DVD Jon Creates DRM Killer

Firmafest writes to let us know that 'DVD Jon' Lech Johansen's company has released an open beta of DoubleTwist, a desktop application that allows the user to copy media to any device. There's a Facebook app too. The software is available for download at Doubletwistventures.com. Currently only Windows is supported, but a Macintosh version is on the way.

Re:Oh really

[Zebraheaded]

Yes. From the article.

The software automatically plays the song files in the background (sans volume) and re-records them as MP3 files so they can be transferred to any device. Note: DoubleTwist only does this for songs you own or are authorized to play in iTunes.

Supported Formants

[milsoRgen]

Supported Media Formats

Video: 3gp (used by most cell phones), MPEG4 (.mp4, .m4v), wmv, avi and MPEG2 (.mpg, .mpv, .mpeg) Audio: mp3, aac/m4a, wma, wav Pictures: jpg, gif, png, bmp

Setup Wants an E-Mail Address

[Anonymous Coward]

On a whim, I tried installing this. Once the setup is complete, it wants my e-mail address to create an "account" for me... and it installs a couple of other programs I didn't agree to. Sorry, not interested - deleted.

It Required MSdotNET

[Soloact]

Went to give this a try. Upon starting the installation, the application required MS' dotNET and started to download it. That's when I hit the CANCEL. Don't want that dotNET on my computer at all.

Re:Setup Wants an E-Mail Address

[d3ac0n]

Looks like this is an "Online Only" program. Basically, if you don't have an account to sign into, it doesn't work. It is NOT a standalone application, but a networked application.

Looks to me like they are trying to create another Kazaa or Napster.

Too bad. It seemed much nicer when I thought it was a standalone. I have no interest in running yet another networked application just to gain access to what should be a standalone function.

Excuse me, I have to go uninstall this now.

Re:Oh really

[Anonymous Coward]

JHymn has been broken for years. There are a number of recent developments (MyFairTunes, ffh, Requiem) which do the same job, though.

Quotable Quotes

[milsoRgen]

The EULA [doubletwist.no]
The Privacy Policy [doubletwist.no]
The Terms of Service [doubletwist.no]

Quotable Quotes

Please note that this Privacy Statement is not a binding contract and does not create any legal rights. It is made available to you so that you can make an informed decision about using the doubleTwist website and services after considering the steps doubleTwist takes to protect your private personal information

doubleTwist" means the SpiceFlow Corporation, a company incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands, having its registered office at PO Box 309GT, M&C Corporate Services Limited, Ugland House, South Church St, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and any SpiceFlow Corporation subsidiaries or affiliated companies.

You acknowledge and agree that doubleTwist, in its sole discretion, may modify or discontinue or suspend Your ability to use any version of the doubleTwist Software, and/or disable any doubleTwist Software You may already have accessed or installed without any notice to You, for the repair, improvement, and/or upgrade of the underlying technology or for any other justifiable reason...

We may use Personal Data to: provide services and customer support You request; resolve disputes, collect fees, and troubleshoot problems; enforce our Terms of Service; customize, measure, and improve doubleTwist Software, VoIP Service and Website content and layout; inform You about targeted marketing, service updates, and promotional offers (unless You opt out)

Re:Setup Wants an E-Mail Address

[d3ac0n]

ffdshow is just a media codec. Nothing to worry about there. I already had it since I have the Matroska community pack installed on my machine.

Re:DMCA doesn't apply ourside USofA

[aitikin]

Too bad Doubletwist was founded in California in the "USofA" and, as such, is subject to DMCA, regardless of where its programmer's reside.

Re:DMCA doesn't apply ourside USofA

[unlametheweak]

From what I can gather from TFA the only thing that is happening with this technology is that it is merely making a copy of the analogue version of a song. With 64-bit computers that support hardware and software base Trusted Computing Platform, and the 64-bit versions of Windows which support TCP software and hardware, this application may become antiquated in the not to distant future.

Re:Oh really (Oh really?)

[yoblin]

Not true.. just convert to a non-lossy format like FLAC. You won't get quality better than the original AAC file, but you won't get any worse either...

Re:It Required MSdotNET

[pigsflew]

Because of the wonderful OpenSource folks who created Mono [mono-project.com].

Re:Does it really work this way???

[argent]

Decompressing does not cause a loss of quality. Recompressing in a lossy format may, but there are a variety of lossless formats you can use if you find that you can hear a difference (I can with some files, but not with most), or if you want to retain the option of recompressing the music with a different codec in the future.

Re:DMCA doesn't apply ourside USofA

[wvmarle]

Pardon? How does trusted computing plug the analogue hole, and what has 64 bits got to do with it?

One of the goals of TCP is to in fact "plug" the analogue hole. The idea being that hardware would be harder to crack than software, and the hardware thus helping the OS to police the software and policies set forth within, that designate user restrictions (such as copying).

There, fixed that for you.
Remember, DRM stands for Digital Restrictions Management. It doesn't give you any rights, it at most takes away some. DRM just adds restrictions.