A scene from Sony Pictures "Columbiana" movie
So we just bought Sony Pictures Columbiana (great movie) and it includes an Ultraviolet copy.
Do you think I can get it into iTunes? Apparently not. So when I reach out to tech support for help, their basic response is “iTunes doesn’t support Ultraviolet content”. See below.
BEGINS
Dear Customer,
Thank you for your inquiry!
UltraViolet works on iPhones and iPads and many more devices (Windows PCs, Macs, etc.), but currently, the iTunes library does not support the listing of UltraViolet content.
Sony Pictures currently supports streaming to iPhone/iPad/iPodTouch and download/streaming to PC and Macs. Check the website where you activated your disc for details and support of the necessary software. iPhone 4S and iPad2 can stream to Apple TV using the AirPlay mirroring feature (see http://www.apple.com/appletv/airplay.html for details). For Friends with Benefits, Smurfs, and other Sony Pictures movies you’ll need to contact Sony – https://ultraviolet.sonypictures.com/info/help_and_support
Flixster currently supports streaming and download to iPhone/iPad, PC, and Mac (and streaming to Android). For iPhone/iPad or Android you need to download the Flixster Movies app. Check the website where you activated your disc for details and support of the necessary apps. iPhone 4S and iPad2 can stream to Apple TV using the AirPlay mirroring feature (see http://www.apple.com/appletv/airplay.html for details). For Horrible Bosses, Green Lantern, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, and other WB movies you’ll need to contact Flixster – http://support.ultraviolet.flixster.com
Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.
Thank You,
UltraViolet Customer Care
customercare@uvvu.com
ENDS
I and millions of other iTunes users have invested hundreds of hours and many $$$ into our movie collections. To find out that a movie I just bought doesn’t fit in with iTunes just irritates me. Not because I can’t get the movie to iTunes, but because it shows Sony is more interested in carving out it’s own little island in the digital universe and hoping consumers will play on their terms, rather than caring about consumers and what they need.
It’s an example of fracturing the marketplace and the technology platforms, not because it’s good for consumers, but because Sony (and I am sure that others will be in the same bandwagon) thinks it is good for their business.
So you can make up your own mind about whether it makes sense to use Ultraviolet copies of movies. For me, it’s a waste of time, and I certainly won’t spend my money on Ultraviolet copies. I’ll legally get my copies elsewhere.
Thanks Sony for your consideration.
P.S. Just got a response from Ultraviolet and here it is:
Dear Customer,
Thank you for your inquiry!
You will need to contact Sony Pictures for support regarding the necessary apps and requirements to download or play your movie on your mobile device or PC/Mac.
Website: https://ultraviolet.sonypictures.com/info/help_and_support
Email: consumer@sphecustomersupport.sony.com
Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.
Thank You,
UltraViolet Customer Care
customercare@uvvu.com
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