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Walmart Entertainment’s Disc-to-Digital Service Powered by VUDU - Page 6

post #151 of 317
4/12/12 at 9:14am
Apparently they had a semi-scripted event at a Calif. Walmart, wherein Universals' Kornblau showed up to convert some UV titles.

Quote:


“Hurry, I just can’t wait to get into the cloud,” the affable Kornblau quipped, delighting a small cadre of chain and consortium PR staffers, as well as store employees who were still learning about how to administer the Disc to Digital service.

I think it is hilarious that 4 days from the official launch employees still don't know the process, and this was at the store where a Hollywood exec was scheduled to make an appearance!

I wonder what the odds of Walmart near, say, downtown Detroit getting it right and having people that are properly trained?

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Having already talked to a number of ranking home entertainment executives who are quietly pessimistic regarding UltraViolet’s success, I still left Rosemead Wednesday slightly excited.

I join their pessimism.

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Meanwhile, not every title from every participating studio is available. For example, as we reported earlier this week, Fox movies like Rise of the Planet of the Apes become unavailable on platforms like UltraViolet and Apple’s iCloud once they enter any of HBO’s pay-TV windows.

So you might have a Fox title that suddenly vanishes even though you paid for it to be in your account. Excellent.

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the biggest supplier of kids’ movies, Disney, doesn’t do UltraViolet.

So for a format that is supposed to be equivalent to discs but in the "cloud", we have missing studios, titles that might disappear, and limited title availability. The future is here. The past looks brighter.
http://paidcontent.org/2012/04/11/wa...cloud-service/
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post #152 of 317
4/12/12 at 9:40am
That Walmart stamp will come off easily with rubbing alcohol, I use it all the time when I use a Sharpie and make a mistake. I'm not saying to do it though.

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So you might have a Fox title that suddenly vanishes even though you paid for it to be in your account. Excellent.

Good point, it's mentioned in VUDU's TOS:

http://www.vudu.com/termsofservice.html
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post #153 of 317
4/12/12 at 10:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bt12483 View Post

~4000 as of now.
http://www.homemediamagazine.com/dig...tal-title-list

Sadly, that list doesn't indicate which titles are available in HD or HDX.
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post #154 of 317
4/12/12 at 11:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bt12483 View Post

~4000 as of now.
http://www.homemediamagazine.com/dig...tal-title-list

...

Good news, but I have a couple of questions I've asked in the Vudu forums that no one has provided an answer to so far:

1. If the movies ARE available through Vudu (but are listed as only available to WATCH in SD) and ARE one of the studios participating, can you convert to HD quality from SD (DVD)?
2. If the movies ARE available through Vudu (but are listed as only available to OWN in SD) and ARE one of the studios participating, can you convert to HD quality from SD (DVD)?
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post #155 of 317
4/12/12 at 11:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lujan View Post

Good news, but I have a couple of questions I've asked in the Vudu forums that no one has provided an answer to so far:

1. If the movies ARE available through Vudu (but are listed as only available to WATCH in SD) and ARE one of the studios participating, can you convert to HD quality from SD (DVD)?
2. If the movies ARE available through Vudu (but are listed as only available to OWN in SD) and ARE one of the studios participating, can you convert to HD quality from SD (DVD)?

I'm interested in the answers to these questions as well.

I asked Vudu support but didn't get a sufficient answer. The example I gave was The Dark Knight. It's available to rent in HDX but only available to own in SD. Does that mean that disc-to-digital service will only offer SD quality?
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post #156 of 317
4/12/12 at 12:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bt12483 View Post

~4000 as of now.
http://www.homemediamagazine.com/dig...tal-title-list

Here is the form you will have to fill out for discs you want converted:



Here is the stamp you will get:


http://paidcontent.org/2012/04/11/wa...cloud-service/

Thanks for the info!
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post #157 of 317
4/12/12 at 1:25pm
What's everyone's guess on how long it will be before the VUDU copy is included for free (with Blu-ray purchase). And finally how long before they won't bother to throw in the disc. I see this as Alpha .001 to something useful. Not so much to boost retail sells (discs) rather as a path to go against Netflix's subscription model. Where you get online access to your purchases and eventually converting to strictly a rental model (per viewing). Say $2.50 for a 24-hour window... once the disc is gone that's your only option.
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post #158 of 317
4/12/12 at 3:23pm
Any chance this include 3D versions?
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post #159 of 317
4/12/12 at 3:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bt12483 View Post

Here is the stamp you will get:

Just a matter of time before some enterprising kid comes up with a clear sticker that can be peeled off once stamped
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post #160 of 317
4/12/12 at 4:04pm
Also just a matter of time until some kid working at Walmart activates dozens of movies on his friend's Vudu accounts without them owning the disc.
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post #161 of 317
4/12/12 at 6:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles R View Post

What's everyone's guess on how long it will be before the VUDU copy is included for free (with Blu-ray purchase). And finally how long before they won't bother to throw in the disc. I see this as Alpha .001 to something useful. Not so much to boost retail sells (discs) rather as a path to go against Netflix's subscription model. Where you get online access to your purchases and eventually converting to strictly a rental model (per viewing). Say $2.50 for a 24-hour window... once the disc is gone that's your only option.

6 months ago. All of your Ultraviolet movies will be playable in Vudu once you link your account and all UV movies going forward that you redeem will be playable in Vudu.
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post #162 of 317
4/12/12 at 6:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by moviegeek View Post

That Walmart stamp will come off easily with rubbing alcohol, I use it all the time when I use a Sharpie and make a mistake. I'm not saying to do it though.



Good point, it's mentioned in VUDU's TOS:

http://www.vudu.com/termsofservice.html

Titles won't vanish but will be in your Ultraviolet locker perpetually. Even if Vudu quit you would still have the rights to the movie through Ultraviolet and would be able to play it through other retailers or download it.
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post #163 of 317
4/12/12 at 6:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starkenator View Post

Titles won't vanish but will be in your Ultraviolet locker perpetually. Even if Vudu quit you would still have the rights to the movie through Ultraviolet and would be able to play it through other retailers or download it.

Yes, I don't know how the Wal-mart/Vudu connection works but with the Fincher Dragon Tattoo Blu-ray release it comes with Ultraviolet access and while you initially start at the Sony site it is ultimately the Ultraviolet site where you gain access/view the content. You even have a different ID/login although I just used the same as I set up for the Sony site.
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post #164 of 317
4/12/12 at 7:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starkenator View Post

6 months ago. All of your Ultraviolet movies will be playable in Vudu once you link your account and all UV movies going forward that you redeem will be playable in Vudu.

Do all Blu-ray releases feature Ultraviolet... I don't think so?
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post #165 of 317
4/12/12 at 7:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles R View Post

Do all Blu-ray releases feature Ultraviolet... I don't think so?

Warners do, but what I was saying was that most of the new titles released in the last few months from participating studios include an Ultraviolet copy and these copies will be playable through Vudu even though it was not purchased on Vudu. Your Ultraviolet titles sync with your Vudu titles. Basically a movie that comes with an Ultraviolet copy is the same as if it comes with a Vudu copy.
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post #166 of 317
4/12/12 at 7:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starkenator View Post

Warners do, but what I was saying was that most of the new titles released in the last few months from participating studios include an Ultraviolet copy and these copies will be playable through Vudu even though it was not purchased on Vudu. Your Ultraviolet titles sync with your Vudu titles.

I understand. My gist was until all purchases come with an online version they can't start replacing/dropping the disc (to a large degree).
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post #167 of 317
4/12/12 at 8:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles R View Post

I understand. My gist was until all purchases come with an online version they can't start replacing/dropping the disc (to a large degree).

Yeah I remember several months ago Walmart was selling new releases on Vudu in store as a piece of cardboard with a code on it to redeem the movie online. Obviously was not popular because they quit but I could see them doing that again. In the meantime they will probably keep offering Vudu movie pack ins with the discs and promote the fact that Ultraviolet titles can instantly be streamed on Vudu.
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post #168 of 317
4/12/12 at 8:44pm
If Walmart employees are able to do this already I would be curious to know where they go (URL) to link their Vudu accounts to Ultraviolet to see if I could get them linked up prior to next week and not have to wait to watch my current Ultraviolet movies on Vudu.
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post #169 of 317
4/12/12 at 10:50pm
I'm going to stick this here because I'm not sure where else to put it.

This whole disc to digital thing has me thinking - what is the future of online content?

When iTunes first made music available online, they were forced to wrap the songs in DRM and lock it to particular devices. Apple pushed back and now we can finally buy music with no DRM and no restrictions on what devices we can play it on. You can stick your songs on your iPod, I can stick them onto my BlackBerry, John Doe can stick them into whatever music jukebox/library software he wants and everything will play.

Because of the flexibility of iTunes songs sans DRM, I'm certain many more songs are now being purchased.

So, this begs the question: Will movies eventually end up like songs? Buy one, download it and play it on any device via any piece of software? Are consumers going to embrace this current model of low-quality, proprietary formats locked to certain devices, only accessible when online and have your original disc vandalized in the process?

Are consumers going to simply become frustrated with the restrictions on their purchases and frustrated with inconsistent availability across various services?

Just a thought.
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post #170 of 317
4/13/12 at 5:35am
It won't happen as long as the movie studios have a say in it. They are trying to avoid what happened with the music industry. The last thing they want is content without DRM.
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post #171 of 317
4/13/12 at 5:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebberry View Post

I'm going to stick this here because I'm not sure where else to put it.

This whole disc to digital thing has me thinking - what is the future of online content?

When iTunes first made music available online, they were forced to wrap the songs in DRM and lock it to particular devices. Apple pushed back and now we can finally buy music with no DRM and no restrictions on what devices we can play it on. You can stick your songs on your iPod, I can stick them onto my BlackBerry, John Doe can stick them into whatever music jukebox/library software he wants and everything will play.

Because of the flexibility of iTunes songs sans DRM, I'm certain many more songs are now being purchased.

So, this begs the question: Will movies eventually end up like songs? Buy one, download it and play it on any device via any piece of software? Are consumers going to embrace this current model of low-quality, proprietary formats locked to certain devices, only accessible when online and have your original disc vandalized in the process?

Are consumers going to simply become frustrated with the restrictions on their purchases and frustrated with inconsistent availability across various services?

Just a thought.

All real concerns, which to this day have no real answer.

The foreseeable future is what we have now - scattered and non-universal/non-standardized content.

Amazon vs. Apple vs. UltraViolet vs. xbox live vs. PSN vs. Netflix vs Hulu vs. CinemaNow, etc.

Each have varying audio and video quality and varying pricing. Each have redundant content. Content can be removed or restricted based on deals struck by huge content corporations or expiring digital rights.

True ownership in the sense that we've become accustomed to with discs will likely be eliminated, as they seemingly prefer to lease it to you instead, depending in part on whether or not you have an always-on high-speed internet connection.

At this point I think I'll just stick to Redbox for $1 and change.
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post #172 of 317
4/13/12 at 7:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bt12483 View Post

All real concerns, which to this day have no real answer.

The foreseeable future is what we have now - scattered and non-universal/non-standardized content.

Amazon vs. Apple vs. UltraViolet vs. xbox live vs. PSN vs. Netflix vs Hulu vs. CinemaNow, etc.

Each have varying audio and video quality and varying pricing. Each have redundant content. Content can be removed or restricted based on deals struck by huge content corporations or expiring digital rights.

True ownership in the sense that we've become accustomed to with discs will likely be eliminated, as they seemingly prefer to lease it to you instead, depending in part on whether or not you have an always-on high-speed internet connection.

At this point I think I'll just stick to Redbox for $1 and change.

Good points but I wouldn't lump them together as you did as it will be more like Ultraviolet (which includes Flixster and Vudu with Amazon part way there and will likely include PSN, Xbox, & Cinema Now) vs Apple vs subsciption based services like Netflix & Hulu. Flixster is currently the only Ultraviolet enabled playback service with Vudu joining next week. Amazon has already made a deal to sell Ultraviolet movies from one studio, likely Warner, and Sony, Microsoft, and Best Buy are all members of the Ultraviolet Alliance and will likely announce their Ultraviolet integration plans with their respective services this year. The thing most people don't seem to understand about Ultraviolet is that it is not a service like iTunes but is a format like DVD/Blu-ray. So no matter where you buy the Ultraviolet movie you will be able to play it through any other Ultraviolet service or device that has signed up for the content deals with the studios. Granted there are and will be growing pains with the format such as the fact that Paramount movies will not play on Flixster currently but these will be ironed out eventually. Apple is likely the only major electronic content delivery system that will not sell Ultraviolet enabled movies as they are not a member of the consortium. The studios set it up in this way so there would competition among retailers and would give consumers a sense of confidence in purchasing content that it would not be locked down to one service. From comments I have heard from Disney Executives along with the fact that they keep pushing back Disney Studio All Access I think they will also join Ultraviolet before long. I know many do not like Ultraviolet, mostly because they don't understand it, and want to stick to their physical media but I think we need to give the studios some credit for being forward thinking and not trying to stick to the status quo. I personally will stick to physical media for the most part but I love the fact that when I buy the disc I also get a cloud based version included. It does not have to be Ultraviolet versus physical media as you can have both.
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post #173 of 317
4/14/12 at 6:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starkenator View Post

Titles won't vanish but will be in your Ultraviolet locker perpetually. Even if Vudu quit you would still have the rights to the movie through Ultraviolet and would be able to play it through other retailers or download it.

The last two words are of primary interest to me......I am waiting to see, if downloading will be allowed to media players with hard drives and NAS setups.....THAT would bring me into the fold big time....Elliminate all the ripping, muxing, transcoding, etc......Downloading to PC is a non-starter for me...

Cloud is nice, but download is better.....
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post #174 of 317
4/14/12 at 7:05am
Before it snowballs, please keep the discussion in this thread to the Walmart/Vudu program. Any discussion of what might happen or future guessing in general belongs in another thread especially now that the program is 'live'. Thanks.

larry
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post #175 of 317
4/14/12 at 7:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starkenator View Post

Good points but I wouldn't lump them together as you did as it will be more like Ultraviolet (which includes Flixster and Vudu with Amazon part way there and will likely include PSN, Xbox, & Cinema Now) vs Apple vs subsciption based services like Netflix & Hulu. Flixster is currently the only Ultraviolet enabled playback service with Vudu joining next week. Amazon has already made a deal to sell Ultraviolet movies from one studio, likely Warner, and Sony, Microsoft, and Best Buy are all members of the Ultraviolet Alliance and will likely announce their Ultraviolet integration plans with their respective services this year. The thing most people don't seem to understand about Ultraviolet is that it is not a service like iTunes but is a format like DVD/Blu-ray. So no matter where you buy the Ultraviolet movie you will be able to play it through any other Ultraviolet service or device that has signed up for the content deals with the studios. Granted there are and will be growing pains with the format such as the fact that Paramount movies will not play on Flixster currently but these will be ironed out eventually. Apple is likely the only major electronic content delivery system that will not sell Ultraviolet enabled movies as they are not a member of the consortium. The studios set it up in this way so there would competition among retailers and would give consumers a sense of confidence in purchasing content that it would not be locked down to one service. From comments I have heard from Disney Executives along with the fact that they keep pushing back Disney Studio All Access I think they will also join Ultraviolet before long. I know many do not like Ultraviolet, mostly because they don't understand it, and want to stick to their physical media but I think we need to give the studios some credit for being forward thinking and not trying to stick to the status quo. I personally will stick to physical media for the most part but I love the fact that when I buy the disc I also get a cloud based version included. It does not have to be Ultraviolet versus physical media as you can have both.

I, for one, think UV has a lot of potential if the studios do it RIGHT!! As for the idea of leasing being the main goal of UV, I have read many times the studios are interested in boosting SALES of their content....I currently have over 300 movies on VUDU and never had a problem watching them at any time I wanted....The ecosystem has the ability to provide high quality video AND audio, HD audio formats are in the spec...TrueHD, DTS-HD and DTS Master Audio are included.....

My requirements are simple, give me high-quality video and audio, ala VUDU, allow me to download my purchases to local storage to feed my home cinema, and I'm a happy camper...I don't watch my films on a smaller screen........

One fly in the ointment though, the economy will have a lot to say about the success of this project going forward....
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post #176 of 317
4/14/12 at 7:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PooperScooper View Post

Before it snowballs, please keep the discussion in this thread to the Walmart/Vudu program. Any discussion of what might happen or future guessing in general belongs in another thread especially now that the program is 'live'. Thanks.

larry

Sorry, posted after you did....oooopsie!!
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post #177 of 317
4/14/12 at 7:15am
^^^ no problem.


Also, it would be nice if some enterprising person somewhere did us all a favor and came up a list of HD titles available that are not available on disc in HD.

larry
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post #178 of 317
4/14/12 at 7:20am
I checked out the list and I have targeted a few DVD films to upgrade to HDX......Gladiator, Heat, the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded( I have these on HD-DVD, gonna see if they accept them for a $2 conversion), King of Kings, and Ben Hur......

Missing was Jaws and Jurrasic Park, even though VUDU is bundling the Jurassic Park trilogy for 49.99.....

The list doesn't say which are available in hi-def format and doesn't say if the LOTR films are the extended versions or theatrical.....
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post #179 of 317
4/14/12 at 10:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PooperScooper View Post

Before it snowballs, please keep the discussion in this thread to the Walmart/Vudu program. Any discussion of what might happen or future guessing in general belongs in another thread especially now that the program is 'live'. Thanks.

larry

My apologies Larry, I knew I was getting OT with the post, but I wasn't sure where else to post it since we don't have a "General/OT/..." section
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post #180 of 317
4/14/12 at 11:51am
This article from Consumer Reports answers a lot of questions about how the process will work: http://news.consumerreports.org/elec...l-program.html

For example even though Batman Begins is not available currently on Vudu for HDX purchase through Disc to Digital you can still get it.
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