XBox One, PS4, DRM, and You

[RancidLunchmeat]

Suppose the PS4 is more appealing for next gen because of some exclusives, or 50% better GPU, or some other reason, and your purchased media is locked in Microsoft platforms, you're stuck.

Or if the Xbox One is more appealing for next gen because of some exclusives, or Kinect-2 or TV, or some other reason, and your purchased media is locked in Sony platforms, you're stuck.

However, all your blurays are fine either way, it'll play in your single device. If Ultraviolet picks up and comes with all bluray purchases, you get... everything.

Huh? How is it better to have to have the physical disc in order to watch a movie than it is to have it in the cloud and available anywhere at any time on any device as long as you log in with your account?

All the movies that I've purchased off of Live are available to me right now, and if I go to my friend's house with an Xbox, I can log it and they are available, or if I go across the nation to visit my parent's, I can log in to Live from their computer and watch the movies. All without having to bring the Blu-ray discs with me, or even worrying about if they have a Blu-Ray player. As long as they have a computer, we're golden.

I would hope that purchases from Sony via the PS3 would work the same way, but I can't speak to that. And considering the amount of vitreal from Sony fanboys about this, I'm guessing that unfortunately, they don't.

 

[MrFox]

Huh? How is it better to have to have the physical disc in order to watch a movie than it is to have it in the cloud and available anywhere at any time on any device as long as you log in with your account?

All the movies that I've purchased off of Live are available to me right now, and if I go to my friend's house with an Xbox, I can log it and they are available, or if I go across the nation to visit my parent's, I can log in to Live from their computer and watch the movies. All without having to bring the Blu-ray discs with me, or even worrying about if they have a Blu-Ray player. As long as they have a computer, we're golden.

I would hope that purchases from Sony via the PS3 would work the same way, but I can't speak to that. And considering the amount of vitreal from Sony fanboys about this, I'm guessing that unfortunately, they don't.

Of course, if I have a PS3, and suppose I'd buy a lot of DD films, they'll certainly work on the PS4. (as long as the servers are maintained)

But if I decide to switch brand, and get an xbox one, I lose all my films, unless I keep my PS3 plugged in, and then I have the hellish situation where all my old films need my PS3 to view them, and all my new films need my xbox one. If I switch brand again next next gen, and go with the amazing Nintendo Wiiuui, I'm now stuck with three consoles which I need to remember which film needs which console to play. None of these three companies will let you play what you purchased on another console.

That problem has nothing to do with either Sony or Microsoft, it's a universal problem.

 

[eastmen]

Except the difference between MS and sony is platforms. My phone , Tablet , PC and gaming system all can play my xbox videos . What can I do with my psn movies currently ?

 

[RancidLunchmeat]

I knew that content was watchable on 360, PC, tablet, or smartphone, but I wasn't sure if XB1 was included because Microsoft hasn't talked about it yet. One would think it would, but after the past week or so anything is possible. LOL

Why would they need to address something that isn't changing? I can go to your house, right now, log into your computer while your wife is using your 360 to watch Netflix, and watch any of the movies that I've previously purchased through Live. How could this even possibly change? I don't need a 360 to watch the movies currently.

Currently my collection of movies is pretty much all DVD. Though the wife did buy I think 1 or 2 movies that were Bluray/DVD/Digital combo since they were cheaper. I have yet to watch a single Bluray.

Yep, and that was my point. I know lots of people that have lots and lots (and lots) of DVDs. I don't know anybody who has lots of Blu-Ray movies, because the people with Blu-Ray players also have Netflix rentals or digital downloads and they simply don't need to buy volumes of Blu-Ray movies.

 

[RancidLunchmeat]

Of course, if I have a PS3, and suppose I'd buy a lot of DD films, they'll certainly work on the PS4. (as long as the servers are maintained)

But if I decide to switch brand, and get an xbox one, I lose all my films, unless I keep my PS3 plugged in, and then I have the hellish situation where all my old films need my PS3 to view them, and all my new films need my xbox one. If I switch brand again next next gen, and go with the amazing Nintendo Wiiuui, I'm now stuck with three consoles which I need to remember which film needs which console to play. None of these three companies will let you play what you purchased on another console.

That problem has nothing to do with either Sony or Microsoft, it's a universal problem.

Huh? No, that seems to be a uniquely Sony problem. Because if you buy content on the 360, that content is available via phone, tablet, PC, or the 360. So you don't "lose" anything. If you are losing content, that's because Sony is only selling you something that is locked to the PS3.

That's a horrible situation, my condolences.

 

[MrFox]

Huh? No, that seems to be a uniquely Sony problem. Because if you buy content on the 360, that content is available via phone, tablet, PC, or the 360. So you don't "lose" anything. If you are losing content, that's because Sony is only selling you something that is locked to the PS3.

That's a horrible situation, my condolences.

No I think it's the same thing with Sony's Video Unlimited, they have an app on Vita, PS3, Tablets, Phones, bluray players, even some TVs have it. There's a PC app too, but I since never bought any films, nor downloaded the app, I can't say if it works well or not. (because I don't have windows anywhere, so neither Sony or Microsoft would work)

Nevermind that, I'm talking about consoles which are now supposed to be the central entertainment device in your living room? One Device? What if you decide to move away from microsoft next gen because the competition offer a better console?

 

[dagamer]

Suppose the PS4 is more appealing for next gen because of some exclusives, or 50% better GPU, or some other reason, and your purchased media is locked in Microsoft platforms, you're stuck.

Or if the Xbox One is more appealing for next gen because of some exclusives, or Kinect-2 or TV, or some other reason, and your purchased media is locked in Sony platforms, you're stuck.

However, all your blurays are fine either way, it'll play in your single device. If Ultraviolet picks up and comes with all bluray purchases, you get... everything.

This is why I'm more than happy to convert films I own to Ultraviolet at $2 a pop but absolutely will never support any DRM content system that is tied to one platform. It better be on everything otherwise it's a no go for me. It's why I even bother with Amazon Kindle books.

 

[-tkf-]

As long as I log into Live with my gamertag, I have access to all that content.

With Microsoft it's most likely to be that way, but there is no sure way of knowing if it stays that way.

n April 2008, Microsoft announced that the DRM servers for MSN Music would be deactivated on 2008-08-31. After this date, it was no longer possible to reauthorize purchased songs when changing computers or operating systems.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSN_Music
In our other discussions on this subject i made a big deal of the lack of owner transfer on the licenses/purchases we make as DD. Why should i not be able to play a movie i bough on my PS3 on the XBOX 360, and visa versa. You essentially lock yourself to one platform with movies and music (with DRM). With games, well, it makes more sense since they wouldn't run on another platform

 

[Gubbi]

Why should i not be able to play a movie i bough on my PS3 on the XBOX 360, and visa versa. You essentially lock yourself to one platform with movies and music (with DRM). With games, well, it makes more sense since they wouldn't run on another platform

Which is why we see an onslaught of subscription based services. When changing services, you haven't lost anything.

I think we will see subscription based game services this gen too, something like $2-300 / year for an EA pass ($17-25 / month) for all the games you want to play.

Cheers

 

[eastmen]

With Microsoft it's most likely to be that way, but there is no sure way of knowing if it stays that way.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSN_Music
In our other discussions on this subject i made a big deal of the lack of owner transfer on the licenses/purchases we make as DD. Why should i not be able to play a movie i bough on my PS3 on the XBOX 360, and visa versa. You essentially lock yourself to one platform with movies and music (with DRM). With games, well, it makes more sense since they wouldn't run on another platform

MS took the drm off the music allowing you to back it up to cd and then rip it to any format you wanted.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

You essentially lock yourself to one platform with movies and music (with DRM).

That was, of course, the entire reason MS and Sony have chucked billions at these oft-unprofitable CE entertainment devices. They want people locked in. Of course consumers don't want, which is where open standard come in, but none exists yet for uiversal media playback and everyone vying for consumer 'entrapment'. The best thing to do IMHO is not buy anything until they get their damned act together. Buy a digital copy and have it play on every device you own by streaming it from the cloud to your device, using whatever registration system is necessary to ensure it's your device and not someone else using your account.

 

[AzBat]

This is why I'm more than happy to convert films I own to Ultraviolet at $2 a pop but absolutely will never support any DRM content system that is tied to one platform. It better be on everything otherwise it's a no go for me. It's why I even bother with Amazon Kindle books.

Thanks for that. I might consider using it. I already have about 5 Ultraviolet movies.

For others who are interested check out Walmart's Vudu Disc-to-Digital service...

http://www.vudu.com/disc_to_digital.html

Or the Beta In-Home Disc-to-Digital service...

http://www.vudu.com/in_home_disc_to_digital.html

DVD -> Standard Defintion $2
DVD -> High Definition $5
Bluray -> High Definition $2

Evidently both Best Buy's CinemaNow & Flixster offer beta disc-to-digital programs too...

http://www.flixster.com/#/addtocollection/d2d
http://www.cinemanow.com/disc_to_digital

What's the likely-hood that Microsoft will support Ultraviolet on the Xbox Video service? Same possibility that iTunes & Google Play will?

Tommy McClain

 

[BRiT]

What platforms even support UltraViolet? When I first looked at it, almost nothing supported it. I saw it as just another service with even more restrictions than current MS/Sony platforms.

 

[-tkf-]

Which is why we see an onslaught of subscription based services. When changing services, you haven't lost anything.

I think we will see subscription based game services this gen too, something like $2-300 / year for an EA pass ($17-25 / month) for all the games you want to play.

Cheers

I like subscription based services, netflix is pretty awesome for what it is ($14 pr month here), a buffet of tv-series and movies where you pick your own dinner. But it's what i use for those special movies that i want to enjoy to the fullest and there is a window where the license for the movies run, everything isn't online always.

MS took the drm off the music allowing you to back it up to cd and then rip it to any format you wanted.

Weird, i thought you could burn it to cd's from the start, like iTunes?

The best thing to do IMHO is not buy anything until they get their damned act together.

Question is who that should get their act together, my money is on the Movie industry, how come they are not able to provide a streaming service like Netflix with their own movies.. yes yes Sony might be stupid and decide to stay out of it, but still. Instead with DRM fragmenting everything they aren't doing themselves any favors.

 

[dagamer]

XBox One & PS4 DRM and You

What platforms even support UltraViolet? When I first looked at it, almost nothing supported it. I saw it as just another service with even more restrictions than current MS/Sony platforms.

Anywhere there is a Vudu app, you can stream an Ultraviolet movie. So that includes, 360, PS3, several smart TVs, Google TV, iOS, and Android, etc... If Microsoft is really serious about the Xbox One being your all-in-one entertainment box, they'll let you do the $2 disc-to-digital program right on the box such that you'll be able to watch a copy of Iron Man on your Xbox and Windows 8 machine without having to buy the movie directly on that service (which is what I really hate the most about platform lock-in).

Ideal scenario: buy Blu-ray movie, pay $2 for digital copy, stick disc on shelf, then say "Xbox Play Iron Man" any time you want to watch that movie. Any tech-inclined parent with kids would buy that shit immediately. No more ripping DVDs so the family can watch a movie without scratching a disc.

Lock me in with a great experience such that I never want to think about leaving!

 

[AzBat]

What platforms even support UltraViolet? When I first looked at it, almost nothing supported it. I saw it as just another service with even more restrictions than current MS/Sony platforms.

It's actually supported by a lot of platforms...

In the United States, UltraViolet is supported by Flixster, Walmart Vudu, Barnes & Noble Nook, Best Buy CinemaNow, and M-Go (a joint venture of DreamWorks Animation and Technicolor), as well as services from Sony Pictures, NBC Universal, and Paramount Pictures.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UltraViolet_(system)

I can access my UltraViolet content via Vudu, CinemaNow, Flixster or Paramount apps on my 360. Or you can access them via Roku or other devices that work with those apps. Here's the official partner list...

http://www.uvvu.com/partners.php

Tommy McClain

 

[AzBat]

If Microsoft is really serious about the Xbox One being your all-in-one entertainment box, they'll let you do the $2 disc-to-digital program right on the box such that you'll be able to watch a copy of Iron Man on your Xbox and Windows 8 machine without having to buy the movie directly on that service (which is what I really hate the most about platform lock-in).

That would be great if they had their own app to do that. Maybe build it into Xbox Video, but they might want 3rd party apps to do it themselves. Will be interesting to see how they approach that. They've always said digital/streaming was the way to go VS Bluray.

Tommy McClain

 

[MrFox]

Ultraviolet is just out of beta, it'll take time for the kinks to be ironed out, and get it working on everything. Being a universal standard not controlled by a big vendor, there's no billions to invest and shove it down people's throat, and to pay studios for support and publicity. So it's going to be a slow process.

Problem is that most vendors are in panic mode right now. They invest gobs of money to have their exclusives and it's getting worse. Disney refused to join Ultraviolet so far. Warner just pulled almost everything out of Netflix. And Netflix and Youtube have their exclusive in-house production. Apple refused to join Untraviolet for obvious reasons. Reminiscent of Universal HDDVD, just much worse. Companies wasting truckloads of money to prevent a standard from happening, because it's in the way of another vendor's bid to win this space. Studios are almost waiting for "Who wants to give me a billion for exclusivity? Anyone?", so why would they cooperate?

It's going to be another mess of trying to figure out which services are offering which film, every time you want to watch something.

 

[dagamer]

Ultraviolet is just out of beta, it'll take time for the kinks to be ironed out, and get it working on everything. Being a universal standard not controlled by a big vendor, there's no billions to invest and shove it down people's throat, and to pay studios for support and publicity. So it's going to be a slow process.

Problem is that most vendors are in panic mode right now. They invest gobs of money to have their exclusives and it's getting worse. Disney refused to join Ultraviolet so far. Warner just pulled almost everything out of Netflix. And Netflix and Youtube have their exclusive in-house production. Apple refused to join Untraviolet for obvious reasons. Reminiscent of Universal HDDVD, just much worse. Companies wasting truckloads of money to prevent a standard from happening, because it's in the way of another vendor's bid to win this space. Studios are almost waiting for "Who wants to give me a billion for exclusivity? Anyone?", so why would they cooperate?

It's going to be another mess of trying to figure out which services offers which film.

In the meantime I will have 2TB of compressed Bluray rips acquired from... somewhere just sitting on my NAS. I'd love to just trash them as there are better things to use that space.

 

[-tkf-]

Ultraviolet is just out of beta, it'll take time for the kinks to be ironed out, and get it working on everything. Being a universal standard not controlled by a big vendor, there's no billions to invest and shove it down people's throat, and to pay studios for support and publicity. So it's going to be a slow process.

Problem is that most vendors are in panic mode right now. They invest gobs of money to have their exclusives and it's getting worse. Disney refused to join Ultraviolet so far. Warner just pulled almost everything out of Netflix. And Netflix and Youtube have their exclusive in-house production. Apple refused to join Untraviolet for obvious reasons. Reminiscent of Universal HDDVD, just much worse. Companies wasting truckloads of money to prevent a standard from happening, because it's in the way of another vendor's bid to win this space. Studios are almost waiting for "Who wants to give me a billion for exclusivity? Anyone?", so why would they cooperate?

It's going to be another mess of trying to figure out which services are offering which film, every time you want to watch something.

Instead of accepting the hard facts, pissing billions in your pants to keep you warm will end up costing many more billions of ice cold money to easy solutions that is free. A universal supported DRM on movies would have Sony and Microsoft behind it as well. Strange that Netflix is allowed to earn money on "used movies" when the studios could earn that money themselves.