Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 with UltraViolet digital copy will be a true test of the format when the Blu-ray Disc releases on Nov. 11, 2011. UltraViolet is a cloud-based digital library that allows you stream or download movies you have license to. You’ll be able to tell which movies or TV shows are eligible by the UltraViolet logo on the product, online and in stores.
Currently, only Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern and Horrible Bosses offer the UltraViolet copy. But before the end of the year, Cowboys & Aliens and Final Destination 5 among several other titles will contain a code to stream or download a copy, (even in HD quality). And, according to the UltraViolet Alliance, the technology will soon be available on titles from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (12/02/2011) and Universal Pictures (12/06/2011).
So far, Ultraviolet has been getting poor reviews on Amazon, with most reviewers referring to the hassle of having to sign up for both UltraViolet and Flixter, which apparently don’t share the same information and lack appropriate customer service. One reviewer says “I have spent 4 days now trying to get this so called “digital copy.” Reviews also complain about the inability to view the digital copy in iTunes, trouble playing on smartphones and devices other than PCs, and data usage (for those who have bandwidth caps).
In concept, a cloud-based service which holds all your movies seems promising. Instead of storing all your digital movies (which take up a ton of space) on your PC or hard drive, you’ll be able to stream them while connected to the internet or download them to watch later.
However, Warner Bros. needs to fix all the issues that currently haunt the new format before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 is released. The massive franchise release could either “make or break” the format. The tie-in with Flixster seems to be a confusing obstacle for even the most savvy of digital movie viewers.
Flixster is a social movie site that was founded in 2007 and acquired by Warner Bros. in May, 2011.
I am teying to down lode herry potter deathly hallowspart2 how
I am exstreamly disapointed I bout Harry potter part 2 thinking I can put it on ituns and then put on my iPod to watch it on the go and I found out you need Internet to watch it I was so pissed off I like to keep all my movies in one place not in different places this is bullshit I am so disapointed in the wb.
Count me among the extremely disappointed. What use is a digital copy in the cloud? Cell companies don’t have unlimited bandwidth. The plan I have has 4GB a month. That means that if I do nothing else on the internet in the month, I might be able to watch 2 whole movies before invoking outrageous overage fees. Yes, I might get lucky and be able to connect to WiFi with my phone, but many public hotspots are bogged down to the point you can’t stream. And I don’t need the digital copy at home where I have my Blu-Ray player. While the concept sounds good, it’s utterly useless in a world with bandwidth caps and data rates so slow you can’t stream.
And what about those just have an iTouch and might want to watch a movie while out and about. Sorry, no can do. Rip off. Sure you can download it to your computer, but again, no ability to load the digital copy on your mobile device. So nice if you are traveling with a computer, but still not convenient like the old way.
I purchase the Blu-ray and yet, when I want to stream the movie, the only streamming option available to me is in Standard Definition!!!! Nope! Not gonna do it like ths. Give me a Vudu HDX digital stream copy and I’ll be back in the game.
I’m beyond disappointed. WB has been releasing the Harry Potter Blu-rays with real digital copies (which I love and use on my iPod). And now for the final film they’re going to tack on this horrible new service instead.