UltraViolet is the newest brainchild of a large consortium of tech companies. Designed to be a “digital movie locker” and media management system, UltraViolet aims to allow consumers to view movies they’ve purchased on multiple devices. A Disney-backed competitor is already on the horizon, despite the large list of supporters for UltraViolet.
UltraViolet makes use of cloud computing
The UltraViolet consortium combines a huge number of media companies. An account at UltraViolet’s site, uvvu.com, will track all media purchases. Multiple devices and services can use the “digital token” assigned to each media purchase. You can rent or purchase a movie on Netflix, then play it via Comcast. A digital download picked up as a DVD at Best Buy. The goal of the UltraViolet account is cross-compatibility between systems.
Competitors and challenges facing UltraViolet
There is already a format war shaping up with UltraViolet as one of the major players. Disney is developing their own digital rights management system codenamed KeyChest. Pixar Studios and Marvel Entertainment movies are both owned by the Walt Disney Company. The Walt Disney Company has Steve Jobs as a board member. Apple has not signed onto UltraViolet, and it is likely that its iOS technology will not allow app developers to put UltraViolet on their devices.
Which Digital Management System will end up in use?
There could be a couple of years where both formats will exist, if we are to use indications of previous format wars. In all likelihood, whichever format the pornography industry chooses will end up winning. Lack of corporate support or customer support have killed similar moves within the music industry. The way to win for either Ultraviolet or KeyChest will be a compelling library, huge amounts of corporate support and the ease of use that so many customers have come to expect.
