The future of iTunes and Digital Copies

[bsweetness]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

I checked to see if they have the ones I wanted in HDX and they do. Unfortunately, I don't have a BD Player on my computer so I have to go to the store because I want these BDs in HDX. I don't mind paying full price.

Just a heads up - technically, the stores are supposed to put a stamp on the inner ring of your discs when you take them into the store (so that they can't be used for D2D again). If they do, don't worry. A little rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball will take it right off. Some stores don't bother with the stamp.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by bsweetness

Just a heads up - technically, the stores are supposed to put a stamp on the inner ring of your discs when you take them into the store (so that they can't be used for D2D again). If they do, don't worry. A little rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball will take it right off. Some stores don't bother with the stamp.

Do I really need to have the printed list with me to do the in store disc to digital transaction?

[bsweetness]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

Do I really need to have the printed list with me to do the in store disc to digital transaction?

I'm not sure. I always took it in because it seemed to make things a little easier for the associate who was doing it.

[Jumpman]

Is there a possibility of Apple joining the DECE?

I have about 262 iTunes digital copies. Granted, none of these films are absolute favorites. They are films I enjoy from time to time but if they technically went away, I wouldn't be bent out of shape about it.

Is it possible that all of these digital copies will be UV compliant one day?

[Noahishere]

Originally Posted by bsweetness

I'm not sure. I always took it in because it seemed to make things a little easier for the associate who was doing it.

I just scrolled through the list one time and wrote down the ones that I have that can used through the D2D program. Then I put that list in my phone so it's convenient to remind myself what I need to transfer over later on.

[Walter-S_NC]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

I checked to see if they have the ones I wanted in HDX and they do. Unfortunately, I don't have a BD Player on my computer so I have to go to the store because I want these BDs in HDX. I don't mind paying full price.

Take it as a word of advice from a friend.

HDX is the way to go. That is for Bluray Disc lateral conversions and upgrading DVD.

Your library will be so much better if the titles are almost all HDX.

One of the reasons I took almost a year to get to where I am now is I always paid $5 to upgrade my DVDs. It cost more, and took longer for the disposable income to become available, but now I look back and have no regrets.

The vast bulk of my collection was DVDs, so it was a slow process. Sometimes only 5 titles per month was all I could afford.

...but again, it gave me time to think about each one and strategize what titles I was going to bring in for conversion. That mulling it over was something I found I enjoyed. Had I done them all at once in a big bulk transaction, I would of missed out on this slow gradient climb.

[bsweetness]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

Is there a possibility of Apple joining the DECE?

I have about 262 iTunes digital copies. Granted, none of these films are absolute favorites. They are films I enjoy from time to time but if they technically went away, I wouldn't be bent out of shape about it.

Is it possible that all of these digital copies will be UV compliant one day?

I very seriously doubt it. It's one of those "when hell freezes over" situations.

UV us a competing digital copy service, and Apple is completely against having competition (that's why there's no Vudu app on Apple TV - Apple won't allow it). Joining UV would be throwing up a white flag in surrender, and Apple won't do that. They'll continue with their proprietary offerings no matter what.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Walter-S_NC

Take it as a word of advice from a friend.

HDX is the way to go. That is for Bluray Disc lateral conversions and upgrading DVD.

Your library will be so much better if the titles are almost all HDX.

One of the reasons I took almost a year to get to where I am now is I always paid $5 to upgrade my DVDs. It cost more, and took longer for the disposable income to become available, but now I look back and have no regrets.

The vast bulk of my collection was DVDs, so it was a slow process. Sometimes only 5 titles per month was all I could afford.

If I start today, it'll be like starting over. Luckily right now, I have Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy, Men In Black Trilogy, Underworld Saga, Looper, and the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as my only Vudu/UV digital copies, which is good. It's small.

If I'm honest, I wish I could get rid of Underworld Rise of the Lycans, Awakening, and Looper out of my collection and then I could really begin. That's my main issue with UV. You can't really delete yet except for WB titles.

When the deletion becomes viable, I might be fully in...if my wifi can hold up. Using it in my PS3, I can really only stream in HD (depending on the time of day) and SD.

I have to really think this through. This is a monumental decision. I only rent through Apple because of the gift cards at stores. I'm not comfortable with purchasing/renting from VUDU. I would mainly be using it as my digital copy collection from BDs I purchased.

So many decisions to make.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by bsweetness

I very seriously doubt it. It's one of those "when hell freezes over" situations.

UV us a competing digital copy service, and Apple is completely against having competition (that's why there's no Vudu app on Apple TV - Apple won't allow it). Joining UV would be throwing up a white flag in surrender, and Apple won't do that. They'll continue with their proprietary offerings no matter what.

Hmm.

Again, I wouldn't be butt hurt if I abandoned purchasing through iTunes. At the same time, I was planning in leaving collecting BDs all together. I guess I still could and just sell the discs after I use the UV code because I'll never be comfortable using Vudu to purchase or rent. That's why I love those damn iTunes gift cards. Stock pile those and I can rent comfortably for six months.

Hmmm.

[Walter-S_NC]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

If I start today, it'll be like starting over. Luckily right now, I have Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy, Men In Black Trilogy, Underworld Saga, Looper, and the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as my only Vudu/UV digital copies, which is good. It's small.

If I'm honest, I wish I could get rid of Underworld Rise of the Lycans, Awakening, and Looper out of my collection and then I could really begin. That's my main issue with UV. You can't really delete yet except for WB titles.

When the deletion becomes viable, I might be fully in...if my wifi can hold up. Using it in my PS3, I can really only stream in HD (depending on the time of day) and SD.

I have to really think this through. This is a monumental decision. I only rent through Apple because of the gift cards at stores. I'm not comfortable with purchasing/renting from VUDU. I would mainly be using it as my digital copy collection from BDs I purchased.

So many decisions to make.

Yes. Big decision. I agree. For me too.

One thought. For folks who's BB is sporadic in throughput, there is the download and watch option. It works on the PS3. It is thought to be common in rural areas where bb throughput is not consistently sufficient.

When you playback a downloaded HDX title, there is no buffering issues, no matter your bb throughput at the time.

[bsweetness]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

Hmm.

Again, I wouldn't be butt hurt if I abandoned purchasing through iTunes. At the same time, I was planning in leaving collecting BDs all together. I guess I still could and just sell the discs after I use the UV code because I'll never be comfortable using Vudu to purchase or rent. That's why I love those damn iTunes gift cards. Stock pile those and I can rent comfortably for six months.

Hmmm.

Or you could just buy the UV codes straight up - Digital Copies Buy/Sell/Trade Thread

I've starting buying UV codes instead of renting. They can often be had for around the same price as a rental, and you get to keep it in your collection. I have no intention of leaving Blu-ray behind, so if I get a UV code and really enjoy the movie, I'll buy the Blu-ray later on when the price drops.

And even if I have have some UV movies that I don't end up caring for, I don't mind them being in my collection. I never know when someone else might want to watch it, or when I might want to revisit it, so I have no intention of deleting any of them. It's not like they're taking up any space on a hard drive I have or a spot on my shelf. That's part of what I like about UV.

As for the quality of streaming with Vudu on a PS3, Vudu will automatically optimize the stream to what it feels your connection can handle. So, I wouldn't anticipate any problems with your internet holding up. If your connection is poor, you'll get a lower quality stream, just like on ever other major streaming service. If it's strong, you'll get better quality.

[Walter-S_NC]

Originally Posted by bsweetness

As for the quality of your streaming with Vudu, Vudu will automatically optimize the stream to what it feels your connection can handle. So, I wouldn't anticipate any problems with it holding up. If your connection is poor, you'll get a lower quality stream, just like on ever other major streaming service. If it's strong, you'll get better quality.

Well said.

It is known in DECE as adaptive codecs. I agree, Vudu does it well.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Walter-S_NC

Well said.

It is known in DECE as adaptive codecs. I agree, Vudu does it well.

Well, I have seven films on BD that I'm going to take to Walmart and get HDX digital copies today or within the next week.

I was going to purchase Pain & Gain and Star Trek Into Darkness directly through iTunes but now, I'm not so sure.

This has all been very interesting. I'll always have an iDevice but it doesn't really make much sense to be locked into one vendor.

Because Vudu is the most reliable, it feels like I'm doing the same thing but, in reality, no because of Flixster and Sony Pictures UV site along with UV's site in general.

Lots to think about.

[Walter-S_NC]

Current UV Vendors:
1) Vudu (Wal-Mart)
2) Flixster
3) CinemaNow (BestBuy)
4) Red Box Instant
5) M-Go
6) Nook (Barnes and Noble)

Current iTunes Vendors:
1) Apple, Corp.

[Noahishere]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

Well, I have seven films on BD that I'm going to take to Walmart and get HDX digital copies today or within the next week.

I was going to purchase Pain & Gain and Star Trek Into Darkness directly through iTunes but now, I'm not so sure.

This has all been very interesting. I'll always have an iDevice but it doesn't really make much sense to be locked into one vendor.

Because Vudu is the most reliable, it feels like I'm doing the same thing but, in reality, no because of Flixster and Sony Pictures UV site along with UV's site in general.

Lots to think about.

Not lots to think about. Just ditch ITunes altogether and get on the Vudu train. It's really honestly so much better. You won't regret it!

[squatting hen]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

Well, I have seven films on BD that I'm going to take to Walmart and get HDX digital copies today or within the next week.

I was going to purchase Pain & Gain and Star Trek Into Darkness directly through iTunes but now, I'm not so sure.

(I sniped part of your quote)

If you are looking at purchasing those two titles check out this thread:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=219775

WalMart started doing preorders with certain titles and you get bonuses with them and some give you early access. You also get the blu ray discs mailed to you along with the Vudu copies in your collection.

Pain and Gain -- $24.96
Includes Vudu copy of The Italian Job immeditaly and Vudu copy of Pain and Gain two weeks early.

Star Trek Into Darkness/Star Trek Double Pack -- $24.96
Includes bonus Vudu copy of Star Trek (2009) and 3 weeks early access to Star Trek Into Darkness on Vudu. This pre-order is for the double pack, meaning you will get a blu-ray copy of each movie in the mail on or around Star Trek Into Darkness's release date.


Also...I know you mentioned that town you live in does not get a lot of independent movies. There is a small chance, if you live in a small town, your WalMart may not have done many D2D transactions. I do hope though that you have a smooth experience.

[Walter-S_NC]

Lol.

Also slim chances of crossing paths with a $7.88 blue bin of destiny.

I have three walmarts near me. All three are super centers.

Only one has it.

[bsweetness]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

Well, I have seven films on BD that I'm going to take to Walmart and get HDX digital copies today or within the next week.

I was going to purchase Pain & Gain and Star Trek Into Darkness directly through iTunes but now, I'm not so sure.

Well, there's no reason to pay the higher cost of buying directly through iTunes (or through Vudu). You could always purchase the UV codes directly from someone here in the thread I linked to above. They'll run you $4 or $5 right around release day. And since those are Paramount titles, you may also get an iTunes option as well.

Originally Posted by Jumpman

This has all been very interesting. I'll always have an iDevice but it doesn't really make much sense to be locked into one vendor.

Because Vudu is the most reliable, it feels like I'm doing the same thing but, in reality, no because of Flixster and Sony Pictures UV site along with UV's site in general.

Lots to think about.

To me, it's not so much being locked into one particular service, it's about being locked into one particular set of hardware. UV and Vudu digital copies are accessible on virtually everything. iTunes digital copies are only accessible on iOS devices and PCs. That's extremely limiting. If iTunes digital copies were accessible on everything, I wouldn't have a problem with them. But they're locked into one vendor's hardware/software system. It limits choice in a big way. Even for someone like yourself who says they'll always have Apple devices, you'll still have access on your Apple devices, but you'll have other options should they ever be needed. You never know what the future holds. I say why be locked into one when you can be open to all?

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by squatting hen

(I sniped part of your quote)

If you are looking at purchasing those two titles check out this thread:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=219775

WalMart started doing preorders with certain titles and you get bonuses with them and some give you early access. You also get the blu ray discs mailed to you along with the Vudu copies in your collection.

Pain and Gain -- $24.96
Includes Vudu copy of The Italian Job immeditaly and Vudu copy of Pain and Gain two weeks early.

Star Trek Into Darkness/Star Trek Double Pack -- $24.96
Includes bonus Vudu copy of Star Trek (2009) and 3 weeks early access to Star Trek Into Darkness on Vudu. This pre-order is for the double pack, meaning you will get a blu-ray copy of each movie in the mail on or around Star Trek Into Darkness's release date.


Also...I know you mentioned that town you live in does not get a lot of independent movies. There is a small chance, if you live in a small town, your WalMart may not have done many D2D transactions. I do hope though that you have a smooth experience.

Oh, my Walmart does D2D. They've had it since day one. My town really isn't small. It's just that most of the local theaters only do mainstream films. I think there is one does a mixture of both.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by bsweetness

Well, there's no reason to pay the higher cost of buying directly through iTunes (or through Vudu). You could always purchase the UV codes directly from someone here in the thread I linked to above. They'll run you $4 or $5 right around release day. And since those are Paramount titles, you may also get an iTunes option as well.



To me, it's not so much being locked into one particular service, it's about being locked into one particular set of hardware. UV and Vudu digital copies are accessible on virtually everything. iTunes digital copies are only accessible on iOS devices and PCs. That's extremely limiting. If iTunes digital copies were accessible on everything, I wouldn't have a problem with them. But they're locked into one vendor's hardware/software system. It limits choice in a big way. Even for someone like yourself who says they'll always have Apple devices, you'll still have access on your Apple devices, but you'll have other options should they ever be needed. You never know what the future holds. I say why be locked into one when you can be open to all?

What's the most popular payment option in the Buy/Sell/Trading Forum? Full disclosure, I hate PayPal. Had a bad experience with them.