Apple removing movies from libraries....

[Capt-Cupcake]

I'd really love to hear Vudu's policy on this:

https://www.slashfilm.com/digital-movies-purchases/

So far I have noticed that when movies become unavailable for purchase, they still remain in my Vudu library. I like that and it's why I've always had confidence in Vudu.

Vudu admins, let me know....would Vudu ever do what Apple did? Please say no and keep me confident in Vudu!

Thanks

-Joe

[Gnatevil]

In their ToS, Apple recommends that you download any purchase to ensure you have what you bought. Problem is, right now, all you can download is HD, they don't do UHD downloads so if you purchased UHD, you can't actually download what you bought...just a downgraded version of it.

From their ToS...
- It is your responsibility not to lose, destroy, or damage Content once downloaded. We encourage you to back up your Content regularly.

and

You may be able to redownload previously acquired Content (?Redownload?) to your devices that are signed in with the same Apple ID (?Associated Devices?). You can see Content types available for Redownload in your Home Country at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204632. Content may not be available for Redownload if that Content is no longer offered on our Services.

I currently download as much as I can but with a library over 1200 movies in digital form, I've run out of room on my computer. I need to invest in a good NAS with about 100TB so I'll be good on the download front, for a little while at least...

[Wasteland]

Another reason why I never jumped ship to Apple. It's always nice to get cheap UHD and when it shows in your transactions and ports to MA I am fine. I have not been able to watch any of my UHD titles on my ATV this month since they all vanished, even though it says I still have them as HD. I am done, selling my ATV all together soon.

[VuduAddict]

VUDU can do the same thing as iTunes:

"Vudu's authority to provide Content to you is subject to restrictions imposed by the movie studios and other distributors that make Content available to Vudu ("Content Providers"). These Content Providers may designate limited periods of time when Vudu is prohibited from renting, selling and/or streaming certain Content to you, including Content that you have previously purchased. You will be able to again rent, purchase and/or view such Content at the conclusion of these restricted periods."

That hasn't happened yet, but it's in their terms of service that they can prohibit viewing purchased content. Per VUDU, you are purchasing a "limited license" to view content.

https://www.vudu.com/content/termsofservice.html

[Gnatevil]

VUDU can do the same thing as iTunes:

"Vudu's authority to provide Content to you is subject to restrictions imposed by the movie studios and other distributors that make Content available to Vudu ("Content Providers"). These Content Providers may designate limited periods of time when Vudu is prohibited from renting, selling and/or streaming certain Content to you, including Content that you have previously purchased. You will be able to again rent, purchase and/or view such Content at the conclusion of these restricted periods."

That hasn't happened yet, but it's in their terms of service that they can prohibit viewing purchased content. Per VUDU, you are purchasing a "limited license" to view content.

https://www.vudu.com/content/termsofservice.html

Actually, this did happen to me once. I had the movie "Cowboys and Aliens" in my account via code slip from said movie bluray purchase. Vudu lost licensing for the movie and they removed it from my account here. It still showed in UV but I couldn't watch it here. When Vudu regained licensing for the movie, I got it back. I was a bit confused and worried out that...but that is in the past now, I hope.

The biggest thing about Vudu that bothers me is they never came out with the so called common file format which would have given us the ability to download and store our purchases in the case of an internet outage. I've given up hope for that so I will continue to buy physical copies and just use the digital copies for convenience.

EDIT: To clarify, this is the response I got from them when this issue happened...and this happened in Nov 2012.

Thank you for contacting VUDU customer care. Unfortunately, the reason you are not seeing Cowboys and Aliens in your library, is because it is no longer available on VUDU. This may be because we no longer have the licensing to stream that title or there may have been an encoding issue and it is being taken care of. Once we regain licensing for the title, or the encoding issue is resolved, it will be available on your library again. We appreciate your patience.

So, they may have had an encoding issue vs the licensing issue. Either way, it was eventually resolved and I have it in my library now.

[quackman]

I have also noticed all the 4K movies I "own" (apparently not) have been downgraded to HD. I am starting to see reports of this all over the internet. This is very disturbing for sure, but I do wonder if Apple is doing something behind the scenes and they will all be restored to 4K after the new iOS and tvOS updates on Monday. This still shouldn't happen no matter what, but I guess we'll find out when the new OS comes out.

[lujan]

I have also noticed all the 4K movies I "own" (apparently not) have been downgraded to HD. I am starting to see reports of this all over the internet. This is very disturbing for sure, but I do wonder if Apple is doing something behind the scenes and they will all be restored to 4K after the new iOS and tvOS updates on Monday. This still shouldn't happen no matter what, but I guess we'll find out when the new OS comes out.

I don't think just because it no longer shows in the "4K & HDR" section that it has been downgraded to HD. If you look on the Movies app instead of the TV app and start playing it, it is still in 4K. I've tried several of them not showing in the "4K & HDR" section and they still play in 4K.

153 UHD
828 HDX
3 SD

[Alan Gordon]

I have also noticed all the 4K movies I "own" (apparently not) have been downgraded to HD. I am starting to see reports of this all over the internet. This is very disturbing for sure, but I do wonder if Apple is doing something behind the scenes and they will all be restored to 4K after the new iOS and tvOS updates on Monday. This still shouldn't happen no matter what, but I guess we'll find out when the new OS comes out.

I don't think just because it no longer shows in the "4K & HDR" section that it has been downgraded to HD. If you look on the Movies app instead of the TV app and start playing it, it is still in 4K. I've tried several of them not showing in the "4K & HDR" section and they still play in 4K.

As lujan stated, even though most of my 4K movies aren't currently showing up in my "4K & HDR" section of my Apple TV, or showing the 4K tag on my iPhone, many of these films are still showing as 4K when selecting or playing them.

However, for those not aware of Apple's practices, when Apple upgrades a 4K title to 4K DV or 4K/HDR10, Apple will temporarily remove the 4K title from your library (usually only a day or two) before replacing it with the updated version. Apple is rolling out Atmos support on Monday, and for the last month or so, Apple has been removing and re-adding multiple titles throughout the week with Atmos. For instance, the movie "Sing" has reverted to HD, but will most likely be re-added later this week with Atmos, so there are probably a few 4K titles that quackman owns that have been downgraded to HD, but most are still likely 4K, just not labeled as such.

[Alan Gordon]

So far I have noticed that when movies become unavailable for purchase, they still remain in my Vudu library. I like that and it's why I've always had confidence in Vudu.

For the record, I've never had a movie or TV show removed from Apple either (other than a glitch last year when a few titles disappeared for a couple days), even when it became unavailable for purchase. They have always remained.

I have had some obscure music removed in the past, but most of my music has remained, even when unavailable for purchase.

[quackman]

I don't think just because it no longer shows in the "4K & HDR" section that it has been downgraded to HD. If you look on the Movies app instead of the TV app and start playing it, it is still in 4K. I've tried several of them not showing in the "4K & HDR" section and they still play in 4K.

153 UHD
828 HDX
3 SD

As lujan stated, even though most of my 4K movies aren't currently showing up in my "4K & HDR" section of my Apple TV, or showing the 4K tag on my iPhone, many of these films are still showing as 4K when selecting or playing them.

However, for those not aware of Apple's practices, when Apple upgrades a 4K title to 4K DV or 4K/HDR10, Apple will temporarily remove the 4K title from your library (usually only a day or two) before replacing it with the updated version. Apple is rolling out Atmos support on Monday, and for the last month or so, Apple has been removing and re-adding multiple titles throughout the week with Atmos. For instance, the movie "Sing" has reverted to HD, but will most likely be re-added later this week with Atmos, so there are probably a few 4K titles that quackman owns that have been downgraded to HD, but most are still likely 4K, just not labeled as such.

Good points and good to hear! I do think this will all be straightened out after the updates.

[tgmoore71]

Good points and good to hear! I do think this will all be straightened out after the updates.

This is what makes me pray for the day Paramount, MGM, Lionsgate, etc. will join MA and let me bounce around these ecosystems - Apple, Google, Vudu, Fandango, Amazon, Microsoft. It's just pure madness without everybody on board and with different content offerings like Apple having more 4k UHD or Vudu having a sale...

[Cranston37]

It turns out there was more going on with the story than originally thought, including the guy having purchased the movies in Australia then moving to Canada (minor detail).

The keyboard warriors came out with the pitchforks and torches a little too quickly again.

Imagine that!

https://www.cnet.com/news/no-apple-d...ally-happened/

"But even if a movie you could buy on iTunes becomes unavailable to purchase for a few weeks -- or months -- it remains accessible in the cloud to those customers who bought it when it was being sold."

[quackman]

It turns out there was more going on with the story than originally thought, including the guy having purchased the movies in Australia then moving to Canada (minor detail).

The keyboard warriors came out with the pitchforks and torches a little too quickly again.

Imagine that!

https://www.cnet.com/news/no-apple-d...ally-happened/

"But even if a movie you could buy on iTunes becomes unavailable to purchase for a few weeks -- or months -- it remains accessible in the cloud to those customers who bought it when it was being sold."

Interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing this.

[quackman]

This is what makes me pray for the day Paramount, MGM, Lionsgate, etc. will join MA and let me bounce around these ecosystems - Apple, Google, Vudu, Fandango, Amazon, Microsoft. It's just pure madness without everybody on board and with different content offerings like Apple having more 4k UHD or Vudu having a sale...

Amen!

[sarakhaan]

Good points and good to hear! I do think this will all be straightened out after the updates.