"So Digital Copy files may not be HD, but they are a feature a lot of us Blu-ray consumers use to take our movies where it's not convenient to bring a Blu-ray player. Sharing a movie at a friend's house who doesn't have HD or watching it on the hotel TV with the iPhone and a composite cable are two great uses for Digital Copy that some of us find convenient. While not an essential feature, it's handy for some of us. However, it seems that Warner Bros. didn't get the memo when they jumped on this bandwagon. Their Digital Copies aren't compatible with the iPod or iPhone- the devices that are spearheading this media-on-the-go craze. Furthermore, they don't even do what they're advertised to do. Check this out:

http://www.tuaw.com/2008/09/19/speed-racer-digital-copy-not-itunes-friendly/

"Sam, an avid TUAW reader, emailed us about a recent DVD purchase he made. You may ask, "what's so special about that?" Well, he bought a copy of Speed Racer that was supposed to contain an iTunes Digital Copy.

As you can see in the pictures he emailed us, the outside of the DVD box says it is PC/Mac compatible and works with iTunes. When he got home and opened it up, however, inside the box it says that it is "Not compatible with Apple Macintosh or iPod devices." He even tried it to see if it would work, but alas it didn't. Be sure to take a look at the pictures in the second half of the post, and you can get an eyeful of this strange decision that Warner Bros. made.

Do you think Sam should be able to get a refund for this mistake?"

So I'll be offering my digital copy to a friend with a PC, and WB will loose a sale :D

How will your offering the copy to a friend create a sale for WB? If your friend buys the disc after he/she watches the copy, I guess it would, yes.

What's the resolution of a "digital copy" anyway? Is it OAR at least? Xylon should do a comparison. :D

The digital copy actually contains M.Bay's version of Transformers.:D

What's the resolution of a "digital copy" anyway? Is it OAR at least? Xylon should do a comparison. :D

Usually they are 640 pixels wide, and the height depends on the aspect ratio, because they are OAR.

This is why WB is pushing Digital Distribution. I believe that is where they want to play...

http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq134/avpallino/HMMWarner.jpg

If you read my original post, you would realize I'm not criticizing Warner Bros. for including a digital copy in its recent releases, just questioning why they would not allow those digital copies to be iPod or iPhone compatible, and then advertise that they are.

If you read my original post, you would realize I'm not criticizing Warner Bros. for including a digital copy in its recent releases, just questioning why they would not allow those digital copies to be iPod or iPhone compatible, and then advertise that they are.

Sorry for my misunderstanding. I would guess it has more to do with Apple, who wants you to buy the digital copies from itunes or rent the HD version from Apple TV. Apparently, Warner and Disney are the biggest sellers for Apple TV/itunes.

So, this may be an Apple more than WB issue.

Funny, because Disney, Fox, MGM, and Lionsgate's digital copies all work with iTunes and iPod/iPhone flawlessly.

Funny, because Disney, Fox, MGM, and Lionsgate's digital copies all work with iTunes and iPod/iPhone flawlessly.

Interesting. So it isn't Apple that is limiting this feature. Disney has a very close relationship with Apple and without Disney their itunes movie business probably would not have taken off. But recently, Warner has added a ton of content. So I am at a loss here....

I think they hadn't come to an agreement with Apple yet. This is different from having Warner content on the iTunes store, because there they're selling the movies and shows, while this is a bonus feature with a DVD/BD and would be a different deal.

The packaging may have been made assuming the agreement would be done in time. The Matrix is supposed to have an iPod-compatible digital copy, so we'll see if that pans out (well, those of you who are interested in digital copies can check.)

Interesting. So it isn't Apple that is limiting this feature. Disney has a very close relationship with Apple and without Disney their itunes movie business probably would not have taken off. But recently, Warner has added a ton of content. So I am at a loss here....

For the first time, Apple licensed their Fairplay DRM to third party such as Fox, Lionsgate, Disney, etc. This was to allow those studios to bundle a digital copy DVD that will allow the original owner to import the movie into their iTunes on a PC or Mac and let that file be synced to AppleTV/iPod/iPhone etc.

There is also the Microsoft version of digital copy with Microsoft DRM which is not available for mac. I bet Warner uses the Microsoft version and someone in their packaging dept did not know this!!

There is also the Microsoft version of digital copy with Microsoft DRM which is not available for mac. I bet Warner uses the Microsoft version and someone in their packaging dept did not know this!!

That's what it sounds like happened to me.

Warner Bros iTunes form (http://digitalcopy.warnerbros.com/support/speedracer_form.aspx) for redeeming Speed Racer in iPod / Mac friendly format. It seems they have gotten a solution for those wanting Speed Racer now.