Should Universal Studios U-Control Interactive feature be improved or replaced? - Blu-ray Forum

HDTV1080P · 02-11-2009, 05:14 PM

I enjoy watching BLU-RAY discs and I always watch all the extra features on the movies I own. Most BLU-RAY movies have easy to use user friendly menus to access the extra features. The Universal Studios U-Control feature which is an interactive feature while one watches the movie is very difficult to use some times. I wish Universal Studios would make an option so that the special features in the movie could be viewed without having to watch the entire movie over again with a small picture and picture option.
When I am watching a directors commentary I find it annoying for a picture in picture interactive special feature to start playing at the same time I am watching the movie. Of course I can disable U-Control while watching a commentary but then to see any of the special bonus features on the disc I have to watch the movie again with U-Control turned on. It would be so much better if a option to watch the bonus material was available without having to watch the entire movie again. I already am watching the movie again with commentary tracks and do not need to watch the movie again for bonus features.

P.S.

I almost voted for U-Control to offer a option to watch the bonus material without watching the movie but decided to go with the option of replacing U-Control with a new interface. Both of these options would have the same effect and I do not like U-Control the way it is now. Hopefully Universal Studios will improve or replace this feature.

ckent22 · 02-11-2009, 05:15 PM

I am not a big special features person myself, but I enjoy the U-Control feature.

ckenisell · 02-11-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

I wish Universal Studios would make an option so that the special features in the movie could be viewed without having to watch the entire movie over again with a small picture and picture option.

You an do this. I can't remember the workflow, but I think you have to go to the main menu and go to the UVerse menu. Maybe you have to go to the chapters menu and look at the special PiP icons above the applicable move chapters. Click on one of them and it will jump right to it.

shadows4545 · 02-11-2009, 05:22 PM

I wish the movies would come with more instructions on the purpose of each color button and on top of that explain in detail how to get the most out of them. For the longest time I didn't know how to remove any of the bookmarks.

Meeklo · 02-11-2009, 05:25 PM

I hate how the hide the "Go to Extended (or Unrated) Cut" at the bottom and then the disc has to (pretty much) reload when you click on it. It's out of the way and if you're not paying attention, you'll miss it.

HDTV1080P · 02-11-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckenisell

You an do this. I can't remember the workflow, but I think you have to go to the main menu and go to the UVerse menu. Maybe you have to go to the chapters menu and look at the special PiP icons above the applicable move chapters. Click on one of them and it will jump right to it.

But the problem is the movie is still playing with the bonus feature in a PIP window. You can watch the entire movie or just parts of the movie with the PIP bonus material. It would be ideal to have an option to watch the bonus material in full screen without having to see the movie again.

PowellPressburger · 02-11-2009, 05:53 PM

I just want to watch full making of like for THE THING on the old DVD ... the U Control I won't even touch.

blu-mike · 02-11-2009, 06:15 PM

I luv the U-Control feature

ckenisell · 02-11-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

But the problem is the movie is still playing with the bonus feature in a PIP window. You can watch the entire movie or just parts of the movie with the PIP bonus material. It would be ideal to have an option to watch the bonus material in full screen without having to see the movie again.

Oh, well that's the case with more than just Universal's U-Verse. Most PiP can't be played back without using the PiP "feature".

ckenisell · 02-11-2009, 06:17 PM

Also, where's the poll option for just leaving it the same. I care about special features so the last option does not apply to me. The other two options assume that I don't like it the way it is.

davcole · 02-11-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blu-mike

I luv the U-Control feature

+1

I love that I have a choice which pop-up insert I want to view. I don't have to run one PIP track that includes all the graphics along with video if I don't want to. If i'm watching the film and want to view the video commentary, all I have to do is choose that, I don't have to use the ancillary features.

Outside of chopping up some documentaries into a U-CONTROL track, I have no problem with it.

View Poll Results: Should Universal Studios U-Control Interactive features be improved or replaced?
I do not like U-Control and U-Control should be replaced with a new interface	7	28.00%
U-Control should offer a option to watch the bonus material without having to watch the entire movie	10	40.00%
I do not care about bonus material and I want to just watch the movie	8	32.00%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll

02-11-2009, 05:14 PM	#1
HDTV1080P Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray reviews: 205	Should Universal Studios U-Control Interactive feature be improved or replaced? I enjoy watching BLU-RAY discs and I always watch all the extra features on the movies I own. Most BLU-RAY movies have easy to use user friendly menus to access the extra features. The Universal Studios U-Control feature which is an interactive feature while one watches the movie is very difficult to use some times. I wish Universal Studios would make an option so that the special features in the movie could be viewed without having to watch the entire movie over again with a small picture and picture option. When I am watching a directors commentary I find it annoying for a picture in picture interactive special feature to start playing at the same time I am watching the movie. Of course I can disable U-Control while watching a commentary but then to see any of the special bonus features on the disc I have to watch the movie again with U-Control turned on. It would be so much better if a option to watch the bonus material was available without having to watch the entire movie again. I already am watching the movie again with commentary tracks and do not need to watch the movie again for bonus features. P.S. I almost voted for U-Control to offer a option to watch the bonus material without watching the movie but decided to go with the option of replacing U-Control with a new interface. Both of these options would have the same effect and I do not like U-Control the way it is now. Hopefully Universal Studios will improve or replace this feature. Last edited by HDTV1080P; 02-11-2009 at 05:32 PM.

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02-11-2009, 05:15 PM	#2
ckent22 Banned Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Hollywood, California VIA Smallville, Kansas Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:266 Blu-ray reviews: 15	I am not a big special features person myself, but I enjoy the U-Control feature.

02-11-2009, 05:22 PM	#4
shadows4545 Active Member Member since:Feb 2009 Location:California Blu-ray collection:625 Blu-ray reviews:4	I wish the movies would come with more instructions on the purpose of each color button and on top of that explain in detail how to get the most out of them. For the longest time I didn't know how to remove any of the bookmarks.

02-11-2009, 05:25 PM	#5
Meeklo Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Oct 2008 Home Theater Gallery:6 Blu-ray collection:687 DVD collection:3 Blu-ray reviews:28 Trading Score:25	I hate how the hide the "Go to Extended (or Unrated) Cut" at the bottom and then the disc has to (pretty much) reload when you click on it. It's out of the way and if you're not paying attention, you'll miss it.

02-11-2009, 05:53 PM	#7
PowellPressburger Blu-ray Count Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:DIFFERENT PLACES! Minneapolis 4K collection:991 Blu-ray collection:3676 DVD collection:359 Blu-ray reviews: 51 Trading Score:297	I just want to watch full making of like for THE THING on the old DVD ... the U Control I won't even touch.

02-11-2009, 06:15 PM	#8
blu-mike Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2008 Blu-ray collection:440 Blu-ray reviews:2	I luv the U-Control feature

02-11-2009, 06:17 PM	#10
ckenisell Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Round Rock, TX Blu-ray collection:368 Blu-ray reviews:3	Also, where's the poll option for just leaving it the same. I care about special features so the last option does not apply to me. The other two options assume that I don't like it the way it is.

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