UltraViolet Launched; Apple Streaming Movies Too?

10:30 AM - October 14, 2011 - By Kevin Parrish - Source : Reuters

As the UltraViolet format quietly makes its debut, there are rumors that Apple will launch a video streaming service of its own.

If you haven't seen the new TV commercials for the movies "Horrible Bosses" and "Green Lantern," they mention that not only are the flicks now available on DVD and Blu-ray, but via UltraViolet as well. The new digital format quietly made its debut on Tuesday, a format the Hollywood is hoping will resurrect the "failing home entertainment market."

So far only three UltraViolet movies will be released anytime soon which include the two previously mentioned and the last Harry Potter movie, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" on November 11. Sony's "The Smurfs" and "Friends With Benefits" are listed to arrive on December 2, and Universal's "Cowboys & Aliens" will arrive on Dec. 6. Paramount, Lionsgate and Fox are expected to offer UltraViolet movies in Q1 2012. So far Disney will not issue UltraViolet editions.

Unfortunately, there's a catch to the UltraViolet format: consumers will first need to purchase the DVD or Blu-ray disc before acquiring the UltraViolet version. By purchasing the physical media, consumers are essentially purchasing the rights to that copy, allowing them to unlock a digital version that can be streamed or downloaded to multiple devices like desktops, tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices. The digital file can even be burned to disc so that it can be watched on a DVD or Blu-ray player.

"When you buy 'Horrible Bosses' you will have a set of rights that far exceeds those that you had with the Blu-ray you bought yesterday," said Mark Teitell, general manager and executive director of the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem, the consortium behind UltraViolet.

At one time there were reports that UltraViolet would allow the consumer to scan in bar codes found on the outside of any DVD or Blu-ray movie boxes they already own to unlock the digital version. That may longer be in the cards for UltraViolet consumers, but eventually they will be able to buy digital rights to a movie through online retailers such as Wal-Mart's Vudu without having to purchase a physical copy.

But the current option still may not be ideal. As it stands now, digital versions unlocked by UltraViolet are only accessible for a year -- Warner Bros. is actually granting three years. So far there's no indication that the studios will renew their "lease" on the digital copies, and if they do, they reserve the right to levy additional service fees.

According to the UltraViolet consortium, a code will be available within the purchased DVD or Blu-ray box. Consumers then set up a free account on the UltraViolet website and enter the code. Movies and TV shows offered by Warner Bros. will be provided through Flixster, an Internet video service -- meaning consumers will also be required to create a Flixter account. Movies can be downloaded or kept in cloud storage for streaming to various devices. Five additional people can view UltraViolet movies (besides the account holder), and so far Android and iOS is not supported.

Meanwhile, rumors have resurfaced that Apple may bring video streaming to its iCloud service. The LA Times is the latest to rekindle the rumor fires, citing mysterious unnamed sources who say that Apple is currently negotiating with a number of movie studios. The service, slated for a late 2011 or early 2012 launch, is to supposedly rival Netflix and Amazon's LoveFilm subscription services for streaming movies and TV episodes. There's also talk that consumers will be able to purchase the movies and TV episodes outright just like they do now via iTunes, only the files can be streamed to their iOS device and PC/Mac in addition to downloading them locally.

"This is going to be a huge boost to a struggling online movie business," said Arash Amel, digital media research director for IHS. "Apple is going to make it work right off the bat."

The paper also cites sources who claim Apple is considering allowing people who purchase and store movies with Ultraviolet to watch their movies and TV shows on apps for iOS. However, movies purchased through Apple's new streaming service would continue to reside within the iTunes envelope, and cannot be transferred over to UltraViolet.

Comments

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Comments

beardguy 10/14/2011 4:52 PM

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This article is confusing. Why mention Apple when the entire thing is about UltraViolet?

Screw Apple for movies anyway, they expect me to pay $15 for a mobile version of a movie! What a joke.

beardguy 10/14/2011 4:55 PM

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On another note the UltraViolet idea is pretty cool. As long as I WONT be expected to pay a hefty price for the UltraViolet version of a Bluray disc or DVD vs. the normal version.

I can just see them charging $40 or some inflated price because you get the digital version as well. If not, hey this is a cool idea!

shloader 10/14/2011 5:01 PM

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Anyone remember DivX? You now... before it became a catchy name for a video codec. This format is going to flounder and die in the face of established streaming services. I realize this is a different approach where you supposedly own rather than rent but it has a similar feel.

masterasia 10/14/2011 5:27 PM

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Good idea, but I'll stick to Netflix and Redbox. I barely have time to watch movies any ways.

caedenv 10/14/2011 5:30 PM

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We do not want to buy physical media any more! Give us 1080+ resolution, uncompressed audio, let us pay for it online, and do not limit the devices we can watch it on.

If you insist then make us log in, or register devices, I do understand the anti-piracy need, just dont make it annoying or limiting. Also, we will not spend more than $20 for a movie.

igot1forya 10/14/2011 5:37 PM

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shloader :
Anyone remember DivX? You now... before it became a catchy name for a video codec. This format is going to flounder and die in the face of established streaming services. I realize this is a different approach where you supposedly own rather than rent but it has a similar feel.

Back in '99 when I worked at Circuit City those players were hard to sell to customers - so we cracked one open and found that you can pop out the CMOS battery and sure enough FREE rentals for life! They were much easier to sell to customers after found that out!

bunz_of_steel 10/14/2011 5:57 PM

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Apple suks and it's got a bit already taken out it's butt! Netflix or Vudu is the way I roll

towergrove 10/14/2011 6:16 PM

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masterasia :
Good idea, but I'll stick to Netflix and Redbox. I barely have time to watch movies any ways.

This is for those of us who spend money purchasing films not those who rent. Streaming like Netflix is only there until the rights expire then the video is pulled. Not quite all you can eat like many say. I want to watch when, however and wherever I like. Besides Netflix is losing subscribers and investors they are now on a subscriber and growth decline.

towergrove 10/14/2011 6:18 PM

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Igot1forya :
Back in '99 when I worked at Circuit City those players were hard to sell to customers - so we cracked one open and found that you can pop out the CMOS battery and sure enough FREE rentals for life! They were much easier to sell to customers after found that out!

Half of the income from video is still from physical media sales. This shows that many still do want physical media.

klavis 10/14/2011 6:36 PM

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UltraViolet is dead in the water. The people who wanted to use it wanted the features such as adding previously bought movies and lifetime access. Not a select few new movies and one to three years access. This "format" is not an incentive.

tanjo 10/14/2011 7:41 PM

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-1

As long as the DVD/BD (with UV) price doesn't change, it's all good (even better).

javaskull 10/14/2011 7:42 PM

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F**k that I either own it or do not. There is no rent. It's digital for gods sake. How many times can you watch the green lantern anyway? A**holes.

kirk200 10/14/2011 8:28 PM

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We bought Horrible Bosses on Blu-Ray, thought we had a "normal" Digital Copy... and were VERY disappointed in the process, and the POOR quality on the UV digital copy. We don't ever plan to buy anymore UV digital copies. For people who "think" they might like this proposal - check out the video quality first - I guarantee you won't buy a 2nd one... stay away from UV as far as possible.

del35 10/14/2011 8:55 PM

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Waoooo I am impressed. When did Apple invent movie streaming? The quality of the reception should benefit from a brushed aluminum case. What would we do without Apple's brilliance? Even after genius S. Jobs' death this company continues to innovate.

Anonymous 10/14/2011 9:50 PM

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Man.... the major thing that this had going for it was the ability to scan in movies you already own, to unlock a digital copy. If that feature is no longer.... then this doesn't really stop people from "getting" the movie they already own some other way.

I have a huge 1000+ DVD library of movies, and I'll be damned if I'm going to buy them all again, after I already bought them to replace most of the old VHS I had. I was going to be a huge supporter of this, but now.... I guess I'll continue to just get digital copies of movies I already own, some "other" way. Dang it.

TomsSound 10/14/2011 10:12 PM

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Way to make buying movies confusing. UV... no thank you.

Khimera2000 10/14/2011 10:53 PM

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I don't know about them, but DVD's I have last a lot longer then a year, setting that kind of limit does exactly what they don't want... Drive customers away.

Face it this isn't going to expand there customers beyond those that are already buying the DVDs in the first place. Who are they targeting? Any one with the capacity to rub two cents together will avoid this just because there are better options available. I know that backing up a DVD has no one three or any year limit, That's what they have to defeat, and out the door there already falling flat on there faces.

back_by_demand 10/15/2011 9:57 AM

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del35 :
Waoooo I am impressed. When did Apple invent movie streaming? The quality of the reception should benefit from a brushed aluminum case. What would we do without Apple's brilliance? Even after genius S. Jobs' death this company continues to innovate.

I actually spat my drink out
+1000 for being funny

everygamer 10/15/2011 2:46 PM

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Until they offer digital rights for life to content we purchase this will not make me purchase new movies on DVD or Blue-ray. They still just don't get it. Look at music, buy, download, listen, no time limit and it is working in the market. Time to do the same with movies.

victorintelr 10/15/2011 10:57 PM

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beardguy :
This article is confusing. Why mention Apple when the entire thing is about UltraViolet? Screw Apple for movies anyway, they expect me to pay $15 for a mobile version of a movie! What a joke.

remember, you are reading now iTom's !

eddieroolz 10/18/2011 6:38 AM

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If I'm understandingly it correctly, its yet another format in the sea of formats. Do we honestly need this many? Probably not.

Anonymous 10/25/2011 5:45 AM

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Making the digital version of the movie one just bought an additional cost after purchasing the Bluray or DVD is quite possibly the dumbest thing I have ever read or heard. Why on earth would someone want to pay multiple times to view a digital version of a movie that they own on DVD or Bluray, that in the past the digital copy has been 'free' and not leased. Able to be viewed any time? For as many years as you want?

Why are people falling for this crap? How did they get any backing for this when there were already non-leased digital copies of films attached to some Bluray packs? Good for Disney for not getting in that mess, though they do make enough money as it is.

Anonymous 02/29/2012 7:31 AM

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For me, I've invested heavily in Apple's ecosystem. I don't want or need Ultraviolet so it seems like I'm being forced to take something that's inferior to what I want.

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