Murr Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 It's time to start selling off your Blu-ray and DVD collection, because Hollywood is getting serious about digital content. Today six studios have announced their support for the UltraViolet digital content system which gives users the ability to "watch digital entertainment across multiple platforms such as connected TVs, PCs, game consoles and smartphones." Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. are the studios behind the format, which was created by the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE). "Complementing the physical DVD and Blu-ray home entertainment markets, studios will begin offering UltraViolet content this year through digital online retailers and digital rights that come with packaged media," says a press release. But really, how long until the DVD and Blu-ray part of that equation goes away? Ten years? Five? At the rate we're going, don't bet against it. More from the press release: "The UltraViolet experience is powered by a cloud-based UltraViolet Account, which includes a Digital Rights Locker and account management functionality. Consumers can create an UltraViolet account, free of charge, via one of the many participating UltraViolet service providers or through the UltraViolet website. Once created, this account will allow consumers to easily access and manage all of their UltraViolet entertainment, regardless of where it was purchased." Users can register up to 12 devices with UltraViolet and content can be downloaded or shared between them. Streaming to set-top boxes and Internet-enabled devices (computers, Blu-ray players, tablets, etc.) will also be available. Titles will be announced by the individual studios as they become available. But hey, note the lack of the words "Disney" and "Apple" above… Source - IGN.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorty Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Eh, I'm unconvinced. For one, UltraViolet is a terrible name. For another, Digital Content is something anyone can take a slice of, no one company is going to grasp a monopoly on providing digital content so easily. I do think digital content is in our future, for sure, but I doubt this is it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I don't think it will ever completely replace physical media in our lifetime. How many of you can honestly say your parents would be fine dealing with digital distribution (without calling you up for help)? It will grow, sure. But replace? I remain unconvinced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cube Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Stuff like this is very much void for a massive fraction of the audience - mainly due to not having a good enough internet connection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I think I'll just keep stealing my movies, Hollywood. Thanks anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murr Posted January 7, 2011 Author Share Posted January 7, 2011 I think I'll just keep stealing my movies, Hollywood. Thanks anyway. But Scoop.... Surely you wouldn't steal a car!!!??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.dakota Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 This could work as a potential update to Bluray anyway, allowing you to access your library from anywhere. Best of both worlds. Hopefully, we'll see an update to Bluray to compete with this UV service. I fail to see streaming movies really take over from physical media, major markets like America and Europe simply don't have the infrastructure to deliver image anywhere near Bluray quality. Blow Apple TV, iPlayer, LoveFilm up to a 40" screen - and even below - you'll clearly see evidence of compression, couple that with the lack of 5.1 sound and streaming is a Steve Jobs' pipe dream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.C.G Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 *reads thread title* 'The Death of DVD & Blu-ray' *reads first line of press release* "Complementing the physical DVD and Blu-ray home entertainment markets..." Somehow I doubt this'll be the end for disc-based media... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cube Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Actually, reading it again, this sounds like something that would come with the Blu-Ray, replacing the standard digital copy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tellyn Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I hate these digital distribution pushes. I just like buying things in boxes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diageo Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I hate these digital distribution pushes. I just like buying things in boxes... Adding to the waste problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Its not waste if you keep it. Clutter, but not waste! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diageo Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 Cutting down trees and using up oil for plastic then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caris Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 I'm fine with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamba Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 Thing about digital distribution is that you can only buy the write to watch/listen/play something on that service alone. Instantly you become tethered to that service and have to cope with throwing away all of your hard spent cash if you want to go elsewhere. That's where physical product wins. If I want to watch a movie on a different DVD player doesn't mean I have to go buy the movie again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorty Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 Its not waste if you keep it. Clutter, but not waste! Of course it's waste. About 50 million copies of Finding Nemo have been sold. That's 50 million plastic cases with 50-100 million metal discs (special editions!) and 50 million cover slips and 50 million little useless leaflets that nobody reads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 But 50 million happy happy people. Besides, who cares about the waste as long as the dvd is mine. Mine mine mine mine mine mine. Mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diageo Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 But 50 million happy happy people. Besides, who cares about the waste as long as the dvd is mine. Mine mine mine mine mine mine. Mine. Many of which would be just as happy with a digital copy. And a fuck load less waste. A lot of people care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tellyn Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Adding to the waste problem? Honestly? I don't give a damn. Many of which would be just as happy with a digital copy. And a fuck load less waste. I don't understand how digital copies can seriously be considered an alternative to boxed products. Most people struggle setting up a film on a DVD/Blu-ray player; short of just watching it on the computer/laptop, it would be a nightmare for some people to set it up on the TV. And as has already been said by david.dakota, the quality of the product pales in comparison to Blu-ray/DVD anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diageo Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 How does the quality pale is comparison? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Cutting down trees and using up oil for plastic then. Because computers are made from dreams and happiness...? How does the quality pale is comparison? I fail to see streaming movies really take over from physical media, major markets like America and Europe simply don't have the infrastructure to deliver image anywhere near Bluray quality. Blow Apple TV, iPlayer, LoveFilm up to a 40" screen - and even below - you'll clearly see evidence of compression, couple that with the lack of 5.1 sound and streaming is a Steve Jobs' pipe dream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 I love downloading rather than getting physical products. I can't wait until the day where absolutely all of my media can just come down a wire whenever I want it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diageo Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 Because computers are made from dreams and happiness...? A computer is necessary for many things, package for a CD and the CD itself are not. He is talking about streaming movies, which depends on the speed of the connection. But if you download them you can even watch blue-ray quality films. They are a few GB, but it doesn't take that long to download. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Posted January 10, 2011 Share Posted January 10, 2011 To you, with your broadband connection. Don't forget, you're in a minority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diageo Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 You don't have broadband? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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