THE GIZMO: UltraViolet shines a new light on the movie/TV viewing experience.
OLD SCHOOL/NEW WAYS: Like to buy, rather than rent movies and TV shows so you can enjoy them more than once, watch on different devices and share your library?
Buying hard-disc goods - DVDs and high-def Blu-rays - is one obvious way to go. But you need a dedicated player to view 'em on, storage space and a way to carry 'em around. Oh, so 2005.
How about downloading movies and shows on a multipurpose device you've already got up and running in your living room or pocket? That works - until you run out of storage space on the DVR or mobile phone.
Then there's the issue of compatibility. Most purchased downloads are locked into a specific system or device, with minimal sharing opportunities.
A BETTER WAY: This month, the bright minds of Hollywood are introducing an alternative that makes a lot of sense: UltraViolet Digital Copy, debuting as a "free" bonus with select DVD and Blu-ray discs.
Different from the limited-access, digital-copy option included with recent movie discs, UltraViolet generously offers instant streaming of a purchased movie to you and five friends or relations registered on your master account. And 12 viewing devices can be linked to the one account.
Out of the gate, Internet-connected Android and Apple iOS phones and tablets, plus Windows and Mac computers can streamUltraViolet "cloud"-
based movies and TV shows. Come December, you'll also be able to download an UltraViolet copy for keeps.
At the Consumer Electronics Show in January, we'll be hearing about UltraViolet accessibility being added to a mess of Internet-connected TVs, plus Blu-ray players, cable/satellite receivers and other set-top devices. Soon, you'll even be able to check into a hotel room that has a LodgeNet box. Log onto your UltraViolet account, then either watch movies already in your library or purchase something that becomes part of your permanent collection.
THE DIGITAL LOCKER: First out of the gate with UltraViolet copy-enhanced DVDs and Blu-rays, Warner Bros. had me set up an account and register proof of purchase (POP) code numbers included with "Horrible Bosses" and "Green Lantern" at their Flixster website (ultraviolet.flixster.com).
When Sony and Universal jump into the game in November and December, respectively, they'll have movie buyers register POP codes at their own movie streaming sites.
