laptop recently. I wanted to increase the size of my hd in my laptop, so I purchased a bigger one, cloned my old hd onto it, and all my windows movies worked fine on the new hd.

I have been wondering what is going to happen as well with my digital copies once the computer actually dies and I have to get a new one. I was thinking of having a working cloned hard-drive as a back-up, and when I get a new computer, swap the cloned drive into the new computer. I'd probably have to stick with the same manufacturer, but I don't know if this would work. I'm sure I'd have to install the drivers for all the new hardware onto the cloned drive, and I'd have to install the new operating system, but I've never actually did this before.

I was also going to look into backing up just the registry, and then doing a drag and drop with the movie files into a new hard-drive. They won't work initially, but if there is a way to back up the registry and install it onto a new computer, then the movies should work after the registry is updated.

I guess if no one has done any of this before, then I'll have to experiment with them when I get a new computer. I'm pretty sure the ITunes copies will be okay, but I'm not sure about the Windows based versions.

[Gray Wolf]

Originally Posted by Nemo3404

I put mine on my iTunes account. My windows computer got a virus and crashed. I had it fixed and all my stuff backed up and put back on. All digital copies were there. But one thing I noticed, my iTunes account said this was the second computer to load files and my account on. You can only have five, so keep that in mind.

for the record when you do reach five computers authorized you can reset your activations (but you can only do this once a year, not a calendar year but a year from the date you do it)

[mr. b]

Originally Posted by Nemo3404

I put mine on my iTunes account. My windows computer got a virus and crashed. I had it fixed and all my stuff backed up and put back on. All digital copies were there. But one thing I noticed, my iTunes account said this was the second computer to load files and my account on. You can only have five, so keep that in mind.

I have a few older computers that I no longer use synced to my ITunes acount, so I'm at 4 right now. I've read though that once you hit 5, you can de-select all 5 computers. Then all you have to do is sync your computers up again to Itunes to start fresh.

[steve_dave]

Digital copies provided by studios have Digital Rights Management locks.

Windows Media...

One PC can use a digital copy. The exact same computer name and DRM key have to be provided to use a digital copy in the event of system errors.

Digital copy is WMV and only works on PCs with Windows Media Player and very select portable players. There is no Zune or XBox 360 compatibility.

Resolution is not as high as iTunes since these are designed to be played back on PCs or smaller devices but is near 480p SD quality.

iTunes...

Up to five PCs and/or Macs can use a digital copy. There is no need to have the DRM key as it is built into the file, simply log back into iTunes in the event of a system error.

Digital Copy is M4V and works on PCs with iTunes, Macs with iTunes, iPod with Video, iPod Nano with Video, iPod Touch, iPhone, and Apple TV.

This will have larger resolution as it is designed to be viewed on televisions through Apple TV, maximum resolution is 480p.

[HD Goofnut]

I have put all of my Digital Copies on my laptop hard drive, but I rarely ever watch them. I rip some of my BDs to an external hard drive and I would much rather watch that than a digital copy especially when it only takes about 30-45 minutes to rip a 15-30 GB movie file.

[xmonkeywarriorx]

ROFL!!! i made back up alright LOL by breaking the DRM that is . digital copy suck cuz of DRM, they fail to make it easy for us who buy their movies.

[Geologist]

So I take it then the concensus is that "backups" are possible via itunes but not via normal windows and/or zune? (there may be a complicated way under windows` but at some point one may find it easier just to rip your own digital copy)
guess i got to set up an itunes account!

[DNinja]

Originally Posted by Geologist

So I take it then the concensus is that "backups" are possible via itunes but not via normal windows and/or zune? (there may be a complicated way under windows` but at some point one may find it easier just to rip your own digital copy)
guess i got to set up an itunes account!

That's the reason I started using iTunes initially. It's easier to make backups of digital copies on there and you can authorize or unauthorize a device or computer easily.

[Greenboom98]

Originally Posted by xmonkeywarriorx

ROFL!!! i made back up alright LOL by breaking the DRM that is . digital copy suck cuz of DRM, they fail to make it easy for us who buy their movies.

What software? Soundtaxi? :-D Thing takes forever to get them "Unlock" :-(

[mr. b]

Originally Posted by Greenboom98

What software? Soundtaxi? :-D Thing takes forever to get them "Unlock" :-(

Discussions of unlocking DRM is not allowed on this site, so I would not be discussing that here. The OP was discussing legitimate digital copies purchased with blu-rays, and how to back them up or prevent losing them in case of a crash.

[Gardenofstone10]

Digital Copies are tricky, I like how Disney saves it on their movierewards website for their titles. If all sites did that, we'd have no problems

[Geologist]

Originally Posted by Gardenofstone10

Digital Copies are tricky, I like how Disney saves it on their movierewards website for their titles. If all sites did that, we'd have no problems

Does that mean one is safe on Disney titles in the event of a crash?

[high def ho!]

Geologist, Disney digital copy codes can be entered on the Disney Movie Rewards site for points. When you look at your point history you will see the code you entered, in case you ever lose the code page and need to re-install it through your itunes account. Disney Movie Rewards also has a sister site that will let you stream the movies that you have entered digital codes for. So Toy Story 3 came with a digital copy, I just log in to my account and can stream it anywhere I have internet, even if the download isn't on that particular computer. For example, a friends laptop on vacation or something.

[RBBrittain]

Originally Posted by xmonkeywarriorx

ROFL!!! i made back up alright LOL by breaking the DRM that is . digital copy suck cuz of DRM, they fail to make it easy for us who buy their movies.

Originally Posted by mr. b

Discussions of unlocking DRM is not allowed on this site, so I would not be discussing that here. The OP was discussing legitimate digital copies purchased with blu-rays, and how to back them up or prevent losing them in case of a crash.

Originally Posted by high def ho!

Geologist, Disney digital copy codes can be entered on the Disney Movie Rewards site for points. When you look at your point history you will see the code you entered, in case you ever lose the code page and need to re-install it through your itunes account. Disney Movie Rewards also has a sister site that will let you stream the movies that you have entered digital codes for. So Toy Story 3 came with a digital copy, I just log in to my account and can stream it anywhere I have internet, even if the download isn't on that particular computer. For example, a friends laptop on vacation or something.

+1 on all these posts. I ended up cracking the DRM (using software that can't be mentioned here) on the only DC I ever actually installed on my main PC, the first SATC movie--which, yes, I do legally own. (I also installed Amadeus on my laptop, but my GF got the laptop and then broke it.)

Beyond those, the only relevance of DCs to me is for Disney movies, where having a DC version gives you free streaming access thru Disney Movies Online after entering its code for DMR points. Many non-DC versions also allow you to buy DMO access at a discounted rate--in some cases, even on vault titles. (I can buy DMO access to The Little Mermaid for $5.99, even though it's in the vault and will stay there for some time, because I have a used Platinum DVD registered at DMR.)

Windows Media DRM is notoriously buggy; the only other WMDRM material I have now is purchased Amazon Unbox downloads, where the "Import" feature in Unbox software effectively lets you make backup copies, and refresh their WMDRM licenses on your licensed PC for future playback, at will. (It also offers streaming access via the Amazon website.) iTunes DRM works more or less as advertised, but it's still DRM.