UltraViolet (DRM)
Encyclopedia
UltraViolet 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. 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.
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 and Disney do not support this format.
. 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. 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.
The Walt Disney Company
is backing its proprietary Keychest
digital file service and is not currently a member of DECE. 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.
, 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.
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.
The selected DRM 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).
Cloud computing
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility over a network ....
licensing system that allows consumers of digital home entertainment content to stream and download purchased content to multiple platforms and devices. 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.
UltraViolet is developed and deployed by the 70-plus members of the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem
Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem
The Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem is a consortium of major Hollywood studios, consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers, network hardware vendors, systems integrators and Digital Rights Management vendors...
consortium, which includes film studios, retailers, consumer electronics manufacturers, cable companies, ISPs, network hosting vendors, and other Internet systems and security vendors.
Apple and Disney do not support this format.
User experience
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 this 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 salePoint of sale
Point of sale or checkout is the location where a transaction occurs...
. 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. 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.
Digital locker
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.Content partners
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:- Sony Pictures EntertainmentSony Pictures EntertainmentSony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. is the television and film production/distribution unit of Japanese multinational technology and media conglomerate Sony...
- NBCUniversal
- Fox Entertainment GroupFox Entertainment GroupThe Fox Entertainment Group is an American entertainment industry company that owns film studios and terrestrial, cable, and direct broadcast satellite television properties...
- Paramount Motion Pictures Group
- Warner Bros. Entertainment
- Lionsgate
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
is backing its proprietary Keychest
Keychest
Keychest is a video-on-demand service currently under development by The Walt Disney Company, with a goal of providing digital media to customers through any internet-enabled device...
digital file service and is not currently a member of DECE. Non-participation in the DECE consortium does not preclude Disney from licensing use of the technical specifications; API
Application programming interface
An application programming interface is a source code based specification intended to be used as an interface by software components to communicate with each other...
-enabled interaction with the UV Account infrastructure; and
promotional and marketing use of the UV logo for UV content and devices.
The Common File Format (CFF)
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 FormatISO base media file format
ISO base media file format defines a general structure for time-based multimedia files such as video and audio. It is used as the basis for other media file formats...
, 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.
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.
Legacy Streaming
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.Selected DRM technologies
UltraViolet selected five DRM technologies allowing rights management on a broad range of devices: televisions, set-top-boxes, DVD & Blu-ray players, games consoles, PC, tablets and smartphones.The selected DRM are:
- Google Widevine DRM, chosen for its strong position on set-top boxes
- Marlin DRMMarlin (DRM)Marlin is a DRM platform created by an open-standards community initiative called the . The Marlin initiative is based on the fundamental notion that interoperability and openness are essential to sustainable commercial success....
, chosen for its compatibility with many Connected TVs - OMA CMLA-OMA v2OMA DRMOMA DRM is a Digital Rights Management system invented by the Open Mobile Alliance, whose members represent mobile phone manufacturers , mobile system manufacturers , mobile phone network operators OMA DRM is a Digital Rights Management (DRM) system invented by the Open Mobile Alliance, whose...
, chosen for its strong position on mobile devices - Microsoft PlayReadyPlayReadyPlayReady is a Digital Rights Management from Microsoft for portable devices. It was announced in February 2007.The main differences relative to previous DRM schemes from Microsoft are:...
, chosen for its wide availability on PC and CE devices - Adobe FlashAdobe FlashAdobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
Access 2.0, chosen for its wide availability on PC
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).