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'''UltraViolet''' is a [[Cloud computing|cloud-based]] [[Digital rights management|digital rights]] library that allows users of digital home entertainment content to stream and download licensed content to multiple platforms and devices. The UltraViolet ecosystem embraces a "pay once, play almost anywhere" approach that allows users to store proofs-of-purchase of media rights in an account to enable playback of licensed content on different devices using multiple applications, and via different streaming services.<ref name=sixQs>{{cite web|last=Tribbey|first=Chris|title=Six Questions: Ultraviolet's Mitch Singer|url=http://www.homemediamagazine.com/electronic-delivery/six-questions-ultraviolet%E2%80%99s-mitch-singer-20510|work=Home Media Magazine|publisher=Questex Media Group|accessdate=April 1, 2011}}</ref> UltraViolet also allows users to share access to their library with up to 5 additional people, and 12 different devices, with up to three simultaneous streams. UltraViolet is deployed by the [[Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem]]<ref>{{cite web|title=UltraViolet Partners|url=https://www.uvvu.com/en/us/uv-for-business}}</ref> an alliance of 85 companies that includes [[film studio]]s, retailers, consumer electronics manufacturers, [[Cable Television|cable TV]] companies, [[Internet Service Provider|ISPs]], network hosting vendors, and other Internet systems and security vendors, with the notable exceptions of [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]], [[Google]], and [[Apple Inc.|Apple]].
'''UltraViolet''' is a [[Cloud computing|cloud-based]] [[Digital rights management|digital rights]] library that allows users of digital home entertainment content to stream and download licensed content to multiple platforms and devices. The UltraViolet ecosystem embraces a "pay once, play almost anywhere" approach that allows users to store proofs-of-purchase of media rights in an account to enable playback of licensed content on different devices using multiple applications, and via different streaming services.<ref name=sixQs>{{cite web|last=Tribbey|first=Chris|title=Six Questions: Ultraviolet's Mitch Singer|url=http://www.homemediamagazine.com/electronic-delivery/six-questions-ultraviolet%E2%80%99s-mitch-singer-20510|work=Home Media Magazine|publisher=Questex Media Group|accessdate=April 1, 2011}}</ref> UltraViolet also allows users to share access to their library with up to 5 additional people, and 12 different devices, with up to three simultaneous streams. UltraViolet is deployed by the [[Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem]]<ref>{{cite web|title=UltraViolet Partners|url=https://www.uvvu.com/en/us/uv-for-business}}</ref>, an alliance of 85 companies that includes [[film studio]]s, retailers, consumer electronics manufacturers, [[Cable Television|cable TV]] companies, [[Internet Service Provider|ISPs]], network hosting vendors, and other Internet systems and security vendors, with the notable exceptions of [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]], [[Google]], and [[Apple Inc.|Apple]].


==How it works==
==How it works==

Revision as of 21:54, 21 December 2014

UltraViolet is a cloud-based digital rights library that allows users of digital home entertainment content to stream and download licensed content to multiple platforms and devices. The UltraViolet ecosystem embraces a "pay once, play almost anywhere" approach that allows users to store proofs-of-purchase of media rights in an account to enable playback of licensed content on different devices using multiple applications, and via different streaming services.[1] UltraViolet also allows users to share access to their library with up to 5 additional people, and 12 different devices, with up to three simultaneous streams. UltraViolet is deployed by the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem[2], an alliance of 85 companies that includes film studios, retailers, consumer electronics manufacturers, cable TV companies, ISPs, network hosting vendors, and other Internet systems and security vendors, with the notable exceptions of Disney, Google, and Apple.

How it works

Consumers can create a free UltraViolet account, either through a participating UltraViolet service provider, or through the official UltraViolet website. An UltraViolet account is a Digital Rights Locker where licenses for purchased content are stored and managed irrespective of the point of sale. The Ultraviolet account holder is allowed to share their library with 5 other users, which are called members.

Consumers can acquire UltraViolet rights by purchasing a physical disc that includes an UltraViolet activation code, by purchasing a movie directly from an electronic retailer, or by using a disc to digital service. Disc to Digital services allow consumers to insert a DVD or Blu-ray into their computer's disc drive, scan it to verify ownership, and then add it to their UltraViolet collection for a small fee. Several retailers including Vudu, CinemaNow, and Flixster now offer this service.

Consumers can then stream or download their UltraViolet content from any participating retailer. Participating retailers are listed in the table below.

The UltraViolet digital locker does not store video files, and is not a "cloud storage" platform. Only the rights for purchased content are stored on the service. UltraViolet only coordinates and manages the licenses for each account, but not the content itself. The content may be obtained in any way, in its multi-DRM container format. By creating a digital-rights locker rather than a digital media storage locker, UltraViolet bypasses the cost of storage and bandwidth used when the media is accessed and passes that cost on to various service providers. In addition, by only managing the rights and licensing of content, UltraViolet insulates itself from future technological advances, allowing users to keep watching content they have purchased.

Content partners

The DECE includes as its members the parent divisions of five of the "Big Six" major film studios as well as "mini-major" studios.[3]

Walt Disney Studios is not a member of DECE, and does not release any of its films with UltraViolet rights. On February 25 The Walt Disney Company launched its own competing digital movie locker called Disney Movies Anywhere that allows any Disney-branded movie purchased or redeemed in iTunes to be played via the web or in an IOS app. In November, Disney added Google Play and Vudu as additional partners.[4] Non-participation in the DECE consortium does not prohibit Disney from releasing films with UltraViolet rights. In 2012 Disney's CEO Bob Iger said the studio had not ruled out UltraViolet participation, but were taking a "wait-and-see approach" and that it was too early to make conclusions.[5]

In November of 2014, Disney updated Disney Movies Anywhere to allow the account to link with VUDU and Google Play. On the VUDU side, this in a way allows the Ultraviolet content to merge with the Disney content using a single streaming provider.

UltraViolet Digital Retailers

UltraViolet content is available from many existing movie streaming services,[6] using their existing streaming and DRM technologies. Some services offer downloads that can be saved on notebook PC's, tablets, gaming consoles, or phones for offline viewing. Below is a table of all the streaming providers and the countries they serve.

Content can also be streamed over the Internet to an unlimited number of devices, depending on the content license rights held by the streaming provider. Up to three streams can be simultaneously transmitted.[7]

Comparison of streaming providers

United States Canada United Kingdom Australia New Zealand France Germany Ireland Switzerland AirPlay, Chromecast Support Disc to Digital
Flixster Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Airplay, Chromecast Yes
Vudu Yes No No No No No No No No Chromecast Yes
Nook Yes No Yes No No No No Yes No ? No
CinemaNow Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No ? Yes
Target Ticket Yes No No No No No No No No ? No
Verizon FIOS On Demand Yes No No No No No No No No No No
M GO Yes No No No No No No Yes No ? No
blinkbox No No Yes No No No No No No ? No
Cineplex Entertainment No Yes No No No No No No No ? No
JB Hi-Fi No No No Yes Yes No No No No ? No
EZyFlix No No No Yes Yes No No No No ? No

Future download capability

The Common File Format (CFF) is not yet available from any UltraViolet Retailers, but it is expected to launch soon. UltraViolet capable streaming providers already have their own proprietary formats available for download, but they are unable to be copied from one device to another, and they are not cross-platform.

Once the UltraViolet CCF is made available by a retailer, downloaded video files will be able to be copied between devices, stored on physical media (e.g. DVDs, SD cards, flash memory) or cloud services. They will be playable on any UltraViolet device or software player registered to the household account, but they will not work with any devices which are not compatible with the UltraViolet CFF. No retailers have announced support for the CFF.

CFF Compatible devices will include set-top boxes as well as Internet-enabled devices such as computers, game consoles, Blu-ray Disc players, Internet TVs, smartphones and tablets.[8]

The Common File Format uses the Common Encryption (CENC) system. The format is based on the ISO Base File Format, and ensures that a consistent set of codecs, media formats, DRMs, subtitling, and metadata, are used across the whole UltraViolet ecosystem. The CFF will use the .uvu file extension. Because every UltraViolet title should arrive in this format, it will generally play on any UltraViolet registered device. The format is based on existing standards from MPEG, SMPTE, and others, and was originally derived from the Microsoft Protected Interoperable File Format (PIFF) specification. The goal was to avoid the problem of different file formats for different players and to make it possible to copy files from player to player.[9]

There are two profiles for files and players: standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD). SD players can play only SD files. HD players can play both SD and HD files.

UltraViolet files use H.264/AVC video (ISO/IEC 14496-10). Multiple resolutions, aspect ratios, and frame rates are supported. Only progressive-scan video is allowed.

UltraViolet files use stereo MPEG-4 AAC LC audio (ISO/IEC 14496-3) as a required base format, with optional multi-channel AAC, HE AAC v2 (optionally with MPEG surround), Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (MLP), DTS, DTS HD, DTS Master Audio, and DTS Express (low bit rate).

Selected DRM technologies

UltraViolet has approved six DRM technologies allowing restrictions management on a broad range of devices: televisions, set-top-boxes, DVD & Blu-ray Disc players, games consoles, PCs, tablets and smartphones.

The selected DRM technologies are:

  • Google Widevine DRM, chosen for its strong position on set-top boxes
  • Marlin DRM, chosen for its compatibility with many Connected TVs
  • OMA CMLA-OMA v2, chosen for its strong position on mobile devices
  • Microsoft PlayReady, chosen for its wide availability on PC and CE devices
  • Adobe Primetime DRM, chosen for its wide availability on PC devices
  • DivX Plus[10]

Using the Common Encryption technology, any of these DRMs can be used to play the same file. There is no need to download another version to use a different DRM. The same file works everywhere (for a given screen size).

Criticism

Limited interoperability with existing services

Some of the most popular video platforms, such as iTunes, Amazon Instant and Google Play do not yet have UltraViolet functionality. However, UltraViolet content can be played on Apple and Android devices, through a third party app from many of the streaming providers.[11]

Limited content

Walt Disney Studios, and some smaller independent studios have not yet begun to release their films with UV rights, making it impossible for a user to have a complete collection of films in a unified digital locker. Walt Disney recently released its own digital rights locker called Disney Movies Anywhere for its films.[12]

Confusing setup

Redemption sheets that come with physical discs often direct consumers to studio operated sites that may require registration, and often confuse users. This was a big problem when the service first launched, and caused a backlash among consumers. Recently the DECE has begun to rollout a common redemption website. [13] Redemption sheet codes also have an expiry date.[14]

Restrictions on use

It is not currently possible to download an UltraViolet file and copy it to another device, such as a smartphone or tablet. Consumers must use a third party app to watch movies on portable devices. However, that capability is promised with the upcoming launch of the Common File Format.[15]

HD video is also not available for IOS devices, with the exception of some Warner Bros. films when using the flixster app.

Black market

Some consumers are selling their unused UV codes to others online.[16]

History

2010

In September 2010, Mitch Singer, the President of DECE, discussed the details of the new "UltraViolet" system in an interview with Home Media Magazine.[17]

In November 2010, Walt Disney's CEO Bob Iger, said that Keychest (Disney's locker system) could eventually work with UltraViolet. He said: "It's not our goal to create a format war."[18]

2011

In January 2011, a number of major film studio announced support for UltraViolet. The studies were: Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony Pictures, Fox, Universal and Warner Bros. The notable exception was Walt Disney.[19]

Launch of UltraViolet

In October 2011, UltraViolet entered Phase 1 soft-launch with the Warner Bros release of Horrible Bosses, the first UV title. Flixster re-launched as the first UltraViolet streaming service.[20] Sony subsequently released its first two UV titles in December, The Smurfs and Friends with Benefits.[21] Universal soon followed with the release of its first UV title, Cowboys & Aliens.[22]

In December 2011, UltraViolet soft-launched in the UK with the Warner Bros release of Final Destination 5.[23]

2012

Jan 10: At the CES, Amazon became the first major retailer to announce support for UltraViolet. The DEG reported that 750k accounts had been created in the first 3 months.[24]

Jan 24: Paramount released its first UV title, Paranormal Activity 3.[25]

Feb 7: Walt Disney's CEO Bob Iger, said the company would take a wait and see approach towards UltraViolet.[26]

April 15: DreamWorks Animation became the 7th studio to join the UltraViolet initiative.[27]

April 16: Vudu (operated by Wal-Mart) became the first major UltraViolet retailer by adding UV rights to thousands of films available in its digital store. Wal-mart also launched an In Store Disc to Digital service, with more than 4000 titles initially.[28][29]

May 2: UltraViolet surpassed 2 million users.[30]

Aug 18: Lionsgate released its first UV title The Hunger Games.[31]

Sept 18: 20th Century Fox released its first UV title Prometheus, with a new "Digital HD" branding, 3 weeks ahead of its DVD street date, and made an additional 600 titles available with UltraViolet rights.[32]

Sept 20: UltraViolet surpassed 5 million users and 7,200 titles.[33]

Oct 25: Redbox announced a partnership with UltraViolet for its new Redbox Instant streaming service.[34]

Oct 30: Barnes & Noble announced it would launch an UltraViolet enabled electronic video store for its new Nook HD tablet.[35]

Nov 20: Disney announced it would shut down it's DisneyMoviesOnline service in late December. Some industry insiders predicted that Disney would abandon its competing "keychest" technology.[36] However, the launch of DMA on February 25, 2014 confirmed that prediction was pre-mature.

Nov 24: Best Buy's CinemaNow became the second major UV retailer.[37]

Dec 20: CinemaNow launched an In Home Disc to Digital service (in beta).[38]

2013

Jan 5: DreamWorks Animation and Technicolor launched MGO, a new streaming platform with UV capability.[39]

Jan 7: The DEG announced that 9 million UV accounts had been created, and that 8,500 UV titles were available.[40]

Jan 11: Cineplex became the first UltraViolet retailer in Canada.[41]

April 19: Mark Tietell revealed that UltraViolet had surpassed 12 million users.[42]

April 25: Best Buy announced a deal to make its UV ready Cinema Now service available in Canada.[43]

May 1: UltraViolet soft-launched in Australia and New Zealand with the Warner Bros. film The Hobbit.[44]

May 2: Kaleidescape opened a UV ready video download store.[45]

May 9: 20th Century Fox announced it would offer Digital HD UltraViolet rights with all new films, and would stop including iTunes digital copies on a title by title basis.[46]

May 25: Disney debuted Digital Copy Plus, which ended iTunes exclusive digital copies on all of its new releases. The new Digital Copy Plus allows the redemption of digital copies from iTunes, Amazon Instant, Vudu, Target Ticket, or Google Play.[47]

June 3: Wal-Mart launched an In Home Disc to Digital service as a public beta.[48]

July 9: Lionsgate joined 20th Century Fox in dropping iTunes digital copies with Tyler Perry's Temptation and offering UV exclusive digital copies with most new releases.

Aug 7: The DEG announced that 10,000 titles were available and 13 million accounts had been created.[49]

Sept 3: CinemaNow bowed its Disc to Digital service in Canada.[50]

Sept 25: Target Ticket launched with UltraViolet capability, and included 10 free titles for new users.[51]

Nov 20: Ultraviolet launched in France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with the Warner Bros film Pacific Rim.

2014

Over the course of 2014, the number of UltraViolet accounts has increased substantially, from 15 million in January[52] to 17 million in April[53] to over 20 million in December.

In terms of titles available, as of January 2014, UltraViolet surpassed 12,000 available titles.[54]

Jan 19: The DECE launched a completely revamped UltraViolet website with new features, such as the ability to delete films from a user's collection.[55]

Feb 25: Disney launched Disney Movies Anywhere a streaming service powered by its own KeyChest technology to connect to iTunes, which is used to purchase or redeem content for playback via its DMA website.[56]

Feb 26: Mitch Singer, the President of DECE stated that the new Disney Movies Anywhere service would not prohibit Disney from offering UltraViolet titles in the future.[57]

March 31: Vudu became the first UV retailer to offer Google Chromecast support for UltraViolet content.[58] Flixster followed suit a few days later.[59]

Early in May, UltraViolet Chief Mark Teitell told a reporter that the Common File Format was planned for launch in the second half of 2014.[60]

May 14, Vudu introduced a new feature that allows UltraViolet users to share their movies with up to five friends.[61]

May 21, Flixster became the first UV retailer to support Airplay, finally enabling UltraViolet users to watch their UV collection on an Apple TV.[62]

Aug 11: NPD released a survey finding that more than 14% of digital content purchases are from UltraViolet Users.[63]

Early in September, DECE began to rollout a new common redemption site.[64]

Oct. 1: MGM began to offer UV rights for several of its catalog titles.

Oct. 14 Tesco's BlinkBox became the first official UV retailer in the U.K. [65]

Nov. 22: Verizon FIOS on Demand introduced UltraViolet capability. [66]

Dec. 15: The DECE announced that the UV ecosystem reached the milestone of 20 million accounts worldwide. The number of titles available increased to 14,500. Consumer awareness surpassed 44%. [67]

See also

  • AllVid
  • Keychest, Disney's service for redeeming iTunes digital downloaded films

References

  1. ^ Tribbey, Chris. "Six Questions: Ultraviolet's Mitch Singer". Home Media Magazine. Questex Media Group. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  2. ^ "UltraViolet Partners".
  3. ^ "Alliance Members". Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE). Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  4. ^ "Alex's Movie Blog: Disney Movies Anywhere adds Google Play and Vudu". Laughing Place.
  5. ^ Mann, Colin (February 8, 2012). "Disney's Iger: UltraViolet 'wait-and-see'". Advanced Television. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  6. ^ "DVD Demystified".
  7. ^ Graser, Marc (January 5, 2011). "Hollywood clicks with UltraViolet digital locker". Variety. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  8. ^ "Hollywood Studios Announce Support for UltraViolet Format and Endorse Consumers' Right to Interoperability" (Press release). Warner Bros. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  9. ^ "UltraViolet FAQ". Jim Taylor.
  10. ^ http://www.rovicorp.com/company/news-center/pressreleases/1434_17170.htm
  11. ^ "Ultraviolet Demystified".
  12. ^ "Disney Launches Disney Movies Anywhere, An iTunes-Integrated App Where Fans Can Build Their Movie Library".
  13. ^ "UltraViolet Common Redemption".
  14. ^ "UltraViolet working on easier redemption process for adding movies to the cloud".
  15. ^ "Download once, watch anywhere UltraViolet files move closer as Paramount embraces DTS".
  16. ^ Knight, Zachary. "Is Selling Your Ultraviolet Code Copyright Infringement?". TechDirt. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  17. ^ "Six Questions: Ultraviolet's Mitch Singer".
  18. ^ "Disney chief offers a ray of encouragement to UltraViolet movie coalition". USAvToday.
  19. ^ "UltraViolet Gets Studio Support".
  20. ^ "UltraViolet Soft Launches with Horrible Bosses".
  21. ^ "'The Smurfs,' 'Friends With Benefits' First UltraViolet Titles for Sony".
  22. ^ "UltraViolet Titles Keep Coming, With More Details Due At CES".
  23. ^ "`Final Destination 5′ Is First For UltraViolet In The UK; Will British Users Have Clearer Picture Than In The U.S.?".
  24. ^ "UltraViolet Registration Surges In First Three Months".
  25. ^ "Paramount Introduces UltraViolet Titles While Fox Waits". DMZ.
  26. ^ "Disney's Iger: UltraViolet 'wait-and-see'".
  27. ^ "Dreamworks Animation Teams with Wal-Mart's Disc to Digital Service".
  28. ^ "4,000-Plus Titles Available in Walmart Disc-to-Digital Program".
  29. ^ "Full List of Disc to Digital Titles".
  30. ^ "Bewkes: UltraViolet Adds 1 Million New Accounts in Four Weeks".
  31. ^ "Lionsgate Makes "Hunger Games" its First UltraViolet Release".
  32. ^ "Fox Home Entertainment Launches Digital HD Prometheus".
  33. ^ "Is UltraViolet Finally Ready to Save Hollywood's Day?".
  34. ^ "Redbox Will Promote UltraViolet In New Disc And Online Deal With Warner Bros".
  35. ^ "Barnes & Noble bolstering Nook Video catalogue, bringing UltraViolet to the HD and HD+".
  36. ^ "Disney Shuts Down Online Movie Service".
  37. ^ "CinemaNow adds Ultraviolet support to some of its movies".
  38. ^ "Best Buy's CinemaNow opens home disc-to-digital program, makes cloud copies of DVDs for a fee".
  39. ^ "M-GO video on-demand movie service launches, streams to PCs, Samsung and Vizio players".
  40. ^ "DECE Announces 9 million UltraViolet Users" (PDF).
  41. ^ "Cineplex debuts UltaViolet in Canada".
  42. ^ "UltraViolet Plans More EU Launches, Hits Back at Critics".
  43. ^ "UltraViolet and CinemaNow Announce a New Partnership".
  44. ^ "The Hobbit will be first movie to support UltraViolet in New Zealand and Australia".
  45. ^ "Kaleidescape's online video store officially opens, promises Blu-ray quality downloads".
  46. ^ "Fox Offering Early Digital Access on New Titles, Cuts Out iTunes".
  47. ^ "Disney's New 'Digital Copy Plus' One Step Closer to 'Disney Movies Anywhere'".
  48. ^ "Vudu Launches In Home Disc to Digital Service".
  49. ^ "Blu-Ray, Ultraviolet Sales Jump in First Half of 2013".
  50. ^ "CinemaNow Bows Disc to Digital in Canada".
  51. ^ "Target launches Digital Content Store with UltraViolet".
  52. ^ "DEG Year End Entertainment Report" (PDF).
  53. ^ "UltraViolet Accounts Top 17 Million". Home Media Magazine.
  54. ^ "UltraViolet Enjoys Record Week".
  55. ^ "New UltraViolet launches, lets you delete movies". Technology Tell.
  56. ^ "Disney Movies Anywhere service launches with an unprecedented link to iTunes".
  57. ^ "UltraViolet exec reacts to Disney Movies Anywhere launch". iKids.
  58. ^ "Cast Away Today with Vudu for Chromecast".
  59. ^ "Flixster movies app adds Chromecast support".
  60. ^ "With more retail partners and new content, UltraViolet satisfies" (PDF). www.degonline.org.
  61. ^ "Walmart's Vudu Now Allows UltraViolet Users To Share Their Movies With Up To Five Friends". Techcrunch.
  62. ^ "Flixster Movies App Gets AirPlay Support".
  63. ^ "NPD: UltraViolet Users Buy More Digital Content". Home Media Magazine.
  64. ^ "Code Redemption | UltraViolet".
  65. ^ "Tesco now offers digital copies of movies you've bought in any store". engadget.
  66. ^ "UltraViolet Says It Will Continue To Grow, Even Without Disney And Amazon". Deadline.
  67. ^ "UltraViolet Registered Accounts Top 20 Million". Home Media Magazine.
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