Strathfield advertising XMS888 as player to play Downloaded movies, help or hinder?

[Peterpack]

I saw in a very new Strathfield ad , them advertising the XMS 888 as a player which can play "downloaded movies"

Does associating DIVX players with playing perceived 'pirate' movies help the market ?

[jokiin]

I saw in a very new Strathfield ad , them advertising the XMS 888 as a player which can play "downloaded movies"

Does associating DIVX players with playing perceived 'pirate' movies help the market ?

There are movies available that are free that fall into this category, is it any different to a DVD player that plays vcd's, where do all the vcd's come from? I don't think it has a negative impact on the perception of divx, mpeg 4 in general.

[Peterpack]

Hey mate

i do think there is quite a bit of difference, yes we all know all players are used for bootleg DVDs, VCDs etc

But, there are millions and millions of legit VCDs, in Asia especially, all legit (yes sure there are bootlegs too but still many originals)

There is no such thing as a legit DIVX movie, you can't buy one anywhere! Therefore DIVX movies have to be downloaded or created from a legit source

I think there lies the difference

[jokiin]

DIVX movies have to be downloaded or created from a legit source


You can create divx movies of your home movies which is quite legit, the fact that the bulk of people have files that are from other sources does not mean that the format should be restricted from legitimate uses does it?

[Peterpack]

mate, i am definitely not arguing about the merits of the player, they rock!

I am just arguing about the method of advertising Strathfield used

they didn't say "Play divx backups of your own home movies"

they clearly used the phrase "downloaded movies" which does straight away imply piracy, no two ways about it. And cmon, free legit downloadable movies on the web ? that would make up 0.00000001% of all downloaded movies !

I just do not think it was the most appropriate phrasing for an ad for this awesome player

[redbears]

You can create divx movies of your home movies which is quite legit, the fact that the bulk of people have files that are from other sources does not mean that the format should be restricted from legitimate uses does it?

Are you sure about that? I didn't think copywrite laws allow this. I am sure I read somewhere you can't back up your DVD's for any reason. I think the law is different for music CD's, but I could be wrong.

Maybe something that could be looked up on the net, wouldn't mind knowing for sure.

[andw]

Um I think he actually means 'home movies' - i.e. off your own video camera of your kids and dog and stuff like that.

[jokiin]

Um I think he actually means 'home movies' - i.e. off your own video camera of your kids and dog and stuff like that.

Yes I was referring to real home movies, not movies that you download at home (I'm sure that wouldn't count as home movies :) )

[andw]

I believe that the latest I saw from the 'copyright council' in Australia is that it is still illegal to tape ANYTHING even with your VCR off the TV unless you have written permission. see http://www.copyright.org.au/PDF/InfoSheets/G025.pdf
Obviously EVERYBODY (well at least 99%) in Australia violates this (even the judge that is presiding over you if it ever went to court I would imagine).
(except genuine 'home movies' i.e. of the dog catching a frisbee - but don't give a copy to your friend, unless you supply him with written permission for him to have it ;-) )
oh, and http://www.copyright.org.au/PDF/InfoSheets/G026.pdf

[jokiin]

mate, i am definitely not arguing about the merits of the player, they rock!

I am just arguing about the method of advertising Strathfield used

they didn't say "Play divx backups of your own home movies"

they clearly used the phrase "downloaded movies" which does straight away imply piracy, no two ways about it. And cmon, free legit downloadable movies on the web ? that would make up 0.00000001% of all downloaded movies !

I just do not think it was the most appropriate phrasing for an ad for this awesome player

There are free movies out there, and pay per view also, the point is they exist. The main thing is that the format gets promoted, if you want to wait for it to take off via word of mouth how long might it take, the more the format is promoted the more manufacturers will sit up and take notice and put more effort into their players.

[andw]

So, to take it to it's natural progression, Harvey Norman / Myer / Retra-Vision / K-mart etc etc should not be allowed to say that you can tape tv shows using the VCR's that they sell.
I remeber many years ago, when 'Sale-of-the-Century' was on, when they first started showing off VCR's as prizes, they used to have a caption that said "subject to copyright law" or words to that affect when they were showing you the wonderful features that it had.
Seen anyone put this on VCR adds in a long time?

[jokiin]

Interesting product coming up from plextor that might help the format along

http://www.plextor.com/english/products/ConvertX2.htm

[davidf]

they clearly used the phrase "downloaded movies" which does straight away imply piracy, no two ways about it. And cmon, free legit downloadable movies on the web ? that would make up 0.00000001% of all downloaded movies !

I just do not think it was the most appropriate phrasing for an ad for this awesome player

Hollywood is definitely embracing the mpeg4 format ( hey they play a big part in the motion picture group). Games producers, independant film makers, corporate promotion, ad infinitum. Use of MP4 to advertise games, movies and all sorts of online advertising is very obvious on the net. Unfortunately everything that has a good purpose will always be corrupted, the internet is flooded with porn does that mean we should close the internet down or is an ISP promoting the internet as a useful tool lying thru his teeth ?. Its a big world and as my ex used to say what has a topless blonde on the bonnet of a mercedes got to do with car sales, simple answer marketing :)

U can take the advertising anyway you please, that includes the definition of the word movie (moving pictures with speech), I bet u a bunch of corporate lawyers would ask you to show just where implied piracy comes into play.

[davidf]

I forgot one really basic thing, MP4 was the standard ratified for internet video streaming therefore one would expect that the bulk of mp4 material would come from its intended environment(internet). So far the only way I can get anything from the internet is to download it and lo and behold strathfield are telling me I don't have to be restricted to my computer to view this medium, yeehah.

[Jack Tan]

Hey mate

i do think there is quite a bit of difference, yes we all know all players are used for bootleg DVDs, VCDs etc

But, there are millions and millions of legit VCDs, in Asia especially, all legit (yes sure there are bootlegs too but still many originals)

There is no such thing as a legit DIVX movie, you can't buy one anywhere! Therefore DIVX movies have to be downloaded or created from a legit source

I think there lies the difference

Peterpack, I think that is a slight inaccuracy in what you are saying. There are MPEG-4 content providers that are slowly coming up in the world although youc ant buy it off the shelf. Content providers partner up with hollywood studios such as universal or columbia with legal rights to stream or download the movie to your pc, then however terminating the file after 48 hours or whatever. Actually, there is a Asian based company opening in Australia soon. Cant remember the name though.