Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

In my opinion, it would be hypocritical to call the two account requirement with DECE a confusion and hindrance to consumer acceptance and not level the same claim at DMA.

The fact that DMA is a single studio, does not have D2D, and has no library sharing are additional strikes. The family sharing of iTunes / AppleTV is a pale comparison to the DECE library sharing feature.

[Grey Ghost]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

Yeah, that could be the reason. Still, the confusion with DMA will just grow as they keep adding vendors. UV is often criticized for needing two accounts to work. It has been stream-lined somewhat with auto account creation via API out of a vendor store front. DMA is going to grow awfully clunky as they keep adding vendors. Plus, with it being for just one studio makes for a rather annoying user expirence.

DMA is not clunky right now, and I would not expect the addition of Vudu to make it clunky. Vudu has been preparing for DMA for a while, so hopefully everything will go smoothly like it did when Google Play was added. Adding more vendors will actually decrease any confusion because your vendor of choice will be more likely to be part of DMA. Right now the confusing part is if you choose a non DMA provider to redeem your code the movie will not end up in your DMA locker. Of course you can still get in your locker with the DMR portion of the code.

I really don't see how just including Disney/Pixar/Disney-Marvel makes it annoying. If anything it makes it simpler. Redeem your digital code or DMA code at digital copy plus and watch at your favorite linked provider, this is just how Ultraviolet works. The DMA app is great for the on the go experience.

The DMA locker is really very similar to the UV locker, any complaints about DMA probably apply to Ultraviolet as well, except for the lack of family sharing, which is the big bugaboo for you and many others.
iTunes has family sharing now which includes Disney movies, so maybe Vudu could include DMA titles in family sharing. It does not seem to be prohibited by Disney.

[lujan]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

Derp! I see now, I was thinking you were saying their size would be the big factor, but Best Buy is a big retailer, too, and CinemaNow is not going anywhere fast. But I see you were also talking about their ability to be a full-service media provider, like Vudu and Walmart are trying to do. (Personally, I think Vudu's doing a great job, but we know Instawatch is having issues on Walmart's side, and the studios can make redemptions confusing and frustrating, too.)

As I understand it, Best Buy no longer owns CinemaNow so the two should no longer be tied together.

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

Didn't Amazon and Disney just settle some big dispute? I think, if I remember correctly, that Amazon wasn't taking pre-orders on The Winter Soldier or Maleficent for awhile and maybe didn't have The Winter Soldier when it first went on sale.

I answered my own question: http://dailycaller.com/2014/08/12/am...vie-preorders/

Yeah, that could be the reason. Still, the confusion with DMA will just grow as they keep adding vendors. UV is often criticized for needing two accounts to work. It has been stream-lined somewhat with auto account creation via API out of a vendor store front. DMA is going to grow awfully clunky as they keep adding vendors. Plus, with it being for just one studio makes for a rather annoying user expirence.

[YankeeGator6]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

Amazon has a larger share of the publishing industry, both print & electronic, then any other single retailer in history.

Their goal is to lock up a similar share of video, both physical and EST.

There is no question, they are a big player. It is interesting that WD-Studios elected iTunes as their first. GooglePlay as the second. The third should of been Amazon, but here we are three days from Vudu getting the third slot in interconnection to DMA.

Didn't Amazon and Disney just settle some big dispute? I think, if I remember correctly, that Amazon wasn't taking pre-orders on The Winter Soldier or Maleficent for awhile and maybe didn't have The Winter Soldier when it first went on sale.

I answered my own question: http://dailycaller.com/2014/08/12/am...vie-preorders/

[MaxH]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

That's what I was referring to. Having an UV "instawatch" option for Amazon would get people's attention in ways that nothing else has so far. I love the Walmart/Vudu option, but if someone buys a disc in the store, they still have to manually scan the receipt. If you had the option on Amazon, the "average" consumer might finally begin to understand what Ultraviolet is really about.

Derp! I see now, I was thinking you were saying their size would be the big factor, but Best Buy is a big retailer, too, and CinemaNow is not going anywhere fast. But I see you were also talking about their ability to be a full-service media provider, like Vudu and Walmart are trying to do. (Personally, I think Vudu's doing a great job, but we know Instawatch is having issues on Walmart's side, and the studios can make redemptions confusing and frustrating, too.)

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

Amazon has a larger share of the publishing industry, both print & electronic, then any other single retailer in history.

Their goal is to lock up a similar share of video, both physical and EST.

There is no question, they are a big player. It is interesting that WD-Studios elected iTunes as their first. GooglePlay as the second. The third should of been Amazon, but here we are three days from Vudu getting the third slot in interconnection to DMA.

[YankeeGator6]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

Don't forget, Amazon is not just a retailer of discs, they're also a big streaming provider via Amazon Instant Video, so they could provide both the digital copy and the platform for streaming your UV movies. If they can integrate it like Vudu did, so users can redeem and share on Amazon (and avoid the crappy UVVU web site), they could really kick UV adoption to Warp 10!

That's what I was referring to. Having an UV "instawatch" option for Amazon would get people's attention in ways that nothing else has so far. I love the Walmart/Vudu option, but if someone buys a disc in the store, they still have to manually scan the receipt. If you had the option on Amazon, the "average" consumer might finally begin to understand what Ultraviolet is really about.

[MaxH]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

Let's face it, Amazon would be HUGE! The problem is that nobody really understands what UltraViolet is and that you have to have at least two accounts...one of UV and one for a UV retailer to actually watch them on. Amazon joining UV wouldn't solve that, but at least they have an established reputation as an online entertainment source and people might be inclined to take the time to find out more. That's just credibility that the other UV retailers don't have.

Don't forget, Amazon is not just a retailer of discs, they're also a big streaming provider via Amazon Instant Video, so they could provide both the digital copy and the platform for streaming your UV movies. If they can integrate it like Vudu did, so users can redeem and share on Amazon (and avoid the crappy UVVU web site), they could really kick UV adoption to Warp 10!

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

Let's face it, Amazon would be HUGE! The problem is that nobody really understands what UltraViolet is and that you have to have at least two accounts...one of UV and one for a UV retailer to actually watch them on. Amazon joining UV wouldn't solve that, but at least they have an established reputation as an online entertainment source and people might be inclined to take the time to find out more. That's just credibility that the other UV retailers don't have.

Amazon, as a global e-retailer would be important. However, I feel they are just following the crowd. Video is not their core business.

Sony has dropped many hints that they are soon to bring playstation into the DECE fold. That is a service built specifically for the delivery of entertainment content. IMHO, a Sony announcement would have more meaning, even if their EST sales numbers are lower then Amazon.

[YankeeGator6]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

I think when Amazon joins UV it will help a lot. They have a much deeper catalog than VUDU, and many more users, and it could persuade some studio's to add more movies to the UV system, and even TV shows. I will still use VUDU most of the time, because of their excellent D2D program, and DMA soon, but having another large provider could really help UV to become a widely used standard.

Let's face it, Amazon would be HUGE! The problem is that nobody really understands what UltraViolet is and that you have to have at least two accounts...one of UV and one for a UV retailer to actually watch them on. Amazon joining UV wouldn't solve that, but at least they have an established reputation as an online entertainment source and people might be inclined to take the time to find out more. That's just credibility that the other UV retailers don't have.

[echopulse]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

I think when Amazon joins UV it will help a lot. They have a much deeper catalog than VUDU, and many more users, and it could persuade some studio's to add more movies to the UV system, and even TV shows. I will still use VUDU most of the time, because of their excellent D2D program, and DMA soon, but having another large provider could really help UV to become a widely used standard.

[stryperrocks67]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

I still prefer to have my physical blu-ray discs, but I like to have them in the cloud also. So for me, I buy the BR and it comes with the code for the same price or less than just buying the UV movie. If a movie is on sale for Disney DMA or UV, I will buy it. But otherwise, I try to buy the BR with the code.

I also like to have the special features that BR discs offer, and that is one of the biggest appeals for me to sticking with physical.

Also, I have multiple UV movies that have video errors in them, or wrong versions, or wrong language, or don't show up, etc etc... I refuse to go all in until they correct those issues. Which, even though I opened cases on them, and I was told they would try to fix them, not a single one has been corrected. Anywhere. Flixster, Vudu, CinemaNow, and Target all have different problems with movies. Heck, Flixster and Target have a Godzilla movie in my collection that I don't even own...yet they are missing the one I do own. And when I contact them, they say I don't have either. :P

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

so the value loss from spotty access to the purchased content.

I can empathize. Since you have been raising the issue, I have been checking speed tests a few times per day. Every time without exception, I am pegged at nine.

The "Network Tips" section of the speed test have some basic trouble shooting that are sound in my estimation. You seem to have done all those and still see it reoccuring. I sincerely hope you find the root cause. I honestly do not believe it to be in the CDN Vudu uses to cache.

Vudu has been offering an OTT video service longer then anybody. Netflix streaming came after. Their methods to provide this service are industry standard, both from support and infrastructure standpoints, IMO.

[mgbcondor]

Re: Rapid Adoption of Streaming:

I think within five years we are going to see a huge boost in streaming and digital downloads. I install home theater systems as a second job and my clients ask more and more about streaming options ( their children are the ones bringing it up as an option). In fact clients ask me about their kids heading to college and what they can do to keep home theater costs down and the first thing I mention are Appletv and Roku boxes and how if the parents already have Hulu and Netflix then while in college that's all they'll need besides a fast internet connection or hotspot mobile device.

I've been reading articles where today's younger generation has no interest whatsoever in cable or Sat TV as they want to stream everything. I recall a clients 20 year old child calling me to thank me about informing her parents about Hulu and Netflix and how her parents are paying for that for her which is a huge cost saving from her limited income.

The current articles state that with more and more cable cutters it's going to force two things to cable and Sat companies. It's going to force them to provide ala carte programming to keep up or get left behind but the bad is major companies will also increase Internet costs to deflect the money they lose from cable cutters.

Every summer I head to a Audio/video convention and of course 4K streaming is most prevalent but how soon everything will be streaming.

Some of you wonder why I get down about Vudu and buffering problems I do this as I install and calibrate systems all the time and it gets frustrating when I tout services like Vudu and actually get clients up and running with streaming services and we test out Vudu and I get Buffering issues and then I have to explain to the clients how even though they have a 50,000 system with incredibly fast internet speeds they are still at the mercy of each provider and buffering is an issue with Vudu. I like to use Vudu as a showpiece as I believe they have the best picture and sound quality when it comes to streaming and every time I see buffering while showing a system I do a groan inside.

With Kaleidascope losing their legal battle with copying Blurays I feel Vudu is the best viable option for storing and streaming libraries. Personally I use Vudu strictly for my family to share as they are not wealthy but huge movie lovers so by having them linked to my account I can keep them updated almost every week with the latest releases and that is a blessing.