Reeltime Boasts First Download-to-Own Movie Service

By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews

Hot on the heels of Wal-Mart’s announcement about video downloads comes another service … this one from Australia. Reeltime’s Download-to-Own service, launching today, will allow you to legally burn copies onto DVDs to play in a standalone player.

DVD files are proprietary compressed versions of an actual VOB format, which when downloaded and burned, Reeltime’s software will automatically decompress the files onto DVD which can then be viewed on a standalone DVD player. The only drawback with the file is that it must be burned onto a DVD disc within 30 days from the date of download. Customers are able to download WMV files anytime they wish as long as they have a proof of previous purchase. Source: DailyTech

We Say: Drawbacks include having the use their software to decompress the files, and it seems to be Windows Only for now … I’m wondering (out loud) if the compression will affect the quality of the final product. It seems while you only have 30 days to burn the product, you should be able to make multiple copies during that time, for safekeeping, or perhaps even burn a copy of the final DVD later.