The ongoing legal battle between RealNetworks and Hollywood has taken an intriguing twist with the software company revealing that it plans to launch a DVD player with integrated hard drive, able to rip and store DVDs, within months.

The revolutionary recorder, dubbed Facet, was described by RealNetwork's CEO Rob Glaser as 'the successor to the current DVD player, a game-changing home entertainment system.'

Facet works much like an affordable version of Kaleidescape's high-end DVD server system (pictured right), which was deemed legal after a Californian court ruling last year. It fully supports CSS and employs additional copy protection to prevent illegal distribution of the copied discs.

While many DVD collectors might think it sounds like a neat idea, it will have to be ruled legal before it can go on sale. Bill Hankes, currently representing RealNetworks, says the decision to launch is 'entirely dependent upon the judge's ruling.'

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