News from CES

[NWRushing]

Re: News from CES

So what you all are saying is.... MGM is going to be D2D now? lol

[jeffpn]

Re: News from CES

Show me a price list that states the cost for Blu Rays, the cost for DVDs, and the cost for VHS tapes.

[tfisher]

Re: News from CES

I don't think anyone cares what you do, but when you make false and/or misleading statements on a public forum you have to be ready to be corrected. Suffice it to say that there aren't currently any licensing provisions for VHS because if there were there we could find a primary reference for it, not a second or third hand account.

Whether or not they have something in the works and are going to announce VHS is a different story. You can choose to l believe what you will about that.

I understand. However, I do not think I've made any false statements on this forum. It's true that I believe we can obtain digital licenses for VHS tapes. Some of my statements, or arguments to support my belief, may be misleading if you don't look at all my statements.

But like you, I still have a little doubt and I've made it very clear that I too would like to have more clarification and not just a third party account of what Walmart said. At the same time, I have been speaking from experience because a Walmart store did allow my transaction, whether they should have allowed it or not is the question...again, this doesn't make me the bad guy...I didn't hold a gun to their head or make any threats, I simply explained why I brought VHS tapes in and whatever they read in their notebook seemed to confirm what I was saying.

So can I assume that you are a person can give us a first hand account of digital license agreements and disc-to-digital since you state without reservation that there are no licensing provisions for VHS? If not then you are just as guilty as me at this point for posting "false statements". There is at least a little room for doubt, so let's wait for something more official than your interpretation, my interpretation, and two different articles on the web.

[jeffpn]

Re: News from CES

I do understand that all the websites show DVD and Blu-rays. I understand that. I understand that even the name implys 'disc' and not 'tape'. I was under the same impression for a long time. But as I started finding out what D2D really was, that is what we were really paying for and as I used D2D more and more I started to question whether or not other types of movie media could be used.

And you started looking for anything that would give you answer you were looking for, even if that meant reading something that wasn't there.

As for names...I stopped putting a lot of emphasis on names a long time ago. I work with a person named Sherry. Most people might think that any person with the name of Sherry is a woman. Well, this Sherry is a man. My point is that in this case we need to focus on what the digital rights are (which is what I've been saying for the past 2 days).

Huh? That makes no sense to me. Let's say I lay a Disc on the table, and a VHS tape next to it. Then I ask you to bring me the disc. Which one will you bring to me? I don't care whether the Sherry you work with is a man or a woman. A disc is a disc and a tape is a tape. Names of people you work with have nothing to do with this discussion.

If we find out that the Director of Corporate Communications at Walmart was misquoted or something was taken out of context in the USA Today article then I will go back to my Walmart and have my 2 titles removed

How altruistic of you. I think I'd just keep them, if it were me. I'm not saying I've never gotten what I wanted, even though I shouldn't have.

[jonline]

Re: News from CES

One place on the Vudu website is when you are adding a new title to your Disc to Digital list...it doesn't ask whether you will be taking a Blu-ray or a DVD to Walmart. It simply asks you to choose a video quality.

Of course it does. It asks if you have the bluray or DVD, then gives you the price for SD or HD depending on which format you have. Have you even used this service before?

[jonline]

Re: News from CES

I am sorry you guys have a problem with people like me who ask questions and try to make things better, at least from our perspective. I still don't see how converting VHS to digital is of any concern to you, but you are free to keep posting your remarks.

I don't think anyone cares what you do, but when you make false and/or misleading statements on a public forum you have to be ready to be corrected. Suffice it to say that there aren't currently any licensing provisions for VHS because if there were there we could find a primary reference for it, not a second or third hand account.

Whether or not they have something in the works and are going to announce VHS is a different story. You can choose to l believe what you will about that.

[tfisher]

Re: News from CES

I do understand that all the websites show DVD and Blu-rays. I understand that. I understand that even the name implys 'disc' and not 'tape'. I was under the same impression for a long time. But as I started finding out what D2D really was, that is what we were really paying for and as I used D2D more and more I started to question whether or not other types of movie media could be used.

As for names...I stopped putting a lot of emphasis on names a long time ago. I work with a person named Sherry. Most people might think that any person with the name of Sherry is a woman. Well, this Sherry is a man. My point is that in this case we need to focus on what the digital rights are (which is what I've been saying for the past 2 days).

One place on the Vudu website is when you are adding a new title to your Disc to Digital list...it doesn't ask whether you will be taking a Blu-ray or a DVD to Walmart. It simply asks you to choose a video quality.

Anyway, we've done all the "debating" that can be done on the subject. I've done all I can do to show you guys my side of the argument. I do hope that some of you can at least see a little bit about where I am coming from, and I can definantly see why you guys are reluctant to accept it.

I am working on getting an "undisputable source" to provide us with clarification about all of this. It's my hope that I can find someone at Walmart Corporate or Vudu to post something in the forum that answers all these questions.

If we find out that the Director of Corporate Communications at Walmart was misquoted or something was taken out of context in the USA Today article then I will go back to my Walmart and have my 2 titles removed (actuall, I will probably just buy the movies on DVD). Then I will proceed to push to have VHS and other legal types of movie media added into the digital rights agreement (it may never happen, but what most people don't realize is that you don't know if you don't ask).

It may take a few days, but I will let the forum know what I find out.

[jeffpn]

Re: News from CES

Do you have an undisputable source to back up your claims that VHS is indeed included in the D2D program?

There's a listed price for DVDs and a listed price for Blu Rays. Show me a listed price for VHS as posted on a website, or a D2D sign at Walmart, and I'd be happy.

[rdodolak]

Re: News from CES

This article is the first time I saw something that "seems" suggests a different fee for VHS. A different fee based on the media type.

A different fee? Where is the original source which previously suggested what the VHS fee should have been?

I think I know the answer but if you have a source then let me know.

While journalists generally do more and better research than you or I, and they get their information from the horses mouth...they do sometimes make mistakes...again, like you and I.

Don't make me laugh. That may have been true years ago but that isn't the case anymore. A lot of, although not all, journalists are more concerned about be the first to press then getting facts right to begin with.

Either way, it does seem to confirm what I have been thinking...that we can convert our VHS tapes under the currently digital rights agreements.

So you admit you aren't sure but rather how you thought it should be.

I am sorry you guys have a problem with people like me who ask questions and try to make things better, at least from our perspective. I still don't see how converting VHS to digital is of any concern to you, but you are free to keep posting your remarks.

Not at all. I have no problems with you asking questions or having a different perspective. However, it seems you've been very generous with stretching the T&Cs of the D2D program to fit your needs. Do you have an undisputable source to back up your claims that VHS is indeed included in the D2D program?

[tfisher]

Re: News from CES

Why stop now? You've done a fine job of filling in Walmart's blanks yourself, as you saw fit. Sometimes you have to read what isn't there, remember? That's what you said earlier.

I agree, I have done a fine job of sorting this all out. Thanks for acknowledging that.

Based on the way I understand it we can buy SD digital rights or HD digital rights to movies we own.

This article is the first time I saw something that "seems" suggests a different fee for VHS. A different fee based on the media type. While journalists generally do more and better research than you or I, and they get their information from the horses mouth...they do sometimes make mistakes...again, like you and I.

Either way, it does seem to confirm what I have been thinking...that we can convert our VHS tapes under the currently digital rights agreements.

I am sorry you guys have a problem with people like me who ask questions and try to make things better, at least from our perspective. I still don't see how converting VHS to digital is of any concern to you, but you are free to keep posting your remarks.

[jeffpn]

Re: News from CES

Why stop now? You've done a fine job of filling in Walmart's blanks yourself, as you saw fit. Sometimes you have to read what isn't there, remember? That's what you said earlier.

[tfisher]

Re: News from CES

The only thing I will respond to is this...

So, blu-ray to digital will run both $2 and $5. I think he meant to say the DVD would cost $5 if you want an HD UV copy.

I was a bit confused by this also. I am wanting to get Walmart to clarify what the fee should be for VHS to digital (both SD and HD). I paid $2 for SD and am thinking that $5 would be to upgrade to HD, regardless of whether you own the movie on DVD or VHS. Then again, did he mean to say that Walmart should have charged me $5 for VHS.

I don't know for sure, which is why I am asking Walmart to fill in the blanks.

[rdodolak]

Re: News from CES

... Here is an article that specifically mentions converting old VHS tapes to Blu-ray quality for $5. The same Walmart source is named in it:

http://news.doddleme.com/television-...rays-and-dvds/

In case you didn't see the USA Today article posted earlier in this thread, here it is again. Walmart spokesperson tells us that disc-to-digit also includes VHS:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/techno...p-ces/1817125/

Or, you can read it here:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/usatoday/article/1817125?odyssey=mod_sectionstories
...

Umm, no. Just because an online article quotes a WM representative, which by the way the quote never referenced VHS, and then the writer mentions VHS himself doesn't mean WM stated it.

That author needs to also learn how to proof read his columns as well.

The fee to have access to the cloud based copy is $2 for a blu-ray disc and an upgrade from VHS or Blu-ray to an online copy will run $5.

So, blu-ray to digital will run both $2 and $5. I think he meant to say the DVD would cost $5 if you want an HD UV copy.

As to the Democratic and Chronicle article, it's simply a repost of the USA Today article. The more an article is reposted doesn't make it more true.

[tfisher]

Re: News from CES

It is presumptuous to assume that you are right when you can't find anything listed in any current details.

I agree 100%. That is why I started asking questions last month about it and all I got was someone at Vudu stating their opinion or assumption. All I have been searching for is the truth.

It's easy to see how we could think that only DVDs or Blu/Blue/Bleu/Azul-rays are to be used for disc-to-digital. But when you read other statements that make references to "movies" with no regard to type of media and when you read what the D2D fee really is then perhaps you can see how I came to the conclusion that perhaps VHS and other forms of media could be used.

It's about the license agreements, not the name. Because the program has the world 'Disc' instead of 'movie', does this really mean we can only use movies stored on Disc? No, we have to understand the agreements made between the studios and the retailers. According to the retailer that owns Vudu (Walmart) we CAN use VHS tapes...so don't shoot the messenger.

Here is an article that specifically mentions converting old VHS tapes to Blu-ray quality for $5. The same Walmart source is named in it:

http://news.doddleme.com/television-...rays-and-dvds/

In case you didn't see the USA Today article posted earlier in this thread, here it is again. Walmart spokesperson tells us that disc-to-digit also includes VHS:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/techno...p-ces/1817125/

Or, you can read it here:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/usatoday/article/1817125?odyssey=mod_sectionstories

So according to Walmart, we CAN convert VHS tapes. While nothing is in print that I've seen regarding LaserDisc or BetaMax (if anyone has any of these), I would be willing to bet that you may obtain the right to watch those movies in the cloud as well. Why? Because nothing was in print before this year about VHS either. But more importantly, because you already purchased the write to watch the movie when you bought the LaserDisc or whatever. Disc-to-digital is simply a way for you to purchase ADDITIONAL rights for the movies you already own.

I am all for following "the rules". But some people believe that rules should never be questioned. This whole thing really started when I basically asked "if" we could use VHS tapes and I requested that VHS be included if they were not currently allowed. Of course I was beat up for making such suggestions. But now that I am on the other side of this "argument" I continue to get beat up (that's fine, I can take it...I am not here seeking anyone's approval, just trying to help others). I can also follow the rules when they are clearly defined. Not everyone in this world is a sheep that will follow the guy in front of him over a cliff.

Anyway, I am planning to contact Walmart's spokesperson to get additional clarification and to see if they can issue another official statement right here on this forum. I am doing this to try to help those who have VHS tapes and LaserDiscs that they would like to watch in the cloud.

[jonline]

Re: News from CES

What is your source?

http://bit.ly/WSkNQM

The D2D program is to buy ADDITIONAL rights to movies you ALREADY own

Right. Additional rights to a movie you already own... in an eligible format. Is this program really that difficult to understand? Do you think laserdisc and beta qualify under the terms that are plastered all over the internet? VHS is the same, disregarding the unsubstantiated claim in usatoday.