As far as I know, the iPad cannot presently playback a full length movie from a DVD or any other source. Are there any plans to add such a capability to the iPad in the future?

Question

As far as I know, the iPad cannot presently playback a full length movie from a DVD or any other source.  Are there any plans to add such a capability to the iPad in the future?

Answer 1

alvwill wrote:
Phil0124:  Sorry, I guess that I may not have communicated clearly initially.  The reason that I asked about the DVD reading capability in the first place is that I would like to be able to watch a movie "stand-alone" (like on an airplane) on my iPad without having an internet connection.  If VUDU is strickly a streaming service that wouldn't satisfy my needs after all.  After looking into the iTunes store offerings, I can see that I can either purchase a movie or rent one from them.  Either way, as I understand it, the content would then reside in a file in the iTunes folder in my computer (if rented, this would just be temporarily) and could be viewed on my computer and/or transferred to my iPad for viewing.  Considering the legal question, isn't there a copy being made and transferred into my possession.  So,what's up with that?
Yes Vudu streams. iTunes does not. If you buy or rent a movie on your computer through the iTunes store, then you are legally entitled to transfer that movie to your digital device as long as that device is under the Same Apple ID used to download it to the computer, and is authorized to view the content. Usually this is the case if your device is synced with iTunes on the computer  This is legal and covered by the terms of use of the iTunes store.   
If your rent a movie on your computer you can also transfer it to your iPad but it will be removed from the computer as rentals can only exist in one place at a time. When the rental period expires the movie will be automatically removed from your computer or device, wherever it is when the rental period expires.
If you buy a movie on your iPad these can be transferred to your computer using the Transfer Purchases button on iTunes on your computer while the iPad is connected to it.   Rentals on iPads or other mobile device cannot be transferred and must be watched in the iPad or device that download them.
All of these methods through the iTunes store download the complete movie to the device or computer, so no internet connection is required for watching at a later date.
Rentals have a 30 day life as long as they haven't begun to be watched.  Once the movie has been started then it has a 48 hour expiry period. That is you must finish watching the rented movei within 48 hours of rental as after that it is removed from the device.  You can watch it as many times as you want in that period of time though.
iTunes Store: Movie rental frequently asked questions (FAQ)
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1657
How to rent a movie from the iTunes Store on your computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1390
Purchased movies are yours, and never expire. If you delete the movie from your device or computer it can be re-downloaded at no extra cost provided the Movie is still available in the store.