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Ultra Impressive
While it’s only launched in the US and UK so far, UltraViolet – an innovative digital home entertainment service – is looking to launch here this year.
It's no secret that the last few years have seen a dramatic change in the way audiences view film and television thanks largely to the likes of YouTube, Facebook, iTunes, sites such as Bit Torrent, the various Video On Demand and streaming services becoming available, as well as the increase in web based series. Not to mention the influx of devices all the media we love to watch is now available on. So what's next? Don't worry, the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE) is on the case. They're a cross-industry consortium dedicated to creating a consumer-friendly open market for digital content distribution.
The beginning of the year saw the annual International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas - the best of the best (and a few unknowns) telling us how we're all going to live and what we're going to be using in the not too distant future.
This year saw an update on the much anticipated UltraViolet. A system the DECE were specifically formed to develop and operate. UltraViolet is a personal digital library system entered around a shared, cloud-based account and open industry platform that has already seen 750,000 homes register for the program after its initial release of 19 UltraViolet-enabled titles.
The growth of this system - which lets you download a film and then watch (and share it) how, when and where you want - is set to be exponential with a whole host of Hollywood studios coming on board to offer UltraViolet enabled DVDs, Blu-rays and electronic sell-throughs for both feature films and television series. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group are already on board, and set to release a slew of catalogue titles including Moneyball, J. Edgar, Happy Feet 2 and Big Bang Theory to name just a few. So far UltraViolet titles can be accessed via a wide range of Android/iOS devices, as well as PCs and Macs.
Mark Teitell, Executive Director of DECE said, "We have entered 2012 with significant momentum... As consumers begin to build digital libraries and take advantage of this open and interoperable platform, they will increasingly benefit from the convenience, choice and flexibility that UltraViolet will deliver to the home video market."
With the huge amount of devices and operating systems out there forcing consumers to download multiple formats, the first half of 2012 will see the DECE introduce a Common File Format for downloads, making download functionality consistent across all UltraViolet retailers regardless of media player apps or devices. The only obstacle to UltraViolet at the moment is iTunes' and Walt Disney's non-involvement, but we predict this will be resolved by the time it reaches our shores.
So far this technology is only available in the US and UK with Canada set for the coming months and a score of other international territories firmly set in their sights. Teitell adds, "As the roll-out expands globally, additional geographic launches will benefit from the experience and data we are gathering through our US and UK deployments." So Australia, stay tuned...
For more information on UltraViolet, visit their website.