OK Apple, time to step up!
As pointed out last week Real Networks now has a legal DVD copying solution. So where is Apple on iTunes DVD ripping? This would be a benefit to the consumer and to Apple; because, they [Apple] could not only drive sales in the same why they do with music, you give the consumer an easy option with media they already own. I get the idea behind not doing it: they want to drive sales of the video store, but if the move to HD and digitally distributed media has shown one thing its people hate to double dip. It’s one thing to ask someone to pay $9.99 for music(a tape or an LP, you know records they made them) they have owned for years VS 9.99 to 14.99 for an SD download of a movie they most likely bought for less. Apple is obviously trying to get a lock on the video market with the AppleTV, iPods, and the video store. By adding in video ripping, much in the way they did with audio, you will drive sales of device and content. So come on Apple give us what we want, an easy and legal way to rip DVDs we already own to iTunes.
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Comments
IMHO, iTunes needs a retune… It’s become too unwieldy and needs to be simplified, not loaded up with more functions. And it’s not like we’re lacking good 3rd party tools.
I say, let Real Networks play in this sandbox… 
I agree, I also think it will force the studio’s hands to release more movies to Apple. Unfortunately I am not sure this is a game Apple is willing to pay as the studios will pull the movies they have and wait an see who blinks first. Same as NBC deal.
As I said in the other post, while simple DVD ripping is simple, the big issue is the separate copy protection added by the various labels, which is why things like MacTheRipper and AnyDVD have to keep being updated…and unless Apple can strike a deal with every company to get the code to undo their special copy protection, here we’re definitely in DMCA territory.
My prediction…when people actually get their hands on Real’s ripper…they will be shocked at how few DVDs it works on.