Ultraviolet, the once-dominant digital rights locker system, is now defunct. Therefore, you can no longer download movies directly from Ultraviolet. This guide explains what happened to Ultraviolet, where your movies might now be, and how to access your digital movie library in the post-Ultraviolet world.
Understanding the Demise of Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet (UV) was launched in 2011 as a collaborative effort between major Hollywood studios and digital service providers. The goal was to create a standardized platform that allowed consumers to purchase a physical movie disc and, through a unique UV code, gain access to a digital copy of that same film across multiple devices. The system aimed to combat piracy and offer consumers flexibility in how they consumed their content. It allowed users to link their UV account to various retailers like Vudu, FandangoNOW (now Vudu), and others.
However, UV faced significant challenges from the outset. Competing digital movie platforms like iTunes and Google Play offered simpler, more user-friendly experiences. The fragmentation of UV across different retailers, each with its own interface and features, created confusion for consumers. Ultimately, the lack of universal adoption and the rise of Movies Anywhere, a more streamlined and studio-backed system, led to Ultraviolet’s closure on July 31, 2019.
What Happened to Your Ultraviolet Movies?
Fortunately, the closure of Ultraviolet didn’t mean the disappearance of your digital movie library. Recognizing the potential for consumer backlash, the studios implemented a plan to transfer your UV-linked movies to a compatible digital retailer.
Most commonly, your movies were transferred to Vudu. Vudu was a major participant in the Ultraviolet system and was designated as the primary repository for most UV libraries. If your Ultraviolet account was linked to Vudu, your movies should have seamlessly migrated.
However, if you had your Ultraviolet account linked to another retailer, such as FandangoNOW, the transfer might have occurred there instead. In some cases, users were given the option to choose their preferred retailer for the transfer. If you did not choose, the default option was often Vudu.
The key takeaway is that your movies should still be accessible, but you need to know where they are now located.
Accessing Your Digital Movie Library Today
The process of accessing your former Ultraviolet movies is relatively straightforward, but it requires a few key steps:
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Identify Your Original UV Retailer: Think back to the retailer you primarily used to redeem your Ultraviolet codes. Was it Vudu, FandangoNOW, CinemaNow, or another service? This is the most likely location of your migrated library.
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Log In to Your Account: Using the same credentials you used for your Ultraviolet account, log in to the account you had with the UV-linked retailer you identified in step one.
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Browse Your Library: Once logged in, navigate to your digital movie library within the retailer’s interface. Look for a section labeled “My Movies,” “Library,” or something similar.
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Search for Missing Movies: If you cannot find some or all of your movies, try searching for them individually by title. Sometimes, the migration process wasn’t perfect, and certain titles might not appear immediately.
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Contact Customer Support: If you’re still having trouble locating your movies, reach out to the customer support team of the retailer where you believe your library should be located (likely Vudu). They can investigate your account and help you retrieve your movies. Be prepared to provide information about your former Ultraviolet account and any purchase records you may have.
Alternatives to Ultraviolet
While Ultraviolet is gone, the desire to own and access digital movies remains strong. Several alternatives offer similar functionality, but with different approaches:
- Movies Anywhere: This is arguably the most successful successor to Ultraviolet. Movies Anywhere is a platform backed by major Hollywood studios (Disney, Universal, Sony, Warner Bros., and Paramount). It allows you to link your accounts from participating retailers (such as iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video) and consolidate your digital movie library in one central location. Movies Anywhere does not sell movies directly; it only aggregates them.
- Individual Retailers (Vudu, iTunes, Google Play, etc.): You can purchase and store movies directly from individual retailers. This offers convenience, but it lacks the portability of Movies Anywhere. If a retailer goes out of business or removes a title, you may lose access to your purchased content.
- Physical Media (Blu-ray, DVD): While not strictly digital, physical media remains a viable option for owning movies. They offer the highest quality audio and video and are not subject to the whims of digital platforms. Many Blu-ray discs also include digital codes that can be redeemed through Movies Anywhere or a specific retailer.
FAQs About Downloading Ultraviolet Movies
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the situation surrounding Ultraviolet and accessing your digital movie library:
FAQ 1: I Never Linked My Ultraviolet Account to a Retailer. What Happens Now?
If you never linked your Ultraviolet account to a retailer, it’s unfortunately likely that you’ve lost access to your movies. Without a linked account, there was no way to automatically transfer your library. Your best bet is to contact Ultraviolet customer support (though they are no longer actively managing the platform) and see if they can offer any assistance, but the chances of recovery are slim.
FAQ 2: How Do I Know Which Retailer My Ultraviolet Account Was Linked To?
If you’re unsure which retailer your Ultraviolet account was linked to, check your email. Search for emails from Ultraviolet or from digital movie retailers (Vudu, FandangoNOW, etc.) that mention Ultraviolet or digital movie redemption. These emails might provide clues or even explicitly state which retailer your account was linked to.
FAQ 3: I Can’t Remember My Password for My Vudu (or Other Retailer) Account. How Do I Reset It?
Most digital retailers have a “Forgot Password” option on their login page. Click on this link and follow the instructions to reset your password. You’ll typically need to provide your email address or username associated with the account.
FAQ 4: Some of My Movies Are Missing From My Vudu Account. What Should I Do?
First, double-check that you’re logged into the correct Vudu account. Then, try searching for the missing movies individually by title. If they still don’t appear, contact Vudu customer support. Provide them with details about your former Ultraviolet account and the missing movies.
FAQ 5: Can I Still Redeem Ultraviolet Codes Today?
No, Ultraviolet codes are no longer valid. The Ultraviolet system is defunct, and the codes are inactive. Attempting to redeem them will result in an error message.
FAQ 6: Is Movies Anywhere a Replacement for Ultraviolet?
Yes, Movies Anywhere is often considered a successor to Ultraviolet. It offers a similar function of consolidating digital movie libraries from multiple retailers into one central location. However, unlike Ultraviolet, Movies Anywhere does not provide its own digital locker. It acts as a hub for connecting existing retailer accounts.
FAQ 7: Does Movies Anywhere Support All Retailers?
No, Movies Anywhere only supports a limited number of participating retailers. These currently include iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Movies & TV, and Xfinity.
FAQ 8: Can I Transfer Movies From Ultraviolet to Movies Anywhere?
No, you cannot directly transfer movies from Ultraviolet to Movies Anywhere. The transfer process occurred automatically when Ultraviolet shut down, and your movies were moved to a UV-linked retailer (typically Vudu). From there, you can link your Vudu account to Movies Anywhere to consolidate your library.
FAQ 9: What Happens if a Digital Retailer I Use Goes Out of Business?
This is a valid concern. If a digital retailer goes out of business, you may lose access to your purchased movies. This is one of the risks associated with digital ownership. Using Movies Anywhere can mitigate this risk somewhat, as it allows you to consolidate your library across multiple retailers.
FAQ 10: Are There Any Legal Issues With Downloading Movies From Unofficial Sources?
Yes, downloading movies from unofficial sources (e.g., torrent sites, illegal streaming services) is illegal and constitutes copyright infringement. You could face legal penalties for engaging in such activities.
FAQ 11: How Can I Ensure the Longevity of My Digital Movie Library?
To increase the longevity of your digital movie library, consider the following:
- Use Movies Anywhere: Consolidate your library across multiple participating retailers.
- Choose Reputable Retailers: Stick with established retailers that are less likely to go out of business.
- Keep Backups: While not always feasible, consider backing up your digital movie files (if permitted by the retailer’s terms of service).
- Consider Physical Media: Don’t completely abandon physical media (Blu-ray, DVD).
FAQ 12: Is There Any Hope for a True Universal Digital Movie Platform in the Future?
While the landscape of digital movie ownership is constantly evolving, the complexities of licensing agreements and studio rivalries make a truly universal platform challenging to achieve. Movies Anywhere is the closest we have to a universal platform currently, but it’s not a perfect solution. The future may bring new technologies and business models that simplify digital movie ownership, but for now, consumers need to be aware of the limitations and risks involved.