Shortly after Speed Racer was released on blu-ray, a small hubbub ensued as Warner Bros's ballyhooed Digital Copy packaging promise was found to be a lie for Mac users. The sticker on the outside of the box clearly states that the blu-ray version comes with a DVD version that is iTunes-compatible... it even lists OSX system requirements.
Then, on the inside of the box, the Digital Copy info sheet categorically states that the downloadable copy will not work on Macs or iPods. Not even on Windows iPods? Way to sidestep 90% of the portable movie player market, numbnuts.
What is supposed to happen is that you pop in the Digital Copy DVD, and once that has been verified via some Nintendo Friend Code-esque system, you're allowed to transfer a digital version of Speed Racer to your drive. There is some silly Windows app on the DVD that will run this download, and you're supposed to be able to choose a compatible format for either iTunes or Windows Media.
Putting the Digital Copy DVD in a Mac just gets you playback of a warning message... and there is no Mac software on there to make the transfer. And with my iMac (or any Mac) lacking a blu-ray drive, there's no way for me to use less-than-legal means to rip the film off the blu-ray and into iTunes.
Well, I'm a sucker for punishment, so I bravely sent a tech support request via WB's Digital Copy webpage...
September 22, 2008I purchased Speed Racer on blu-ray partially due to the sticker on the front of the case that promised a digital copy available for both Mac and Windows machines. But the insert inside said that the digital copy does not work on Mac or iTunes or iPods. Please explain this disparity. As I bought the blu-ray edition, this means I have no way to enjoy this movie on my DVD-enabled Mac.
I fully expected zero reply. But within two weeks by Yahoo Mail account received this gem:
October 3, 2008Hello,
Please direct iTunes-related inquiries to Apple support, via the following page on their website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1539
Apple support is responsible for all iTunes-related issues.Thanks!
DIGITAL COPY SUPPORT
What? You see what happened there? Their email robots sensed the word "iTunes" are fired off a sub-standard standard reply. And it took them two weeks to do it.
So now I'm peeved:
October 3, 2008With respect, this is not an Apple/iTunes issue. This is about your product promising Apple/iTunes compatibility on the outside of the package and then stating Apple/iTunes INcompatibility on the inside of the package. This is blatant false advertising and not something that can be blamed on Apple. If my box of Apple Jacks actually contains apples, do I take the issue up with the orchard or the cereal company?
If your Digital Copy feature is not available for Apple Macintosh computers, then you ought to not state the exact opposite on the packaging.
Given that the sticker on the packaging played a role in my decision to purchase your movie on blu-ray, I'd like some kind of equivalent compensation.
In retrospect, my cereal analogy was poorly chosen. If a box of Apple Jacks actually contained real apples, that would probably be a benefit, not a disappointing surprise. Also, why did I go with more uses of the word "Apple"? It's like I'm taunting the robots.
I'm trying to drive home the point that their packaging is a lie, and that said packaging was partially why I bought the movie. Which is true. I mean, obviously I wanted Speed Racer in high-def, but I also marched out of Target secure in the tragically misguided motion that Clark would also be able to enjoy Speed Racer in the back of the car on an iPod.
Now the readin' robots switched over to the "User Can't Figure Out Basic Windows Apps" tact. In their defense, this is probably a fairly common issue.
October 6, 2008Hello,
Sorry to hear that you are having problems. The Movie includes both a Windows Media and an iTunes digital copy option. You should be presented with the choice of which one to copy when you run the software provided on the bonus disc. Please let us know if you have any further issues.
Thanks!
DIGITAL COPY SUPPORT
Bringing up the software proves they're not paying attention.
October 6, 2008The movie Speed Racer on blu-ray does not have a Mac/iTunes option. In fact, the insert on the inside specifically states that the digital copy is not compatible with Apple computers and iPods, despite what the sticker says on the front of the box where it lists minimum system requirements and promises compatibility with Macs/iTunes.
Additionally, there is NO Mac software on the digital copy disk. Only a Windows version. Again, this is in direct odds with the promise on the front of the package.
You're working pretty hard to avoid admitting that your packaging was a mistake and you have committed false advertising. Again, given that the sticker on the packaging played a role in my decision to purchase your movie on blu-ray, I'd like some kind of equivalent compensation.
It's been almost a month since I banged out that little retort... and no reply from Warner Bros Digital Copy Support. It's safe to assume they consider the matter closed. Maybe they employed a strike force to go pull those generic stickers off the outside of the Speed Racer box.
You know, it's not like I'm expecting something that wasn't there in the first place. By virtue of a sticker, I was promised a digital copy of Speed Racer. Wouldn't it be great if companies had actual humans reading their email and had some kind of fallback to keep consumers happy?
I guess I should find somebody with Windows to get the file for me, hope that the "iTunes version" actually works in iTunes and can then be straight ported over to my iTunes.
Though if e-mails were actually read by humans at these companies then we wouldn't be living in a world frighteningly similar to that of the movie "Brazil". ^_^