UltraViolet (UV) is a digital rights authentication and cloud-based licensing system that allows consumers of digital home entertainment content to stream and download purchased content to multiple platforms and devices.[1][2] UltraViolet adheres to a 'buy once, play anywhere' approach that allows users to store digital proof-of-purchases under one account to enable playback of content that is platform- and point-of-sale-agnostic.[3]
UltraViolet is developed and deployed by the 70-plus members of the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem consortium, which includes film studios, retailers, consumer electronics manufacturers, cable companies, ISPs, network hosting vendors, and other Internet systems and security vendors. Apple including both iTunes and the various popular devices such as the iPad and iPhone do not support any integration with the UltraViolet platform at this time[4] and Disney is developing its own competing Keychest format.
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Content consumers create a free UltraViolet account either through a participating UV service provider or through the UV website, with six accounts allowed per household. Keep in mind that you do not own the copy where you can apply it to devices such as iPads or other tablets. It will only stream data via broadband services. A UV account provides access to a Digital Rights Locker where licenses for purchased content are stored and managed irrespective of the point of sale. The account holder may register up to 12 devices for streaming and/or downloading for transfer onto physical media (e.g. DVDs, SD cards, flash memory drives). Up to three streams can be simultaneously transmitted.[5] Compatible devices include set-top boxes as well as Internet-enabled devices such as computers, game consoles, Blu-ray players, Internet TVs, smartphones, and tablets.[6]
UltraViolet does not store files. It is not a "cloud storage" platform. The rights for purchased or rented content are stored in the cloud. UltraViolet only coordinates and manages the rights for each account, but not the content itself. The content may be obtained in any way, in its standardized multi-DRM container format. By creating a digital-rights locker rather than a digital media storage locker, UltraViolet bypasses the cost of storage and bandwidth used when the media is accessed. In addition, by only managing the rights and licensing of content, UltraViolet insulates itself from future technological advances, allowing users to keep watching content they have purchased.
The DECE includes as its members the parent divisions of five of the "Big Six" major film studios as well as "mini-major" studio Lionsgate:[7]
The Walt Disney Company is backing its proprietary Keychest digital file service and is not currently a member of DECE.[8] Non-participation in the DECE consortium does not preclude Disney from licensing use of the technical specifications; API-enabled interaction with the UV Account infrastructure; and promotional and marketing use of the UV logo for UV content and devices.[9]
UltraViolet content is downloaded (or streamed) in the Common File Format, using the Common Encryption (CENC) system. This format is based on the Base ISO File Format, and ensures that a consistent set of codecs, media formats, DRMs, subtitling, etc. is used across the whole UltraViolet ecosystem. Because every UltraViolet title arrives in this format, it will generally play on any UltraViolet branded device.
DECE members developed a common file format (CFF) designed to play in all UltraViolet players and work with all DECE-approved DRMs. The format is based on existing standards from MPEG, SMPTE, and others, and was originally derived from the Microsoft Protected Interoperable File Format (PIFF) specification. The goal was to avoid the problem of different file formats for different players and to make it possible to copy files from player and player.[10]
There are two profiles for files and players: standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD). An SD player will play only SD files. An HD player will play SD and HD files.
Much of the work done by DECE is being adopted by MPEG in updates to the MPEG-4 container format and as part of the MPEG Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) format. Therefore, the common file format can be used in other systems and is expected to become broadly deployed.
UltraViolet files use the fragmented MPEG-4 container format (fMP4, technically known as ISO/IEC 14496-12 and often called an ISO container, not to be confused with an ISO image file for CD/DVD/BD disc images). The MPEG-4 container format is based on the Apple QuickTime file format.
UltraViolet files are not required to be encrypted, but they usually are. The files are encrypted using AES keys, which are then protected using each of the required DRM systems, with the DRM-specific information placed in the header. Both ISO scheme (PSSH/CENC) and IPMP frameworks are allowed. A player device only needs to implement one DRM.
UltraViolet files use H.264/AVC video (ISO/IEC 14496-10). Multiple resolutions, aspect ratios, and frame rates are supported. Only progressive-scan video is allowed.
UltraViolet files use stereo MPEG-4 AAC LC audio (ISO/IEC 14496-3) as a required base format, with optional multi-channel AAC, HE AAC v2 (optionally with MPEG surround), Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (MLP), DTS, DTS HD, DTS Master Audio, and DTS Express (low bit rate).
UltraViolet files uses SMPTE Timed Text (SMPTE TT), which is in turn based on the W3C Timed Text Markup Language (TTML). TT incorporates both Unicode text and PNG graphics for captions, subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH), and other types of subtitles and subpictures such as sign language and written commentaries.
In addition to CFF packaged content, UltraViolet content can also be offered from existing movie streaming services, using their existing streaming and DRM technologies. However, such content can only be viewed online, not stored for later viewing like the CFF content. This legacy streaming is likely to be the first way of receiving UltraViolet content from the cloud.
UltraViolet selected five DRM technologies allowing restrictions management on a broad range of devices: televisions, set-top-boxes, DVD & Blu-ray players, games consoles, PC, tablets and smartphones.
The selected DRM technologies are:
Using the Common Encryption technology, any of these DRMs can be used to play the same file. There is no need to download another version to use a different DRM. The same file works everywhere (for a given screen size).
DECE announced that beta testing of UltraViolet would start in Fall 2010[11] in the USA. The service is now fully operational for U.S. users only.