321 Studios will release DVD transcoding tool, DVDxCopy Express
Posted by Jan Willem on 24 April 2003 - 18:07 - Source: CDFreaks.com
321 Studios, the company that is currently fighting against the Hollywood studios to allow home users to make backups of their DVD movies, will now also release an express version of their famous DVDxCopy software , dubbed DVDxCopy XPRESS. According to 321 Studios, the software will be able to create a backup of a DVD-9 movie to a DVD-5 disc in about 30 minutes with one click. This includes reading the DVD, compressing (transcoding) the movie and burning the movie. The backup will include only the movie, no menus or special features, all inclusive.
The burning engine has been bought from a well known company (we are not allowed to publish which one yet) and promises high compatibility with DVD players. DVDxCopy Express will be available in the retail market for USD 69.99 and will be introduced with a USD 20,00 mail in rebate.
321 Studios has also announced it will raise the price of DVDxCopy to USD 129,99 but there will be a instant rebate along with a mail in rebate so for 99.99, you will receive DVDxCopy and a free copy of DVDxCopy XPRESS.
Many customers are concerned what happens when they have bought these products and 321 Studios will lose the upcoming lawsuit. We asked him if they would start to sell their products without DVD reading capabilites; "of course that would be an option, says Mr Moore CEO of 321 Studios, but there are many countries (like Australia) that have DMCA like laws but now recognize the consumers right to make backup copies of their digital property". As he continues; " A loss in the U.S. might mean nothing more than a re-evaluation of our business practice in the U.S. only!"
Of course when in a lawsuit there are always chances to lose, we asked mr Moore what he would be facing; "I don't know. This is only a civil trial, so there are no criminal allegations with the current state of legal affairs. However, who knows what they might do. I guess they could decide to throw me in jail. But that might be a huge mistake on their part."
If you want to support 321 Studios in their fight for fair use then visit their fair use website, or buy DVDxCopy .
