Fandango at Home D2D thread (formerly Vudu)

[Texan26]

Originally Posted by KFelon

Surely they are going to want more than just scanning a UPC.

I'm thinking the same thing. Aren't there websites that can create a upc code for you? Or you can easily see the back cover of a blu-ray on many sites. You would be able to easily scan the upc off your laptop or computer monitor.

I think this is something that's going to replace instawatch.

[sleepydumbdude]

Originally Posted by Texan26

I'm thinking the same thing. Aren't there websites that can create a upc code for you? Or you can easily see the back cover of a blu-ray on many sites. You would be able to easily scan the upc off your laptop or computer monitor.

I think this is something that's going to replace instawatch.

Yup and GPS Spoofers too, I spoofed on Pokemon Go to get Pokeballs at my work all day.

[Zu Nim]

Originally Posted by Texan26

I think this is something that's going to replace instawatch.

No. How would scanning a UPC after you received the product be better than redeeming a code from the package? InstaWatch exists so you can view immediately and not have to wait for the product.

It would make sense to dump the in-store conversion (no more training employees, no more bad customer experiences) and the at-home software (using a dated platform and with a system that fails to recognize a large minority of discs) with a single unified program that could be kept current.

As far as abuse, people visited their local library with VUDU To Go. People go to Walmart and add discs to other people's accounts. Abuse isn't a reason to avoid implementing a program. The marginal cost for digital approaches zero, so every dollar the studio earns is a dollar it wasn't getting before. You've moved that money off the sidelines and into the studio's pocket. And every movie that's converted ties a customer closer to their VUDU account. After you convert 500 movies at VUDU, you're more likely to buy new movies there too.

The world is full of loopholes and schemers. Focusing on the imaginary riches you'd have if everyone paid full price is a great way to lose sight of the big picture.

[billygreen23]

Originally Posted by Zu Nim

And every movie that's converted ties a customer closer to their VUDU account. After you convert 500 movies at VUDU, you're more likely to buy new movies there too.

I can verify this. I'm not one who spent a lot on physical DVDs and Blu-rays. But after converting all my movies to digital, combined with great sales on Vudu, I have spent more at Vudu in the past couple years then I've spent the rest of my life combined on movies & TV.

[p w]

Originally Posted by Zu Nim

And every movie that's converted ties a customer closer to their VUDU account. After you convert 500 movies at VUDU, you're more likely to buy new movies there too.

The world is full of loopholes and schemers. Focusing on the imaginary riches you'd have if everyone paid full price is a great way to lose sight of the big picture.

They converted me to Vudu the same way. What started as a couple of free digital titles grew and then I could see the utility of converting my favorite physical DVDs into digital. Once you are over 100 or 200, you start to get serious about switching and collecting. You've bought into the eco-system they are selling. Vudu starts making solid cash on you at that moment. Because you do buy your favorite series/titles and the new title you wanted to see that just came out but you don't feel like going to the store for a physical purchase. And there there is this sale and that one.. before you know it, you are spending more on digital than you ever did on physical media.

My only complaint has been the availability of titles and series. If there were more available that I wanted, they would sell me more.

[dazed2012]

I think this is going to be great if implemented properly. I am hoping we will see TV series added to the d2d list with this new change.

[madmod20061]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

I think he means they will get rid of the 50% off when you convert 10 or more deal


where did those screencaps come from?

Yep. That's what I meant. I think the initial point of the 50% off was to get people using the software and they originally had and end date listed that kept getting pushed back. I think initially they really did want us to submit those unreadable discs so they could fix them before they seemingly abandoned that idea.

I also don't see this new system as a bad thing. All those people who used that free conversion software were likely never going to convert the amount of movies they did so that did end up as money in the studios and Vudu's pocket that wouldn't have been there otherwise. Not saying it was right or wrong of those people, but someone converting 10 blu rays they didn't own was $10 they weren't going to spend on conversion otherwise. So, while it may not be something they encourage, a bar code system will still put money in the pot.

[echopulse]

If they are going to replace the at home conversion software, because it can't identify some DVD's, why not just update the database? All they would have to do is pay GraceNote for the update. CinemaNow's software could identify most of the problem DVD's, so there's no reason why Vudu wouldn't be able to do the same.

[echopulse]

Originally Posted by madmod20061

Yep. That's what I meant. I think the initial point of the 50% off was to get people using the software and they originally had and end date listed that kept getting pushed back. I think initially they really did want us to submit those unreadable discs so they could fix them before they seemingly abandoned that idea.

I also don't see this new system as a bad thing. All those people who used that free conversion software were likely never going to convert the amount of movies they did so that did end up as money in the studios and Vudu's pocket that wouldn't have been there otherwise. Not saying it was right or wrong of those people, but someone converting 10 blu rays they didn't own was $10 they weren't going to spend on conversion otherwise. So, while it may not be something they encourage, a bar code system will still put money in the pot.

Vudu apparently didn't see it that way, they fixed the D2D software so it wouldn't accept discs from Free2D.

[madmod20061]

Originally Posted by echopulse

Vudu apparently didn't see it that way, they fixed the D2D software so it wouldn't accept discs from Free2D.

They didn't seem to be in any big hurry to do it though. I wonder if the studios got on them about that. Same with the SD/HD trick. Took them years to fix that. The Free2d people weren't exactly hiding their activity.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by madmod20061

They didn't seem to be in any big hurry to do it though. I wonder if the studios got on them about that. Same with the SD/HD trick. Took them years to fix that. The Free2d people weren't exactly hiding their activity.

This is the first I've heard about it.

[sleepydumbdude]

Originally Posted by IndyMLVC

This is the first I've heard about it.

I you went on the Google Plus groups it was pretty hard not to hear about it. The SD trick I heard about on a Facebook group like 2 years ago. Sad to see that go.

[exharrison]

I'm not too upset over free2D going away. I'll miss it for converting the discs for movies where one copy of the movie is recognized but others aren't. But I'm not bothered with people no longer being able to use it to convert movies they never owned.
Hopefully mobile d2d can replace free2d in allowing people to convert movies they own without the mess of "we're in the process of verifying your disc..."

[Zu Nim]

Now stop arguing about how VUDU can't possibly want to do it this way.

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

http://www.vudu.com/movies/#featured/18938

They also updated their Terms of Service yesterday.

[sleepydumbdude]

Convert up to 100 discs a year.


Oooo going to have to be careful now about what I pick or make more vudu accounts in my family sharing.

[exharrison]

Awesome news. I guess if they actually limit it to 100 per year, I'll convert via PC when I can and save UPC for the troublesome ones.

[GD2J]

Originally Posted by Zu Nim

Now stop arguing about how VUDU can't possibly want to do it this way.

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

http://www.vudu.com/movies/#featured/18938

They also updated their Terms of Service yesterday.

Is this live? I don't see a "Disc to Digital" scanning option in the app, as that link says I should.

[bfett9]

Originally Posted by Zu Nim

Now stop arguing about how VUDU can't possibly want to do it this way.

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

http://www.vudu.com/movies/#featured/18938

They also updated their Terms of Service yesterday.

Seeing no mention of 50% of with 10+ I'm guessing no go for UPC conversations? And can you mix and match disc and UPC d2d titles and check out on vudu2go?

[IndyMLVC]

I don't see "disc to digital" in the app at all. I assume it needs to be updated?

[Zu Nim]

It's in the app already and needs to be enabled for general use. That doesn't mean they won't push a new version of the app, though. That webpage is visible to the public but isn't actually announced. Now it looks like Thursday instead of Wednesday, but we'll see.