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Disney ‘Movies Anywhere’ adds flicks from Fox, Warner, Sony and Universal
Frustrated with the current state of DVD/Blu-ray digital copies and buying movies from online stores like Vudu or iTunes? A new connection between studios and stores may be the best fix we'll get, now that Fox, Sony Pictures, Universal and Warner Bros (but not Paramount and Lionsgate, so far) have linked their libraries to Disney's Movies Anywhere setup. Confirming rumors from earlier this week, the Keychest-powered system that Disney has used for its own movies since 2014 will now unlock movies from all of those studios, covering over 7,300 titles. If you haven't used Movies Anywhere with a Disney, Pixar, Marvel or Lucasfilm flick, it's very similar to the Ultraviolet system the other studios have focused on until now. Once you create an account you can watch movies through its app and website, or through stores that participate with it, which include iTunes, Amazon Video, Vudu and Google Play. Linking the accounts is relatively painless, and for a limited time, viewers can unlock access to five free movies (Big Hero 6, Ghostbusters (2016), Ice Age Jason Bourne (2016), The Lego Movie) by doing so.
Disney, Fox, Warner and Universal may team up on downloadable movies
After nearly a decade of battling between movie lockers, Disney may finally have support from other studios. According to a report from Bloomberg, "several major Hollywood film studios" are signed up to participate in a new film service with Disney, including Fox, Warner and Universal. Since 2010, most of the industry has relied on Ultraviolet to enable cross-store digital movie ownership, with the exception of Disney, which launched its own Movies Anywhere service in 2014. Most of us got our first taste of the systems that link purchases across stores like iTunes, or Amazon via digital copy codes included with DVDs and Blu-rays. The studios hope that by finally banding together, they can convince customers to buy more movies instead of relying on subscription services or other avenues to get their flicks. There's no word about what might happen to studio support for Ultraviolet, or stores that support it like Walmart's Vudu, but Disney Movies Anywhere currently links to iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, FiOS and not Microsoft. The other major studios, Lionsgate and Paramount, are reportedly "supportive" but aren't joining yet.
Vudu's digital movie library is rebuilt and easier to use on iOS
If you're unwrapping the inevitable flood of Blu-ray gifts (hopefully no DVDs), it may be worth giving that digital copy code a second look. The movie studios' Ultraviolet scheme has been unwieldy (at best) since launch, but several upgrades have made it easier to use, and the Vudu store specifically is getting better at bringing your movies to whatever device you own. Its latest upgrade is much-needed UI refresh, which launched on many set-top boxes (PlayStation, Roku, Blu-ray players etc.) last month, and has now arrived for the iPhone and iPad.
Disney Movies Anywhere service comes to Android with a link to Google Play
After years of development Disney unveiled its digital movie service on iOS earlier this year and today it's coming to Android too. When it launched, Disney Movies Anywhere had an unprecedented deep link to iTunes, and now on Android it's sharing a similar tie with Google Play. For users it's apparently as seamless as can be -- as long as they have a Disney account, any movies they unlock will be viewable on either family of devices (or the DMA website). The agreement covers access to around 400 Disney, Pixar and Marvel movies, and to make the sign-up worth your while, Disney is throwing in a free copy of Wreck-it Ralph for anyone that signs up and links an account. Going cross-platform makes Disney's KeyChest-based system much more appealing -- and conveniently timed for the launch of Nexus Player / Android TV -- but we're still waiting to see if a tie-up with the likes of Amazon or Ultraviolet can fulfill the promise of unlocking a single copy in one store or with a Blu-ray / DVD purchase, and then being able to watch it anywhere, on any device. The Android app isn't live yet(update: here it is), but you can check out a demo video for now (embedded after the break).
Vudu's 'Share My Movies' lets up to five friends peek into your library
While Ultraviolet digital copies have been pitched as a way to make watching videos online easier, so far they've lead to frustration for many users. A recent incident involving the early release of Veronica Mars for Kickstarter backers was a low point, Apple, Google and Microsoft all have yet to tie their services in, and now Disney is finally rolling out its own Movies Anywhere system. To get back on the positive foot, Walmart's Vudu streaming service is shining a light on Ultraviolet's ability to let users share their library with up to five friends (no, it's not quite as easy as sharing a PS4 game). Now available within Vudu under the title of "Share My Movies" it lets users add friends to their library just by sending an e-mail invite. Ultraviolet supports up to three simultaneous streams, so you can even watch movies at the same time. According to the FAQ, once your Vudu account is linked to another person's library, any TV shows or movies you purchase will be added to that library, so you may want to be careful which ones you add. Done right between a few friends, it can probably add up to a decent online library of movies to watch just from Blu-ray discs and DVDs you already own -- check the blog post for more information.
Kaleidescape's digital store adds $2 Blu-ray-to-digital copy upgrades
Kaleidescape arrived at this year's CEDIA event with a couple of fresh news items to accompany its mainstream-adjacent $3,995 Cinema One player. Its online Kaleidescape Store is getting a boost by adding the ability for customers to add digital copies for their existing Blu-ray discs. At launch it only supported DVDs, but now customers can get high quality, discless access to movies they already own HD editions of, just by putting a disc in the player. The price for Ultraviolet access across devices and an excuse to stop getting up from the couch to put the disc in (although, if you'd like to buy an expensive disc changer instead we're sure Kaleidescape won't argue) is $1.99, so choose wisely. Finally, the company is expanding access to the store, which has opened its virtual doors in Canada for the first time, in addition to the US and the UK, where it launched back in May.
Pacific Rim tries out the Super Ticket theater + digital download combo in Canada
In June, Paramount and Regal Theaters tried out a $50 "Mega Ticket" promotion for World War Z, and this month Warner Bros. is testing out a similar package in Canada for Pacific Rim. Available at Cineplex theaters, it lets moviegoers pre-buy a digital Ultraviolet copy of the movie for $19.99 ($24.99 in HD) that's promised to arrive before anyone else can get it, plus 725 points for its loyalty program and some exclusive extra content, all viewable on the CineplexStore website. Unlike the WWZ promo this doesn't include an early screenings before the movie's July 12th release, but it does mean any ticket can be upgraded to the "Super Ticket" package. That the flick was shot in Toronto probably has a lot to do with the location for the offer, although it's hard to say what's needed to convince viewers to check out an action movie already getting glowing reviews from Hideo Kojima and Kanye West. Of course we'll miss the MegaTicket's included small popcorn ($75 value!), but this could be getting closer to a decent proposition -- what price would convince you to combine your movie ticket / home video copy in one purchase?
BBC Worldwide announces first four Blu-ray / DVDs with UltraViolet digital copies
Coming nearly on the anniversary of its US launch, the UltraViolet digital locker system is getting a boost in the UK from BBC Worldwide. The BBC's commercial wing is releasing four Blu-ray / DVD titles that are UltraViolet-enabled and is partnering with Warner-owned Flixster to allow users to redeem their copies. The digital versions are available via streaming and downloading for viewing on or offline, and the first four titles queued up consist of Doctor Who Series 7 Part One, Rollercoaster, a new Top Gear special and Attenborough: 60 Years in the Wild. UltraViolet was already live in the UK, and recently announced it's spreading to cover Canada, Ireland and Australia. We'll see how users like the signup process with its multiple logins, but a quick check of previous Blu-ray releases didn't show any iTunes or Windows Media digital copies at all so at least they'll appreciate the option.
Warner quietly extends the expiration dates of digital copies, discs remain ornamental
Missed out on claiming digital copies of video included with your discs because the expiration dates have passed? Well, Warner Bros. wants to make such frustrations a mere memory, as Tech of the Hub has found it's silently updated the use-by dates of a significant portion of its catalogue. By browsing the WB digital copy support page, it's evident most titles are now available until May 17th 2017, although we did find several exceptions. Some may discover that despite the extension their original codes won't work, but Gabe at Tech of the Hub was swiftly provided with fresh and functional ones when he notified WB, so we assume you'll get the same treatment. With streaming support now available for many of these digital copies through iCloud and expiration dates a thing of the far future, there's never been a better time to pack those shelves with limited editions and classic re-releases.
New York artist fashions dead drop from dying hardware, mounts DVD burner in city wall
The optical drive may be making its exit in the world of personal computing, but at least it seems to still have a place in artistic architecture. Aram Bartholl -- the man behind New York City's infamous USB dead drops -- has installed a DVD burner into the side of the Museum of the Moving Image to promote HOT, an art exhibition described as "a group show about video that is not video." Passersby who pop in a blank DVD-R will be rewarded with a digital copy of the show and the satisfaction of finally having something to do with their aging stash of unused optical media. Just how do you install PC hardware in a museum wall? Drill an enormous hole, of course -- check out a video of the installation for yourself after the break.
HBO and Fox cut a deal to keep the movies flowing through 2022, HBO Nordic launches soon
Just in case you only thought Amazon, Netflix and Redbox were working the studio deals, HBO announced today it's worked out an extension of its agreement with 20th Century Fox. Already the "premium network home" of Fox flicks for more than 30 years, this deal is long enough to keep it going into the next decade. The LA Times reports from its sources the original deal would have expired in 2015, while the extension pushes it out to 2022 at a price of over $200 million per year. One key adjustment that's been made for the digital age gives Fox the ability to continue to sell its movies over digital stores even while they're airing on HBO unlike the previous deal, although we're told this provision does not extend to rentals during that time. That's on top of a previous tweak negotiated months ago that let Fox and other HBO partners provide digital copies of their movies on services like iTunes from the Cloud and Ultraviolet during the HBO pay window. One other note is that on the same day Netflix revealed its service is coming to several Scandinavian locales, HBO announced it's doing the same, launching HBO Nordic in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark.
Marvel's The Avengers Blu-ray hits September 25th, iOS second screen app this month (video)
We don't have any more details yet on the 10-disc Marvel Cinematic Universe set that popped up on Amazon a month ago, but Disney and Marvel have revealed we can expect Marvel's The Avengers on Blu-ray September 25th. It will be shipping in the usual assortment of combo packs: four disc with Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD, Digital copy and digital download or two disc Blu-ray and DVD combo for $50 / $40 MSRP (respectively, Amazon currently lists the four disc set for $35). What will arrive first this month however, is The Avengers Initiative: A Marvel Second Screen App, available on iPad and, for the first time for one of Disney's second screen apps, iPhone. Marvel is promising bi-weekly content updates until September when it moves up to weekly updates of character profiles, interactive comic books and more before the movie even arrives. Extras on disc will include 7.1 DTS-HD MA audio, a gag reel, behind the scenes looks with director Joss Whedon and cast, deleted scenes and more. Check the press release after the break for the full list, plus a new trailer for the Blu-ray.
Paramount Movies Ultraviolet app released for Xbox 360
It appears that Microsoft is picking up the pace on the addition of video streaming apps for the Xbox 360. After it took months for many of the more anticipated apps from the first wave like HBO Go, Verizon and Comcast to arrive, a new app from Paramount has been released just days after it was part of the next wave announced at E3. The Paramount Movies app is a console based version of its Ultraviolet service already unleashed on the PC and iOS, letting users stream digital copies from their cloud libraries. While the overall Ultraviolet sign-up process and its multiple logins hasn't gotten any easier, once we created a ParamountMovies.com account we were able to stream a copy of Hugo unlocked by the Blu-ray 3D version in HD just by signing into the free app (XBL gold subscription required) on the Xbox 360 -- no antiquated discs necessary. There's no word on the other apps Microsoft announced were headed to the Xbox 360, but we'll keep an eye out for the arrival of WatchESPN all the same.
Jaws debuts on Blu-ray August 14th remastered and upmixed (video)
Universal Pictures promised it would celebrate its centennial by bringing classics out of the vaults and onto Blu-ray discs and now one of our most anticipated flicks, Jaws, finally has a release date. Steven Spielberg's 1975 hit will come home in "digitally remastered and fully restored" form with an upmixed 7.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack August 14th. The soundtrack and picture have both been carefully restored in a process undertaken in conjunction with Spielberg and Amblin Entertainment, as they went back to the original 35mm film and repaired it frame by frame. Also packed in will be four hours of bonus features, including an all new documentary The Shark Is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of Jaws. If you're wondering about the restoration process, there are a couple of samples included after the break, plus a video about it and teaser trailer for the Blu-ray disc -- we're gonna need a bigger boat.
HBO in talks to relax iCloud ban on Universal, Fox movies for Apple TV
Remember when it was revealed that Fox and Universal's movie libraries wouldn't be able to stream via iCloud to your Apple TV? The reason was that both studios were locked into an exclusive window with HBO. Fortunately, the cable channel is already entering into negotiations with the studios to relax that rule for people who have already bought their movies -- having already done so for stablemate Warner Bros. A settlement is expected to be forthcoming in the next few weeks, at which point we can get back to the important things in life: the second series of Game of Thrones.
HBO confirms negotiations with Fox and Universal for iCloud video streaming
You may recall that after last week's introduction of the new Apple TV, we noted that Fox and Universal weren't providing iCloud video streaming content due to existing contractual obligations with HBO. Well, that's a temporary situation, as the Wall Street Journal is reporting that HBO is working with Fox and Universal to give the studios a bit more leeway in providing films for distribution for streaming services. HBO spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year to get "exclusive windows" during which HBO has the right to show movies on its channels and through the online service HBO Go. The company is in negotiations to allow users of iCloud and other services to send movies that they already own to other devices. According to sources at Fox and Universal, the iCloud restrictions should be lifted in the near future. HBO already loosened the ties on Warner Bros. content, which is why that studio was listed as a streaming content provider during the Apple event. In other television / movie news, CBS CEO Leslie Moonves told the Hollywood Reporter that he was approached by Steve Jobs about providing the network's shows to a subscription content service. Moonves said that he had concerns that the service could disrupt the traditional revenue streams for CBS, and that Jobs strongly disagreed with him -- not unsurprising, knowing the late Apple CEO's penchant for always being right. [via MacRumors]
Daily Update for March 9, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Digital Copy videos now available via iCloud
With no fanfare during the recent iPad / Apple TV event, Apple has quietly rolled out the availability of Digital Copy for the Apple TV via iCloud. The capability is similar to that of UltraViolet, the digital copy mechanism that accompanies the purchase of most Blu-ray DVDs. As with UV, you use the Digital Copy unlock code to stream an HD copy to your updated (you did update your Apple TV, didn't you?) Apple TV and authorize a downloadable file. Tech of the Hub notes that they were able to watch a previously activated Digital Copy of Star Trek in 720p, with the assumption that the copy would appear in 1080p on the new Apple TV. The movie was also available on an iPhone running iOS 5.1. Other movies don't appear to be available in HD; the site mentions that Kick-Ass was just a high-quality standard definition digital copy. Not all movies will work in this way. There are licensing issues with both Fox and Universal content right now, so you won't be able to get your Digital Copy for movies from those studios. Apple has a page that describes the process of adding your Digital Copy to iTunes for those who want to try it with an updated Apple TV. [via Engadget]
OrcaM sphere constructs detailed, digital 3D models of wares while you wait (video)
Ever wanted a 3D digital copy of all those Little League trophies? Well, the NEK has whipped up something to lend a hand that's a bit larger than another recent scanner. Enter the OrcaM, an Orbital Camera System capable of producing an accurate, digital 3D model of objects up to 80cm (about 31.5 inches) wide and weighing up to 100kg (around 220lbs). Making use of seven shooters simultaneously, the system photographs the object while projecting various light and shadow combinations in order to determine the ware's geometry. The OrcaM is able to reproduce high-quality digital reproductions with a geometric accuracy less than millimeter (nearly .04 inches). As if that wasn't enough, it produces complete color, texture and reflectivity maps so that every minute detail is accounted for. Once your to-be-copied object has been loaded, the OrcaM takes over and is automatic, churning out the completed rendering shortly after the requisite photos are taken. Hit the video up top for a look at the beast in action.
Transformers Blu-ray 3D comes home January 31st in Ultimate and Collector's editions
After a quickie Blu-ray dropped in the fall sans-extras, Transformers: Dark of the Moon is getting a full fledged release January 31st complete with 3D and four hours of bonus features. There's actually two versions coming, first up is the $39.99 four disc Ultimate Edition with a 2D copy on one disc, a Blu-ray full of extras, a Blu-ray 3D copy, and a DVD with the film in standard def plus iTunes / Windows Media Player compatible digital copies. Even though it's coming with that old school digital copy disc, this flick will also be Ultraviolet ready, so if you're packing the correct assortment of logins and software it can be downloaded or streamed on other devices. The other release is a $99 seven-disc Limited Collector's Edition Blu-ray Trilogy set that dedicates two discs each to the first two movies, and three for DotM as well as a signed plaque from the director. We may have to wait to see Martin Scorsese's Hugo to see a Blu-ray 3D release to watch a good movie on the format, but the extensive work done in creating Transformer's visual effects should definitely hold over AV junkies until Avatar gets a wide release. Check out the press release with a full list of extras and a picture of the LCE after the break.
