AfterDawn: News

Wal-Mart unveils its Ultraviolet 'disc-to-digital' initiative

Wal-Mart has launched its UltraViolet "disc-to-digital" initiative today, giving disc owners a chance to have access to a digital copy of their movie, for a nominal price.

The program will go live on April 16th at 3500 Wal-mart stores and users can pay $2 for an SD digital copy of a DVD or $5 to get an HD copy. If you bring in Blu-rays, you can get an HD digital copy for $2.



Says Wal-Mart: The new program "allows customers to reconnect with the movies they already own on a variety of new devices, while preserving the investments they've already made in disc purchases."

The digital copies will be available via Vudu, Wal-Mart's streaming and download service that is available on hundreds of Blu-ray players, set-top boxes, gaming consoles and of course on PC. Each license will also be available in your UltraViolet cloud library for streaming.

Account holders can stream or download the movies on up to 12 devices and each account can be shared by 6 people.

Fox, Sony, Universal, Warner Brothers and Paramount are all signed on, meaning most major movies will be eligible for a digital license.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 13 Mar 2012 16:03

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• 35 comments

• ronhondo

  Anyone can easily make a digital copy of the their DVD with free software. This is a dumb stupid flop !!! Change the setting in DVD Shrink to create a single VOB file and use Freemake Video Converter to create any file you want. Transfer it to any piece of hardware you want. I guess they think people are idiots ?

  13.3.2012 16:59 #1

• TiptonP

  Originally posted by ronhondo: Anyone can easily make a digital copy of the their DVD with free software. This is a dumb stupid flop !!! Change the setting in DVD Shrink to create a single VOB file and use Freemake Video Converter to create any file you want. Transfer it to any piece of hardware you want. I guess they think people are idiots ? How many people do you think know what a VOB file is? How many people that shop at Walmart know how to use Freemake? I like what they are doing here. It gives the average or below average user the ability to stream their movies without having to worry about the legality of it. So they charge a fee, if it is easy, fast, convenient, and provides piece of mine...then it is worth it.

  13.3.2012 17:40 #2

• ronhondo

  Originally posted by TiptonP: Originally posted by ronhondo: Anyone can easily make a digital copy of the their DVD with free software. This is a dumb stupid flop !!! Change the setting in DVD Shrink to create a single VOB file and use Freemake Video Converter to create any file you want. Transfer it to any piece of hardware you want. I guess they think people are idiots ? How many people do you think know what a VOB file is? How many people that shop at Walmart know how to use Freemake? I like what they are doing here. It gives the average or below average user the ability to stream their movies without having to worry about the legality of it. So they charge a fee, if it is easy, fast, convenient, and provides piece of mine...then it is worth it. Good .. Let them waste their money !

  13.3.2012 17:44 #3

• ThePastor

  As it stands, it seems reasonable...
  I'm just not sure why this couldn't be done with a web app.
  

  "But the bigger point here is that UMG has effectively admitted this takedown was never about copyright. They demanded YouTube censor Megaupload and justify that by saying they have a contract which allows it so its fine. Its painfully clear what they would do with a law like SOPA that gives them much more power"

  13.3.2012 17:56 #4

• xaznboitx

  people shouldn't buy the dvd in the first place if they want digital copies, should of bought it in the first place!!!
  
  I wonder if this for old dvds as well since that's understandable... speaking of old movies, this not going to work since some movies are 5.00 to 8.00 already and trading it in for digital copies is just a rip off... If this was video games I would do this since I like to keep the games kept safe on the hard drive.
  
  
  Disc, stream or download
  
  Purchasing UltraViolet content gives you flexibility to watch the way you want :
  
  Stream to any internet-connected device, including cable/satellite set-top boxes
  Download for offline viewing, including full HD copies
  Get a disc included even when you buy online - either download or streaming.
  
  found this on ultraviolet site, so what's the point of trading it in if you going to buy movies on their site and they send us the disc as well?
  
  
  
  
  
  

  13.3.2012 18:28 #5

• Mrguss

  How many times I should watch a Movie in a diff devices ?
  That is why I have a Home Theater and 100's of Movies in my collection that I have no time to watch them yet !
  If I am so desperate to convert 1 single movie to wherever....I just do it myself. Thx.
  

  +4000

  13.3.2012 19:02 #6

• i1der

  Not even Jesus was capable of making EVERYBODY happy!
  

  13.3.2012 21:08 #7

• yournamehere (unverified)

  In other news, Walmart is opening up several second hand disc outlets where the same morons can buy back the physical disc. If anyone with half a brain wants to "reconnect" with movies they already own, why pay Walmart a fee? Load the original, or the backup you've made and play it.
  You have to give it to Walmart though, they know how to fleece the idiots. Everyone knows the herd I'm talking about; they're the ones walking around with a $400 smart phone in a holster, with a blue-tooth ear piece shopping with food stamps because they're unemployed.

  13.3.2012 21:16 #8

• DVDBack23

  Judging by the comments here I'm not sure anyone actually read the article.
  
  Wal-Mart is offering you a chance to own a LEGAL digital license for movies you currently own in DVD disc form for $2 and you still get to keep the disc. You can then stream your movies without needing to lug around discs.
  
  How are there so many complaints? This is a GREAT idea (albeit a bit overpriced, $1 would be preferable) and I plan to use it myself into the future. Also, I can sell the physical discs afterwards to people who prefer discs to streaming for $3 (or more) and make a profit while keeping your full collection.
  

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  13.3.2012 21:28 #9

• Jeffrey_P

  "Says Wal-Mart: The new program "allows customers to reconnect with the movies they already own on a variety of new devices, while preserving the investments they've already made in disc purchases."
  
  Investment means you bought the DVD, Blu-Ray as a physical optical disk. Nothing about keeping your disk. That doesn't make sense.
  
  What does stamped mean?
  
  It's a shitty idea.
  
  Jeff

  13.3.2012 21:54 #10

• DVDBack23

  Originally posted by Jeffrey_P: "Says Wal-Mart: The new program "allows customers to reconnect with the movies they already own on a variety of new devices, while preserving the investments they've already made in disc purchases."
  
  Investment means you bought the DVD, Blu-Ray as a physical optical disk. Nothing about keeping your disk. That doesn't make sense. You get to keep your disc and you get a digital license for a small price (As I said before, should be smaller but I digress). The "stamp" is the UPC code goes into a database and cannot be used again.
  
  

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  13.3.2012 21:59 #11

• yournamehere

  Originally posted by DVDBack23: Judging by the comments here I'm not sure anyone actually read the article.
  
  Wal-Mart is offering you a chance to own a LEGAL digital license for movies you currently own in DVD disc form for $2 and you still get to keep the disc. You can then stream your movies without needing to lug around discs.
  
  How are there so many complaints? This is a GREAT idea (albeit a bit overpriced, $1 would be preferable) and I plan to use it myself into the future. Also, I can sell the physical discs afterwards to people who prefer discs to streaming for $3 (or more) and make a profit while keeping your full collection. If you wrote the article, maybe you should clarify what "bring in" means. If you can keep your physical copy, then yes it might be worthwhile.
  If you have a large collection though it might be cheaper to buy some large hard disk drives, at 5 bucks a movie for an HD copy you could buy several if you have 100 or more movies.
  I guess I'm a little odd, I've never felt the need to lug around my dvd collection, or watch movies on a phone.
  

  13.3.2012 22:00 #12

• Jeffrey_P

  Funny one...
  I just got off the phone with Wal-mart customer service just to clarify things. The article in question is vague about the procedure.
  
  Wal-Mart doesn't knows a thing about the deal with the movie industry.
  
  Time to hit the training room.
  
  Jeff

  13.3.2012 22:14 #13

• wiseguy0

  I want hd picture AND great sound. Are they able to stream dolby digital? I know my netflix streaming doesn't come close.

  13.3.2012 22:23 #14

• Jeffrey_P

  Originally posted by wiseguy0: I want hd picture AND great sound. Are they able to stream dolby digital? I know my netflix streaming doesn't come close. Multi-channel sound takes a boatload of bandwidth.
  
  When I had Netflix... 2 channel stereo using my LG Blu-ray players streaming function.
  
  This is why I would rather play a Blu-ray optical disk on my home theater. 1080P + DTS 7.1 just like theaters use. No substitute so far.
  
  Jeff
  

  Cars, Guitars & Radiation.

  13.3.2012 23:02 #15

• Jeffrey_P

  Okay,
  this from Tom's hardware...
  
  "To get the UltraViolet copies, customers simply head into Walmart's Photo Center and hand over their discs to an associate. After setting up a VUDU account, customers tell the associate how they want their movie served up and then the digital copes will be authorized in the VUDU account. No upload is necessary, and customers get to keep their precious discs. It sounds quicker than ordering a Happy Meal at McDonald's".
  
  DVDBack23 was correct.
  
  Jeff

  13.3.2012 23:18 #16

• ronhondo

  Originally posted by Jeffrey_P: Okay,
  this from Tom's hardware...
  
  "To get the UltraViolet copies, customers simply head into Walmart's Photo Center and hand over their discs to an associate. After setting up a VUDU account, customers tell the associate how they want their movie served up and then the digital copes will be authorized in the VUDU account. No upload is necessary, and customers get to keep their precious discs. It sounds quicker than ordering a Happy Meal at McDonald's".
  
  DVDBack23 was correct.
  
  Jeff Does this come with the stupid Vudu logo on the bottom right side of the screen and the constant ads ?? Please ! This is nonsense !

  14.3.2012 00:26 #17

• Jeffrey_P

  Have no idea but obviously you will have to subscribe to some some sort of streaming service. So the conversion cost is the tip of the iceberg.
  
  Jeff

  14.3.2012 00:43 #18

• Jhult

  Personally, I feel this is just another way that they can control your movies, drain money from your pockets, and make sure that if you don't do things the way they want you to, you won't get anything. I am perfectly happy with all of my disks. I can watch them whenever I want, no internet connection required.

  14.3.2012 02:26 #19

• hikaricor

  ^

  14.3.2012 03:59 #20

• Mr_Bill06

  Why do you have to go to a Wal-Mart store to do this? More people would do this if they could do it from there PC. Not only would you have to go to a Wal-Mart that has this in there store, you have to bring all the movies in that you want converted.
  
  Originally posted by Jeffrey_P: Have no idea but obviously you will have to subscribe to some some sort of streaming service. So the conversion cost is the tip of the iceberg.
  
  Jeff I don't think there is any more costs, Vudu is a digital rental and purchase service. When you go to Wal-Mart they will add the movie to your account as if you went to Vudu and purchased the movie to own. You can also use the UV service to stream or download the movie directly to your PC.
  
  
  

  14.3.2012 05:53 #21

• Jeffrey_P

  Originally posted by Jhult: Personally, I feel this is just another way that they can control your movies, drain money from your pockets, and make sure that if you don't do things the way they want you to, you won't get anything. I am perfectly happy with all of my disks. I can watch them whenever I want, no internet connection required. I agree.. The fact of the matter is, I do not need anywhere access to movies. Whip up some popcorn and watch a video from home or a friends house. People who watch movies on their smart phones have way too much time on their hands.
  
  Something still doesn't sound right with stamping the optical disk when you bring them to Wal-mart for a digital conversion. Stamping the disk with what means?
  
  Jeff
  

  Cars, Guitars & Radiation.

  14.3.2012 07:17 #22

• LordRuss

  Originally posted by Jeffrey_P: Originally posted by Jhult: Personally, I feel this is just another way that they can control your movies, drain money from your pockets, and make sure that if you don't do things the way they want you to, you won't get anything. I am perfectly happy with all of my disks. I can watch them whenever I want, no internet connection required. I agree.. The fact of the matter is, I do not need anywhere access to movies. Whip up some popcorn and watch a video from home or a friends house. People who watch movies on their smart phones have way too much time on their hands.
  
  Something still doesn't sound right with stamping the optical disk when you bring them to Wal-mart for a digital conversion. Stamping the disk with what means?
  
  Jeff It's all through Walmart. They get a cut. The Article & UltraViolet wasn't complete & that is that. It's a bunch of half assed projects trying to make up for piss poor planning & execution.
  
  The only way anyone can get proper 'upgrades' to HD content from a DVD quality to a supposed 720 to 1080 resolution is to bring in your DVD copy of a movie, show it to a Walmartion & they give it their stamp of approval with a stock number proving your DVD is the only true Vudu original. Then it's happy viewing. Sound quality or download bandwidth be damned.
  
  That's why you can't just do it online. Somebody has to physically witness that you have a legit copy of "My Little Ponies Goes To Hell" in order for you to get it in a choppy HD download of 720/1080, stereo.
  
  I'll stick with my hard copy, thanks anyway.
  

  http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

  14.3.2012 10:20 #23

• cpspoo

  Sounds like a marketing ploy to me. Walmart and their partners will have a complete inventory of your favorite movies along with your name and contact information. In "sales speak", they'll have one hell of a lead. Not too surprising since most e-businesses seem to be built around ad sales and marketing.
  
  I don't think I'm going to like the new digital streaming status quo.
  

  14.3.2012 10:45 #24

• Mrguss

  The service suffers from a bunch of "Gotchas" !
  
  http://ti.me/y7M3np
  
  

  +4000

  15.3.2012 01:18 #25

• xtago

  The real problem with this idea is there's no device that could fully stream a whole movie without needing a recharge while watching it.
  
  A lot of movies have gone for a 2 hour viewing time slot and some are at or over 3 hours in length.
  
  pretty much all phone batteries will be dead with in half an hour trying to stream a movie from the net.
  
  also doesn't tell you how much quota it'll chew up not everyone is on an unlimited data plan.

  15.3.2012 04:23 #26

• Bozobub

  Er, I've streamed more than 1 Netflix movie on both an Evo 4g and 3vo, on a single battery charger. You are misinformed...

  15.3.2012 08:35 #27

• GernBlan

  Since most of my friends and neighbors have broadband internet access, I will only charge them $1 to convert their DVDs to a movie they can stream from their own home PC to any device in their house or any wireless capable portable device from anywhere.
  
  Screw Vudu, screw Walmart, and screw UltraViolet. Make way for GernBlanViolet, baby. :D

  15.3.2012 14:35 #28

• pmshah

  HD films, especially the BD variety run as high as 15-20 mbps. How many people actually have that kind of band width to spare to watch movies ? I also like my own intermissions as and when I want them !
  
  I personally would rather have it in my possession than have to stream it every time !

  15.3.2012 15:00 #29

• clbammel

  What about us "old timers" who have a huge library of VHS, before DVD's came out? I'd love to get those in digital. Any plans there?

  15.3.2012 15:02 #30

• LordRuss

  Originally posted by clbammel: What about us "old timers" who have a huge library of VHS, before DVD's came out? I'd love to get those in digital. Any plans there?
  Some of us have complained about that too. Paying repeatedly for the same titles, over & over again for new media. Speaking at least for myself & a few others, we feel you pain brother.
  

  http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

  15.3.2012 16:31 #31

• Jeffrey_P

  Originally posted by clbammel: What about us "old timers" who have a huge library of VHS, before DVD's came out? I'd love to get those in digital. Any plans there?
  As you know the video and audio quality of VHS lacks compared to DVD or Blu-ray. Personally, I would check to see if the VHS is available on DVD or Blu-Ray. Old movies are fairly cheap to purchase in either format. The only VHS tapes I feel worth keeping and converting are old football playoffs and Superbowls.
  
  I wouldn't mind converting my laser disk collection to Blu-Ray.
  
  Jeff
  
  
  

  Cars, Guitars & Radiation.

  15.3.2012 16:43 #32

• Mr-Movies

  Free verses the inconvenience of going to WallyWorld, bringing all of your movies (I have tons), and you still end up with protected digital copy. How many devices can it be used on, what are the limitations, what is the size, is the quality decent or degraded, and so on.
  
  Sorry but I don't see the sense here and would never use this service, It pays to be smart I guess....
  

  15.3.2012 18:04 #33

• getanacct

  Originally posted by Mr-Movies: Free verses the inconvenience of going to WallyWorld, bringing all of your movies (I have tons), and you still end up with protected digital copy. How many devices can it be used on, what are the limitations, what is the size, is the quality decent or degraded, and so on.
  
  Sorry but I don't see the sense here and would never use this service, It pays to be smart I guess.... I agree. I wouldn't use this service unless I was tech challenged (I'm not) and didn't have the knowledge needed to back up my legally owned Blu ray discs and DVDs.
  
  I have no use for this 'service' whatsoever.
  

  15.3.2012 23:50 #34

• Brian1541

  Originally posted by Jeffrey_P: Funny one...
  I just got off the phone with Wal-mart customer service just to clarify things. The article in question is vague about the procedure.
  
  Wal-Mart doesn't knows a thing about the deal with the movie industry.
  
  Time to hit the training room.
  
  Jeff Wal-Mart's "Customer Service" number is just a complaint line. The people you talked to really don't have a clue. As an associate at Wal-Mart I've called that number and the only human being you can reach are the "complaint" people.
  
  They have a training room?

  16.3.2012 09:28 #35