I've been urging Hollywood to expand its download services to permit the burning of a DVD to play back on a TV. I'm fine with content protection, I just don't want to have to watch the movie on my computer. I have a new multimedia computer that has a DVD burner, and I can operate CinemaNow with a TV-style remote. Now The Associated Press reports CinemaNow is selling some movies with DVD-burning rights for playback anywhere, but they're, um... adult films. My DVD purchases tend to be for my kids; I guess I won't be using this service any time soon, as they don't need to see Shaving Ryan's Privates.

The article suggests I may have a long wait for downloadable movies I can burn; one thing Hollywood and the CE industry have in common is they want me to upgrade to a next-generation DVD player and TV. But I'm perfectly happy with my current video resolution and don't plan on investing in a new TV, DVD player, etc., until my current ones die -- after all, l have two kids approaching college. The Internet is a great distribution mechanism and it's here now; if a compromise is reached that allows secure recording of existing movies on DVD, and they're priced below store DVDs based on the reduction in distribution costs, I'll buy more; there are always movies on my potential "buy" list that don't get bought because of my personal price threshhold.

posted by Patrick Ross @ 12:45 PM | Markets: Business, Investment & Innovation

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