Film downloads to DVD debut
CinemaNow offers over 100 movies as it tests security
LOS ANGELES -- CinemaNow Inc. will sell movies for downloading and viewing on standard DVD players, marking a first for mainstream films bought over the Internet.
The ``Burn to DVD" service was to debut today with more than 100 movies, including ``Scent of a Woman," ``About a Boy," and ``Barbershop."
``Our customers will experience a true innovation in home entertainment, the ability to obtain a DVD in the comfort of their living room," said Curt Marvis, CinemaNow's chief executive.
Hollywood studios have been reluctant to offer movies for at-home DVD copying because of piracy concerns. But the development of more secure technology has eased those fears.
CinemaNow said studios initially licensed a limited number of films. ``It's a test of the distribution and the security architecture," said Benjamin Feingold, president of Sony's home entertainment division.
Hollywood is looking toward digital distribution as a way to generate revenue amid rising manufacturing and retail costs.
Said Josh Bernoff of Forrester Research: ``It has some challenges, but it's a much cheaper way to distribute content."
Consumers can transfer only one copy of a movie to a DVD. They also can view the film on a computer.
