UltraViolet Shutting Down on July 31, 2019

[crackedknee]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

Is there any real advantage to FandangoNow or Microsoft over VUDU? They are two that I’ve not linked on the MA app. Since I only use iTunes when we are out of town, I tend not to redeem as much there anymore. VUDU is on my tv, but so are they. Thoughts?

Absolutely. Sometimes FN has a better encode, sometimes FN (and other services) have a correct encode (usually because Vudu has the wrong aspect ratio of 1.78 for a 2.39 film, though once I had a movie that would not play the end in Vudu but would work all the way to the end in FN).

Also FN currently has some UHD versions of movies that Vudu does not. And some movies only redeem UHD on FN.

The vice versa is true for Vudu over FN in some cases. But there is definite benefit to having as many services hooked up to MA as you can.

In fact you should link an FN account to your UV locker right now, and to MA, it's not a good idea, given the differences that matter, to NOT have FN hooked to both of those.

[disneywildcat]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

Is there any real advantage to FandangoNow or Microsoft over VUDU? They are two that I’ve not linked on the MA app. Since I only use iTunes when we are out of town, I tend not to redeem as much there anymore. VUDU is on my tv, but so are they. Thoughts?

Well, if you purchase movie tickets thru Fandango and join Fandango VIP+, you can earn points toward $5 rewards that you can redeem on FandangoNow or Fandango. If you have a Fandango account, you can use the same login on FandangoNow.

FandangoNow is okay as a digital provider. Though for those with a UHD TV, Vudu and iTunes are better as they both support Dolby Vision, which FandangoNow does not appear to.

[Undeadcow]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

Is there any real advantage to FandangoNow or Microsoft over VUDU? They are two that I’ve not linked on the MA app. Since I only use iTunes when we are out of town, I tend not to redeem as much there anymore. VUDU is on my tv, but so are they. Thoughts?

It may depend on the title but some films have different aspect ratios through different services. There's been some debate about streaming quality and I think a general consensus was that iTumes streams at a slightly higher bitrate. Sometimes extras vary by services, for example iTunes often gives theatrical cuts for extended editions as a free extra while Vudu may require additional purchase. Some services are quicker to offer less mainstream movies in higher 4K/UHD quality (like FandangoNow has many UHD titles while Vudu only have some big studio ones). Personally, like you, Vudu meets most of my streaming needs and I usually only even use Vudu.

[crackedknee]

Originally Posted by disneywildcat

Well, if you purchase movie tickets thru Fandango and join Fandango VIP+, you can earn points toward $5 rewards that you can redeem on FandangoNow or Fandango. If you have a Fandango account, you can use the same login on FandangoNow.

FandangoNow is okay as a digital provider. Though for those with a UHD TV, Vudu and iTunes are better as they both support Dolby Vision, which FandangoNow does not appear to.

I thought I heard FN had DV movies, but I might be wrong.

But in any case, that is one drawback to FN is that some of their movies lack HDR (or DV), and it's not easy to tell if that is the case or not (unless your TV tells you, like mine does).

But the whole UHD plus HDR or DV thing is a mess across services. Because Vudu and MA both movies lacking HDR/DV that another service does have. So you have to look around to which service, Vudu, FN, and/or MA actually plays an HDR or DV version of a UHD movie.

(I don't have iTunes, so I can speak to whether they are reliable with providing the HDR/DV versions or not. But Vudu/FN/MA are definitely still hit and miss).

[disneywildcat]

Originally Posted by Pulp Hero

I have a quick question. With UV shutting down I've been going through my movies double checking that I've redeemed everything. I have a few movies that I bought at Wal-Mart and they came with Instawatch digital copies.

Do I gain anything by attempting to redeem the UV code for movies I have digital copies of via Instawatch? For example, my Shin Godzilla digital copy is via Instawatch and I've never redeemed the UV code. (And since it's through Funimation I don't expect it to propagate through MA)

Originally Posted by AZBrowncoat

Did you get both the English and Japanese versions via Instawatch? I believe wit the code you get both versions.

However, typically with Instawatch you get the same version I believe.

Originally Posted by Pulp Hero

Surprisingly, yes. VUDU shows both original Japanese and the English dub versions.

Curiously, for some reason SHIN GODZILLA is the only one with a message (when you select the title) that says "Please enjoy your Wal-Mart digital copy", the other digital copies that came via Instawatch don't seem to have that message.

Just tried purchasing Shin Godzilla through Walmart.com to test to see if the Instawatch version would port to FandangoNow thru UV. After completing the walmart.com order, both version showed up on Vudu, but nothing on FandangoNow.

[The_Donster]

Cool, just linked UV and MA to FN and will let you know if I notice a difference gang. Of course I am now kicking myself for it redeeming The Doors on FN. I would have probably gotten my UHD on it. Any advantage to Microsoft? It, like iTunes isn’t something I’d use a lot. Again, thanks for the assistance.

[Chedwiggen]

No more UV sucks, I hope Vudu works with studios to comes up with a new family sharing system but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

Any advantage to Microsoft? It, like iTunes isn’t something I’d use a lot. Again, thanks for the assistance.

Well they sometimes have sales that other providers don't have or with lower prices than elsewhere on MA eligible titles. That's what comes to mind for me.

[TheLaughingMann]

Outlander Season 4 and Better Call Saul Season 4 redeemed in Vudu, but no indications of porting to other services. Then again, I'll be in trouble the day Vudu goes under.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by crackedknee

(I don't have iTunes, so I can speak to whether they are reliable with providing the HDR/DV versions or not. But Vudu/FN/MA are definitely still hit and miss).

They are.

[Chedwiggen]

Originally Posted by TheLaughingMann

Outlander Season 4 and Better Call Saul Season 4 redeemed in Vudu, but no indications of porting to other services. Then again, I'll be in trouble the day Vudu goes under.

I'm hoping if that ever happens they'll work out a deal with another digital retailer like Amazon or iTunes to transfer our content over.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by grrrarg

My Flixster connections are currently 3 Canada and 3 UK.

Anyone want to sway me in one direction or another (or another country) or does it not make too much of a difference?

Originally Posted by jbloggs

Are you saying you have total of 6 flixster accounts connected to UV?

Just out of curiosity, I take it the above poster (grrarg) is referring to having 6 UV users, 3 of which are connected via Canada's Flixster, and 3 connected via UK Flixster.

There's no way to connect to both Canada and the UK at the same time, right?

[Baguda]

Originally Posted by crackedknee

In fact you should link an FN account to your UV locker right now, and to MA, it's not a good idea, given the differences that matter, to NOT have FN hooked to both of those.

Hi. I was under the impression that linking FN and Vudu accounts to MA could be done later (after the UV shutdown) without making a difference.

Do you believe MA accounts need to be linked before the UV shutdown? If yes, what difference do you think it would make doing it tomorrow (7/31) vs. after 7/31? I was under the impression all the UV movies would end up in each Vudu/FN account and if MA were linked after 7/31, those MA accounts would still get all those movies (the ones whose studios are supported).

I linked my 6 UV (sub)accounts to 6 Vudu and 6 FN accounts. However, I only have 2 MA accounts linked to 2 Vudu and 2 FN accounts. If you really think it will make a difference, I'll have to create 4 MA accounts tomorrow and link them to the other 4 of each.

[crackedknee]

Originally Posted by Chedwiggen

No more UV sucks, I hope Vudu works with studios to comes up with a new family sharing system but I'm not going to hold my breath.

UV is being dissolved because of sharing. So that will never again be a thing (though MA does have family member profiles like Netflix, Hulu, and others).

[Greyman]

Originally Posted by Baguda

Hi. I was under the impression that linking FN and Vudu accounts to MA could be done later (after the UV shutdown) without making a difference.

Do you believe MA accounts need to be linked before the UV shutdown? If yes, what difference do you think it would make doing it tomorrow (7/31) vs. after 7/31? I was under the impression all the UV movies would end up in each Vudu/FN account and if MA were linked after 7/31, those MA accounts would still get all those movies (the ones whose studios are supported).

I linked my 6 UV (sub)accounts to 6 Vudu and 6 FN accounts. However, I only have 2 MA accounts linked to 2 Vudu and 2 FN accounts. If you really think it will make a difference, I'll have to create 4 MA accounts tomorrow and link them to the other 4 of each.

I don’t think it is necessary to link to MA before the shut down as long as things stay as they are and Vudu continues to transfer out and populate MA.

[carter155523]

I do apologize, because I am sure this has been answered, but am not doing a good job finding it.

Do UV codes for movies from studios like Universal, Paramount and Lionsgate that give both UV and iTunes redeem options, will the UV option no longer redeem on August 1?

[grrrarg]

Originally Posted by carter155523

I do apologize, because I am sure this has been answered, but am not doing a good job finding it.

Do UV codes for movies from studios like Universal, Paramount and Lionsgate that give both UV and iTunes redeem options, will the UV option no longer redeem on August 1?

Don't worry, there aren't (and never were) UV codes.

They are all simply codes eligible for redemption at specific digital retailers. For applicable titles, code redemption (or retail purchase) also provided UV rights. Now you will no longer receive UV rights at time of code redemption or purchase.

[carter155523]

Originally Posted by grrrarg

Don't worry, there aren't (and never were) UV codes.

They are all simply codes eligible for redemption at specific digital retailers. For applicable titles, code redemption (or retail purchase) also provided UV rights. Now you will no longer receive UV rights at time of code redemption or purchase.

Thank you. So there's a good chance you can still redeem both options separately then?

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by crackedknee

UV is being dissolved because of sharing. So that will never again be a thing (though MA does have family member profiles like Netflix, Hulu, and others).

iTunes and Google Play also have family sharing. It works differently, but is still family sharing, and no reason why VUDU couldn’t offer a similar feature.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by Baguda

Hi. I was under the impression that linking FN and Vudu accounts to MA could be done later (after the UV shutdown) without making a difference.

Do you believe MA accounts need to be linked before the UV shutdown? If yes, what difference do you think it would make doing it tomorrow (7/31) vs. after 7/31? I was under the impression all the UV movies would end up in each Vudu/FN account and if MA were linked after 7/31, those MA accounts would still get all those movies (the ones whose studios are supported).

I linked my 6 UV (sub)accounts to 6 Vudu and 6 FN accounts. However, I only have 2 MA accounts linked to 2 Vudu and 2 FN accounts. If you really think it will make a difference, I'll have to create 4 MA accounts tomorrow and link them to the other 4 of each.

I would link UV right away, but I’d hold off on connecting MA, as MA has overwritten some of my resolutions for the worst.