I NEVER HAD a use of them as with others i never understood why someone would sit and watch a movie on an ipod screen....then the new gym i join has a million frikkin screens all playing soap operas during the day when i go...so now ill just just put on a movie to "watch" as i work out as i cant listen to music as i do the treadmill

I dont think you all are neccesarily complaining about getting the Digital Copy. Its that 2 discs are being 2 discs because of the Digital Copy right? I'm fine with Digital Copies, as long as extras are still around (like Live Free or Die Hard did). However, I personally would rather rip the dvd to my ipod then use the digital copy

I also don't have a problem with digital copies if done right. I only have a few, Live Free or Die Hard, I Am Legend, Resident Evil Extinction, American Gangster, and now Rambo. I haven't downloaded Gangster or Rambo yet, but those that have it as a code to download it off the net are much better than simply putting it on a disc. I like the extras on the second disc, hence why I almost always go for the 2-disc edition instead of the single. I have a computer hooked up to my tv, and I like the idea of simply clicking the mouse to watch a show. I know for some, you "back up" your dvds, but I haven't gone that route yet. I do see a problem with the codes though, because once they are used, you can't load the movie up to another computer (even if it is the same computer). I'm going to be backing up my hard-drive, so hopefully I'll never have to worry about losing any content on the drive. I also hate that you only have a limited amount of time to download it, and then the code and/or website link is no good anymore. If they would spend some time and thought into it, they could have the code registered to a specific user, with a password, and it could be downloaded again if need be (computer crash, or upgrading to a newer computer). I still haven't joined in on the whole Ipod Video bandwagon, but my daughter has been buggin, and I'm sure if I get her one, she'll be wanting to watch some movies on it during road trips and such. It's not that bad an idea, it just needs to be improved upon and not piss off dvd collectors by essentially creating a nice dvd coaster once the movie has been downloaded.

Consumers who are savvy with electronics already know how to transfer their DVDs to portable devices without a DRM-hobbled extra disc that costs $5.

True. But the method to do so that is compliant with both the DMCA and "Fair Use" is a bit time consuming and inconvenient.

Done right (ie. no DRM, alternate encodings, price, etc.) digital copies have a place IMO.

That, from the guy who shot his last 3-hour movie on the cruddiest of cruddy standard-def DV because he stopped caring what his movies looked like anymore. Frankly, Inland Empire is unwatchable on any screen larger than 3 inches.

I wouldn't ever make a portable version of a movie my primary viewing experience, but having recently taken an 8-hour plane trip to Europe and back, loading up my iPod Touch with movies was a lifesaver.

I don't get the point of sticking this file on a DVD. We have a code, just let us download.

My opinion is that they give us "Digital Copies" is to make the masses think that they can't make digital copies of their own. Much like how the recording industry came out with "special" DVD-Rs that said they were designed specifically for music.

As some people have mentioned, I just thing it's ludicrous that the studios are wasting an entire disc for a digital copy? Why can't this be done like Live Free or Die Hard, which was a download, so that we can at least have some more bonus content/documentaries on disc 2? So essentially they are storing the digital copy onto an entire disc and the secret code unlocks it? That's moronic IMO. Or why can't the digital copy be a bonus download off disc 1 if the movie doesn't warrant a 2-disc release?

I know they are giving the consumer options, but I see a problem here when a release like Rambo has 0 bonus features on the single disc release and you need to spend $8-10 more on the 2-disc edition with bonus features on the 1st disc and the damn digital copy on the 2nd disc. That to me seems like the studios are forcing the digital copy down your throat for those of us who like bonus material. For Rambo, it's almost like your paying $20 something for a 1 disc release and something you don't need.

not to sidetrack this thread, but wrong, so so wrong on so many levels but as The Dude says... Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

Yeah, these digital copy discs are pointless. If I want to watch a movie on my PC/ipod, I can easily rip any dvd I have and do so with minimal effort, no "digital copy" necessary. It's just bad marketing.

Loading the file from a disc is much faster than downloading from the internet. It also allows you to keep a hard copy if your computer crashes.

The digital copy on "Live Free or Die Hard" was not a download. The portable version was on Disc 2.

I don't know if you have the first three Rambo movies, but if you don't you can get the Rambo Tin Set from Deep Discount right now for $27.91 shipped. Use the Promo code "DVDTALK" to get 20% off. I think the code is good 'til 6/22. The 2-disc one is going for $19.90 shipped. I also agree with you on the whole 2-disc coaster deal.

It's simply another way to raise profit margins on dvds and promoted as this great feature that most will never employ, especially considering dvd sales have been declining over the past few years. If the 2nd disc only has a digital copy on it, or a couple of extras that could have fit on the 1st disc without compromising the bitrate, then this point is especially true.

It's a bad thing because under fair use you already have the right to make a personal copy of something you own. The only reason it's illegal to rip a DVD is because breaking the copy protection is a DMCA violation. So in effect, the movie industry is screwing you over while making it look like they're doing you this huge favor. It's disgusting.

Again, I really don't mind having a Digital copy, it's having a Coaster Disc after. I want the special features on the second disc and leave the bitrate on the film to it's max of 480p or 480i. I know they have to compress the film alittle just to fit what they can. As I said before, thanks to everyone who has given their two cent in this matter. Keep them coming..

I totally agree. If you're giving me 2 DVD's, why squish the movie on disc 1 so you can fit all the extras on that same disc?!?! I don't want the Digital copy - I want the special features!!

My question is, when the release a 1 disc, featureless DVD and a 2-disc SE with Digital copy, is the quality of the movie on the single disc release better? Or is there just a bunch of unused space?

In a case like that, generally Disc 1 will be identical between the two sets. There's no point in re-authoring the disc if it's going to contain identical content.

But, Josh that's the problem. The studios are now releasing a 1 disc with no special features, just film and a 2-disc with Disc 1 having the film and special features and Disc 2 only the Digital Coaster Copy. They are not the same. The collector's are being push to buy the 2-disc even though it's actually a one disc with features.

:up:

Most likely, the encoding of the movie on the 1-disc edition is identical to that on the 2-disc edition. They just left the extra space (filled by bonus features on the other set) empty.

If you don't care about the bonus features or the Digital Copy, buy the single-disc version.

So the studios are going to start pressing two different versions of the 1st disc, one with extra features and one without...with the disc with extras only available in the two disc set (w/digital copy only on the 2nd disc), I'll stick to the one disc version. I usually have purchased the version with extras features, but this new tactic stinks.

I understand the studios are trying to reverse their declining profit margins, but the savvy dvd buyer, one would hope, would wise up.

While I agree that it is a marketing cheat, this is not something newly introduced due to Digital Copy. Look at Paramount, who issued two versions of 'Into the Wild' on DVD: a movie-only disc and a more expensive 2-disc "Special Edition" that had exactly 2 featurettes (40 minutes total) on the second disc. They could have easily fit everything on the one disc if they'd wanted, but then they couldn't have charged extra for the SE.

So, I just took a look at my new RAMBO Collector's Set - guess what the entire contents of Disc #5 are?! NOTHING except the Digital F***ING copy, which I don't want, don't need and will never use. Seems that this "marketing" tactic has become suddenly quite popular since they did it firstly (I think) on Die Hard 4. I'm already tired of it and disgusted with it!