Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

I don't agree that Digital Copy + is a way to "punt" UV implementation by Disney, as you put it. I think it is more of a way to transition to the format. In other words, customers will get used to the idea of redeeming digital copies from multiple vendors other than iTunes. Once Disney fans have a small collection of films on vudu, and they see how easy and convenient it is, they may not oppose it so much like they do now. Then when Disney does announce that it is going to offer UV on their films, there won't be as much of an outcry from the tech newsmedia.

many studios are DECE members and also offer digital copy from vendors who are not DECE members. Paramount for instance is a DECE member and have digital copy redemptions via UV, but also offer digital copy via iTunes.

Disney need not forgo DECE membership and also offer the same digital copy redemptions.

I feel the Digital Copy plus is a way they are trying to have their cake and eat it too.

I may be wrong though. I really have no way of knowing their business intentions.

My goal is really quite simple. I want to bring a pallet full of disney titles into my local WalMart photo counter via a fork lift for D2D conversion. Not being able to do so is admittedly frustrating. Perhaps I am over reading the tea leaves as a result.

[echopulse]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

I don't agree that Digital Copy + is a way to "punt" UV implementation by Disney, as you put it. I think it is more of a way to transition to the format. In other words, customers will get used to the idea of redeeming digital copies from multiple vendors other than iTunes. Once Disney fans have a small collection of films on vudu, and they see how easy and convenient it is, they may not oppose it so much like they do now. Then when Disney does announce that it is going to offer UV on their films, there won't be as much of an outcry from the tech newsmedia.

[Squatting Hen]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

By the way....Peter Pan Return to Neverland (Aug 20) is also a Vudu/Amazon Digital Copy only title...unless something changes after today.

[lostinva]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

Disney not supporting HD DVD no doubt worked in Blu-ray's favor, so in the end that's all that matters. Let Disney "own" the honor of doing what's best for the industry and the consumers by convincing them to go UV.

[Squatting Hen]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

From what I remember (as rumors) there was a huge announcement planned for Toshiba at CES, with the rumor being Fox and Warner were going to switch to HD-DVD exclusively. Sony got wind and "convinced" Fox not to make the switch. With that news, Warner then decided to end the format war and drop HD-DVD.


It appears from reports at the time, money decided the formart war.

[lostinva]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

That looks good. However, I do disagree with the statement that Disney itself brought the end to the format war. Disney was never invested in HD DVD that I'm aware of. In my mind what really sealed the deal were the studios who either supported both formats (such as Warner) or were HD DVD only, deciding to drop the format, leaving no major studios supporting it.

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

Not UltraViolet or Disc to Digital. Wrong forum?

Seriously, though, I'm probably wasting my time holding my breath. However, I haven't purchased any Disney movies because they are not UltraViolet. For folks who really want them to join UV, you aren't helping by purchasing DC+, which is a poor substitute for UltraViolet support.

Well Said. I sent them the below e-mail just yesterday:

"Disney Studios,

Hello. I am writing to ask why titles from your studio, and your studio alone, are not available in the Ultraviolet eco-system.

Recently, DigitalCopy+ was released and Vudu who is a UV vendor, was made available. This was ironically hurtful. It indicated to me the decision for the studio to join DECE has been 'punted' into the future.

Disney Studios is the last remaining major Hollywood studio who has not joined DECE. The failure to join DECE is leaving a format war in the iVoD market raging, much like what was present during the HD-DVD and Bluray Disc days.

Disney studios ended that format war by going Bluray Disc exclusive. So too, Disney Studios can end this format war by joining DECE and going UV exclusive.

I am a very loyal Disney movie customer. I wanted to inform you that I have suspended the purchase of any new titles until Disney Studios joins DECE.

DigitalCopy+ including Vudu is not an appeasement to me.

Sincerely,"

[olarmy96]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

Not UltraViolet or Disc to Digital. Wrong forum?

Seriously, though, I'm probably wasting my time holding my breath. However, I haven't purchased any Disney movies because they are not UltraViolet. For folks who really want them to join UV, you aren't helping by purchasing DC+, which is a poor substitute for UltraViolet support.

[Chuckstyle]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

This is true. However, every indication was DigitalCopy+ would have three providers to choose from. If it is a guess for each title what provider will be available, there is a lot of customers who do not know what to expect.

I would be like buying a car, but not knowing what color it is going to be coming in.

I would completely agree, if this became an unpredictable roller coaster where different formats are available on different movies. However, it would seem that Oz was the odd movie to offer both iTunes as well as Vudu and Amazon. The past two weeks, all digital copies have been consistently Vudu and Amazon. No guarantees here, but my money is on this being the new normal.

I'll throw my hand up for that D2D as well though, as the thought of buying new copies of Disney movies just to get a Vudu copy makes me want to puke.

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

I just picked up the Muppet Movie. Redeemed DigitalCopyPlus...only Vudu and Amazon. No iTunes...looks like Apple is being left out in the cold. Now if Disney would make their back catalog available for conversion via d2d I'll be in hog heaven, and a bit more poorer.

My life will cease to exist as I know it if Disney D2D occurs.

The children will be easting one hot meal a day. A bowl of steam. For B-fast story time. We can all get a little more gaunt. It will be a character building exercise, right?

[alexweb1000]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

Like previous post, just got Peterpan Return to Neverland and added it thru digitalcopyplus and just gave me the option of Vudu and Amazon and not iTunes. Even though the movies is going to be released in a week Im able to play it in HDX format. Would love to see the movies gain UV status but im still happy with disney at least letting us use Vudu as an option.

[Gnatevil]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

I just picked up the Muppet Movie. Redeemed DigitalCopyPlus...only Vudu and Amazon. No iTunes...looks like Apple is being left out in the cold. Now if Disney would make their back catalog available for conversion via d2d I'll be in hog heaven, and a bit more poorer.

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

Actually, I would argue that much of the above text is incorrect. In fact, what is clear is that on every single release that included digital copy right up through Oz, the packaging said "works with iTunes" and displayed the iTunes logo. The Windows Media logo was also on display until just prior to Oz.

In the releases since then, those logos are clearly not present. For anyone at all who is a collector of digital copies, they have all noticed a very strong shift in the digital copy provider going from iTunes to Ultraviolet over the last year or two, with many movies still offering both.

However, what is crystal clear is that in no way did the packaging on any of the post-Oz movies indicate that their digital copy was going to be iTunes compatible.

This is true. However, every indication was DigitalCopy+ would have three providers to choose from. If it is a guess for each title what provider will be available, there is a lot of customers who do not know what to expect.

It would be like buying a car, but not knowing what color it is going to be coming in.

[Chuckstyle]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

...So, I have been participating in the blu-ray.com thread where the folks who bought the blu-ray combo pack went to redeem their digital copy and found iTunes absent.

They are upset.

I am encouraged to see Disney Studios release a few titles with digital copies excluding iTunes, because them feeling at liberty to do so may be indication of their leaning toward DECE membership. However, doing so without prior warning was unfair.

Disney Studios has always had an iTunes option. It was reasonable to expect there to be on on the "Robin Hood" 40th re-release and the "Sword in the Stone" diamond. Them being purchased in good faith that iTunes would be an option and not finding out otherwise until the DC+ code is attempting to be used was unfair.

It is really a case of bait and switch.

However, just leaving it to be discovered at the time of trying to redeem a DC+ code was a wrong way to do it. That much is clear.

Actually, I would argue that much of the above text is incorrect. In fact, what is clear is that on every single release that included digital copy right up through Oz, the packaging said "works with iTunes" and displayed the iTunes logo. The Windows Media logo was also on display until just prior to Oz.

In the releases since then, those logos are clearly not present. For anyone at all who is a collector of digital copies, they have all noticed a very strong shift in the digital copy provider going from iTunes to Ultraviolet over the last year or two, with many movies still offering both.

However, what is crystal clear is that in no way did the packaging on any of the post-Oz movies indicate that their digital copy was going to be iTunes compatible.

[Walter-S_North_Carolina]

Re: Disney and Vudu - Tell Disney Thank You!

...So, I have been participating in the blu-ray.com thread where the folks who bought the blu-ray combo pack went to redeem their digital copy and found iTunes absent.

They are upset.

I am encouraged to see Disney Studios release a few titles with digital copies excluding iTunes, because them feeling at liberty to do so may be indication of their leaning toward DECE membership. However, doing so without prior warning was unfair.

Disney Studios has always had an iTunes option. It was reasonable to expect there to be on on the "Robin Hood" 40th re-release and the "Sword in the Stone" diamond. Them being purchased in good faith that iTunes would be an option and not finding out otherwise until the DC+ code is attempting to be used was unfair.

It is really a case of bait and switch.

IMHO, the iTunes loyalest have good reason to be upset.

Just think if we went to redeem a future title and went to go enter our DC+ code to find Vudu absent w/o prior warning.

I would be just as mad as they are and I can not find reason to fault them.

I do think there are two reasons why Disney Studios made this decision.

First, and most likely the main reason; They were able to by-pass the iTunes cost with a digital copy distribution that Apple, Corp is famous for charging studios.

Secondly, it may well be a "shot across the bow" for Disney loyal customers to let them know that iTunes may not be a long term solution and a transition is necessary. Disney Studios not belonging to DECE is in no small amount causing pressure on them to join ranks with all the other major Hollywood studios.

which is the real reason they made this decision is left to speculation.

However, just leaving it to be discovered at the time of trying to redeem a DC+ code was a wrong way to do it. That much is clear.