Digital copies of DVDs tested by Wal-Mart, Sony

According to Video Business, Wal-Mart has been exclusively offering six Sony catalog titles that come loaded with a digital copy for playback on the PSP, PS3 and the PC. "The embedded copies-within Blood & Chocolate, Bobby Z, The Contractor, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and Wind Chill-all expire within three to six months of going on sale at Wal-Mart."

There is a similar program that's being considered for Blu-ray movies. These DVD/BD movies include a file that's compatible with the PSP: simply drag and drop a file from the disc onto a connected PSP system.

"We are testing the whole concept right now," said Lexine Wong, Sony senior executive VP of worldwide marketing. "There are space requirements to include files, so we're choosing titles that don't feature a lot of bonus features [in order to fit copies]. Also, we're choosing titles that would resonate with customers that like PSP, with [action] titles like Diamond Dogs and Hero Wanted."

A Wal-Mart exclusive version of Resident Evil Apocalypse also featured a PSP transfer: over 30,000 people copied the movies to their PSP systems. With figures like that, it shouldn't be surprising to see this program expand.

[Via MAXCONSOLE]