Ultraviolet - frustratingly complicated

Dazzz · 20-11-2016, 11:57

As a newbie to Ultraviolet digital streaming, I naively thought it would be as simple as a couple of previous iTunes digital codes I got with DVD releases, with a single code entry and then easy download or streaming through iTunes, or on iPhone/iPad. Easy peasy.

But having just got the House of Cards Blu-Rays, with ultraviolet..
I now have a SonyPicturesStore account, a UV account, a Flixster Video account, and I still can't find how to download HD copies of the episodes onto my PC or iPad to watch offline. Have I missed something obvious, or is ultraviolet this annoying for everyone?!

Smash41 · 20-11-2016, 13:48

It's crap for on the go.
I don't bother.

Some studios recently have recently started giving you the option of redeeming via UV or itunes/good play. Deadpool was one such title.

This is a much better idea then you can choose where you want it.

I wish they all gave Google Play codes as that's my platform of choice.

malcy · 21-11-2016, 07:57

With Flixster there is an app to download the content to your iPad. Whether it's HD or SD depends upon the studio. Some like Warner give you the choice of HD or SD but most only give you SD. You need to download the Flixster video app, which is separate to the Flixster app.

Flixster got sold earlier this year and Flixster video is where you can watch the UV content. The main Flixster website is now just a generic film and entertainment click bait website just like many others.

Regarding choice of platform, it is up to the studio. Most are just Flixster Video but some also offer Google Play or TalkTalk (Blinkbox). iTunes is now I believe only offered by Paramount as they don't support UV in the UK, so their digital copies are outside the UV scheme.

LeftHandedGuitarist · 21-11-2016, 16:03

Even though different sites/companies accept the codes, it does appear that all of my Ultraviolet stuff is grouped together and available on TalkTalk (Blinkbox).

Nana · 23-11-2016, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftHandedGuitarist

Even though different sites/companies accept the codes, it does appear that all of my Ultraviolet stuff is grouped together and available on TalkTalk (Blinkbox).

What LefhandedGuitarist said. There are exceptions though, check if the film is a Lions Gate film on Amazon in the info as these are not supported by TalkTalk and can only be viewed through Flixster.
Incredibly annoying as I can't stream Flixter to the TV.

Some others have their own proprietary digital service like the recent film The Commitments, but these are few and far between.
Once you have your own TalkTalk library going it's a pretty simple way to have a streaming copy of your film, but it is frustrating if you don't know and have to figure it out yourself.

malcy · 02-01-2017, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dazzz

As a newbie to Ultraviolet digital streaming, I naively thought it would be as simple as a couple of previous iTunes digital codes I got with DVD releases, with a single code entry and then easy download or streaming through iTunes, or on iPhone/iPad. Easy peasy.

But having just got the House of Cards Blu-Rays, with ultraviolet..
I now have a SonyPicturesStore account, a UV account, a Flixster Video account, and I still can't find how to download HD copies of the episodes onto my PC or iPad to watch offline. Have I missed something obvious, or is ultraviolet this annoying for everyone?!

Wanted to download some of S1 HOC to the Flixster Video app over Christmas, and couldn't. Looking at my Flixster library it seems only 3 random episodes of S1 are available to view. This contrasts with S2 and S3 which are complete.

Finally heard back from Flixster customer support which is in US and was just fobbed off with the studio has not provided the video files to us so tough. I remember back when I first got S1 on UV I streamed via the Sony Pictures website but this no longer seems available as they just push you to Flixster today.

Only other programmes I have had this with are the movie Seven which took around 2 years after I redeemed the code for the movie to be available, and one of the Doctor Who new series which was also unavailable.

Spaceranger2001 · 02-01-2017, 16:33

I personally hate UV, used it once when on holiday but it still needed internet access to verify before playing even though they were downloaded.

UV it sill better than the awful one used by FOX on some of their triple play titles.

Ste7en · 02-01-2017, 18:32

I was once asked why Ultraviolet was given away with so many movies because it wasn't that good a film

T4V · 18-06-2018, 10:21

Anybody want a Hobbit Battle of the Five Armies code? PM me if you do.

edit - oops Redeem by 20/04/2018... it may still work but may not.

cedge · 18-06-2018, 11:17

I've got no idea where its possible to even watch your UV films on these days

.

KeyserSoze · 18-06-2018, 18:03

Yeah it's a complete disaster, at least in the UK anyway. Flixster seems to have been discontinued on many smart devices.

In US I believe they have Vudu and Moviesanywhere.

barrynorton · 18-06-2018, 20:05

All ultra violet films have transferred to Rakuten so I can now stream to my Samsung tv once again.

LeftHandedGuitarist · 18-06-2018, 20:12

Only about 4 of mine have successfully transferred, the other dozen appear to be lost.

barrynorton · 18-06-2018, 20:28

Only 47 out of 82 transferee with mine, I can still use Flixster and talk talk (for now) each of them have different amounts in my library with some films only appearing uniquely in each app.

KeyserSoze · 18-06-2018, 20:51

Does Rakuten or any other service work on Fire TV?

EDIT: looks like I have Rakuten in my LG TV, but can't see how to link with UV?

malcy · 19-06-2018, 05:06

It was only Talk Talk content which has moved to Rakuten as they bought them out as Talk Talk are closing their online video.

This is mainly Sony content IIRC.

Each studio supports Ultraviolet in s different way which is some now just brand as Digital Copy so not Ultraviolet compatible.

For example Fox UK for around a year have been using Google Play. Paramount when the occasionally give a digital copy still use iTunes.

Flixster is still playable on their iPad and Android tablet apps but not found an easy way to get to a TV.

Nana · 22-06-2018, 09:46

I’m having a huge amount of trouble transferring accounts, it’s so frustrating. I’m writing to Rakuten today and hope they can help.
To be honest I don’t have a lot of expectations for Flixster, haven’t they already closed in the U.S.?

Spaceranger2001 · 01-02-2019, 12:33

UV is shutting down on 31st July 2019 anyone have any ideas on what is going to replace it?

T4V · 01-02-2019, 13:23

A few of my codes have activated on Google lately, this is fine by me as I can then play them on YouTube, however they�d better not close Flixster down as I�ve built up 233 vids on there and I will be VERY annoyed if I lose them

dataloss · 01-02-2019, 15:41

Ultraviolet was designed to fail