Veronica Mars 'snafu' gives UV a black eye

[diamond204]

Re: Veronica Mars 'snafu' gives UV a black eye

Agreed, UV providers need to ensure their signup and redemption process is as simple as possible, and Vudu is a great example of that.

From any point of entry, such as D2D, purchasing or renting, or UV code entry, 1. Sign up (or in) for a free Vudu Account 2. Create a new UV account (or enter existing if not already linked) 3. Enjoy your 5 free movies instantly plus whatever other transaction you wanted originally

That is pretty simple. And all the providers need to follow suit if they haven't already. Whatever the naysayers are complaining about, that is just as simple as Disney Movies Anywhere, which is the closest system to UV (iTunes by itelf doesn't count since it is a closed system).

[BlakkMajik3000]

Re: Veronica Mars 'snafu' gives UV a black eye

Agreed, UV providers need to ensure their signup and redemption process is as simple as possible, and Vudu is a great example of that.

From any point of entry, such as D2D, purchasing or renting, or UV code entry, 1. Sign up (or in) for a free Vudu Account 2. Create a new UV account (or enter existing if not already linked) 3. Enjoy your 5 free movies instantly plus whatever other transaction you wanted originally

That is pretty simple. And all the providers need to follow suit if they haven't already. Whatever the naysayers are complaining about, that is just as simple as Disney Movies Anywhere, which is the closest system to UV (iTunes by itelf doesn't count since it is a closed system).

What you are suggesting would give Vudu preferential treatment, and that would be bad. The main theme of UV is choice, and having a "preferred" provider would not sit will with folks at the other services. The providers, imo, should be competing on price and features outside of redeeming movies.

The fact is, the UV website should be the main portal for redemptions (and maybe even D2D). They store the licenses, so it only makes sense that they should redeem said licenses. This would greatly cut down on confusion and new users would have a much easier time getting into UV.

[echopulse]

Re: Veronica Mars 'snafu' gives UV a black eye

What you are suggesting would give Vudu preferential treatment, and that would be bad. The main theme of UV is choice, and having a "preferred" provider would not sit will with folks at the other services. The providers, imo, should be competing on price and features outside of redeeming movies.

The fact is, the UV website should be the main portal for redemptions (and maybe even D2D). They store the licenses, so it only makes sense that they should redeem said licenses. This would greatly cut down on confusion and new users would have a much easier time getting into UV.

I agree, and DECE is working on a common redemption site that should go live later this year. The sooner the better. But they need to fix their site first.

[diamond204]

Re: Veronica Mars 'snafu' gives UV a black eye

What you are suggesting would give Vudu preferential treatment, and that would be bad. The main theme of UV is choice, and having a "preferred" provider would not sit will with folks at the other services. The providers, imo, should be competing on price and features outside of redeeming movies.

The fact is, the UV website should be the main portal for redemptions (and maybe even D2D). They store the licenses, so it only makes sense that they should redeem said licenses. This would greatly cut down on confusion and new users would have a much easier time getting into UV.

I'm actually not suggesting Vudu be a preferred provider, but something more along the lines that all UV providers have to follow a basic standard for signups and customer interface that is simple and does not frustrate new customers. Hopefully the new and improved UV official site will do that but we shall see.

[BlakkMajik3000]

Re: Veronica Mars 'snafu' gives UV a black eye

I'm actually not suggesting Vudu be a preferred provider, but something more along the lines that all UV providers have to follow a basic standard for signups and customer interface that is simple and does not frustrate new customers. Hopefully the new and improved UV official site will do that but we shall see.

I may have misunderstood your intent with your original post. I read it as Vudu should be the primary redemption source, whereas your recent post makes total sense.

I agree that Vudu is a prime example of how the process should be handled. However, I would argue that a couple of the "other guys" don't have complicated sign-ups. I actually opened my UV account while trying to redeem a code for The Dark Knight Rises on Flixster. Pretty painless.

[diamond204]

Re: Veronica Mars 'snafu' gives UV a black eye

I may have misunderstood your intent with your original post. I read it as Vudu should be the primary redemption source, whereas your recent post makes total sense.

I agree that Vudu is a prime example of how the process should be handled. However, I would argue that a couple of the "other guys" don't have complicated sign-ups. I actually opened my UV account while trying to redeem a code for The Dark Knight Rises on Flixster. Pretty painless.

Yes, probably a much bigger issue are codes that can only be redeemed on particular sites- that is very frustrating, esp. when a user just wants to stick with one provider.

[BlakkMajik3000]

Re: Veronica Mars 'snafu' gives UV a black eye

Yes, probably a much bigger issue are codes that can only be redeemed on particular sites- that is very frustrating, esp. when a user just wants to stick with one provider.

I agree, and it makes absolutely 0 sense. Then again, the movie industry itself is a very confusing business.

You would think that if a provider was UV, they would have access to all the same movies as any other UV provider. And from a technical perspective, they should all be using the same APIs (redemptions, license validation, etc.), so it doesn't make any sense whatsoever that Movie A can't be redeemed on Provider B. From what I understand, this is a huge issue with TV shows.

[terpfan1980]

Re: Veronica Mars 'snafu' gives UV a black eye

I agree, and it makes absolutely 0 sense. Then again, the movie industry itself is a very confusing business.

You would think that if a provider was UV, they would have access to all the same movies as any other UV provider. And from a technical perspective, they should all be using the same APIs (redemptions, license validation, etc.), so it doesn't make any sense whatsoever that Movie A can't be redeemed on Provider B. From what I understand, this is a huge issue with TV shows.

^- .equals. monopoly


Current situation = competition among the providers. While we may not like it that (most don't like it) Flixster has different rights agreements than does Vudu and vice versa, the fact that each negotiate their own agreements means that one may get better pricing than another and in turn they may be able to pass along to their customers (us).

The common api part is a good thing. Common license agreements wouldn't be so great.