Buy a movie and then watch it from virtually any device. That’s the vision behind the launch of UltraViolet, a “digital locker” for movies, TV shows, and other entertainment, announced Tuesday by the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem LLC (DECE).
The consortium of nearly 60 companies said UltraViolet is intended to complement physical DVD and Blu-ray markets. A consumer will be able to access the purchased content from the UltraViolet digital store via connected TVs, PCs, game consoles, smartphones, tablets and other devices. A token is stored in the digital locker, certifying the user’s proof of purchase of a specific piece of content.
Outside Spectrum, Ubiquitous
The concept is being compared by DECE to an ATM, where bank accounts can be accessed from a wide variety of cash machines. A key driver is Apple’s growing hold on content, with Apple-defined specifications defining the devices that will play the content.
DECE President and Sony Pictures Entertainment CTO Mitch Singer said the goal is to establish UltraViolet as the “symbol for digital entertainment — one that gives consumers the freedom of access wherever they are, the confidence of knowing how it will work, and the broadest choice of content, stores and devices.” He added that the name was chosen because UltraViolet is “outside the visible spectrum, but it’s all around you and it’s ubiquitous.”
A cloud-based UltraViolet account will include a Digital Rights Locker and account management. The account can be created free via one of the participating service providers, or through the UltraViolet web site. Purchases and rentals are then made through the account.
DECE said technical specifications, such as a proposed common file format and licensing details for companies who want to participate, will be available later this year. A retail test is scheduled to begin by the end of 2010. One cost situation to be…