RealNetworks to launch DVD ripper, complete with DRM

by Brad Linder Sep 8th 2008

RealNetworks, makers of RealPlayer and the company that brought you the Rhapsody subscription music service are expected to announced a new product called RealDVD today. What's RealDVD? It's a DVD ripper. But unlike most DVD rippers available today, RealDVD makes a complete copy of a disc right down to the menus, alternate audio tracks, and special features. Oh yeah, and the software only lets you play that copy on a single computer thanks to some heavy-handed DRM.

There is a way around this restriction. You can transfer the file to up to 5 additional Windows PCs by purchasing up to 5 additional software licenses at $20 a pop. The first license will cost you around $30.

Of course, there are plenty of other applications that let you rip movies for free. And they don't add DRM. A few of my favorites are:

Technically it's illegal to use the aforementioned apps to rip commercial DVDs. But if you plan to make a backup of your movie collection for viewing on your PC and don't plan to distribute those movies on the internet, odds are nobody will come banging down your door. And you don't need to pay $20 if you buy a new computer and want to move your collection from one PC to the next.

Tags: drm, dvd, dvd-catalyst, dvd-catalyst-free, dvd-ripper, fair-use-wizard, handbrake, movies, ratdvd, realdvd

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Adam Gott said 9:54AM on 9-08-2008

Idiots!

Lets see, I can take my $5 dvd and pay REAL TWENTY BUCKS for the privelege of being able to watch it on more than one PC/PMP in my house?

You guys are idiots!

malf said 10:24AM on 9-08-2008

dun you get it? borrow ur friends dvds and copy them. duh

divyesh said 11:09PM on 11-11-2008

yes

bear said 10:27AM on 9-08-2008

WinMPG Video Convert is a best Video Converter to convert avi mpeg move in the world,It supports almost all video file formats, including AVI, Mpg, Mpeg, Mpeg1, Mpeg2, Mpeg4, VCD, SVCD, DVD, DivX, ASF, WMV, and QuickTime MOV.Celebrate Christmas!In the limited time, if you purchase the WINMPG VIDEO CONVERT, you can e-mail us your order ID and you will get a registration code for free with WinMPG Ipod Convert.WinMPG Video Convert is also a avi converter, mov converter, rmvb converter, wmv-converer, 3gp-converter, mp4-converter, swf converter.
Search it at http://www.google.com or get it here
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jfjb said 10:50AM on 9-08-2008

is this a blog site or an advertising-supported web site losing bloggers' support and interest?

Matt Taylor said 11:19AM on 9-08-2008

DVD Decrypter is still the best DVD-ripping application, all these years later. Nothing else is as configurable, especially in conjunction with DVD Rebuilder Pro for any re-encoding, DVDFab HD Decrypter for dumping VIDEO_TS folders from DVDs with newer/unusual encryption, and MeGUI for transcoding.

James said 12:19PM on 9-08-2008

Handbrake is the absolute best converter after you get through DVDDecrypter -- I use the PS3 preset and have yet to find a place it won't play. Quality is great (if you tinker with e.g. deinterlacing a bit), and it's relatively fast too. I really like that they let you queue up a bunch of conversions so you can walk away for a couple hours/days.

CT A said 11:45AM on 9-08-2008

Anyone know a good dvd burning program for AVI & MKV?

Ryan said 2:59PM on 9-08-2008

DVD Decrypter can do "a complete copy of a disc right down to the menus, alternate audio tracks, and special features", and it's FREE...and it doesn't slap you in the face with a drm.

Nice one Real, your interface even reminds me of DVD Decrypter.

What's next, a legal torrent service hosted by a service such as Real, called The DRM Bay? Might as well go that far.

Same old, again. The tools for copying multimedia are FAR too mainstream for any decent amount of people to bother with services..that splatter DRMs all over your content. Will this never be learned?

I know, that as well as inforcing laws, the producers also do this to keep their investors/CEOs feeling happy and safe...but seriously, its only doing more bad than good...when it's most obviously the money that matters the most.

Bill said 5:25PM on 9-12-2008

I have used decrypter but newer movies do not copy. Is there an updated version? Thanks.

LL said 11:43AM on 10-03-2008

DRM download http://www.locklizard.com

Freatinssbus said 8:36AM on 10-07-2008

You can try the most powerful and easy to use DVD ripping software that helps you rip DVD freely with 1:1 quality. With this best DVD Ripper software, you can easily rip DVD freely to AVI, MP4, AVI, WMV, MOV, MPG, MPEG, 3GP, 3GPP, MPG, ASF, FLV, VOB, WMA, M4A, MP3, etc. with super fast speed. With this best DVD Ripper software you can put your DVD movie on iPod, iPhone, PSP, Zune, Archos, cell phone, etc. perfectly. It is the best DVD Ripper for you to choose among all DVD ripper software. You can free download the best DVD Ripper to rip DVD freely now!
http://www.freedvdripper.org/

sundaymicky said 8:36AM on 10-07-2008

I heard that iTunes has DRM protection and must need software.

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