UltraViolet

UV is a digital rights authentication and cloud-based licensing system that provides users a "buy once, play anywhere" approach allowing them to store digital proof-of-purchases under one account to enable playback of content that is platform- and point-of-sale-agnostic.

UltraViolet is deployed by the 74 members of the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem consortium (DECE) and is a standalone application for devices that allow streaming & downloads of pre-purchased media.

User experience

Content consumers create a free-of-charge UltraViolet account, either through a participating service provider, or through the UltraViolet website, with six accounts allowed per household. An UltraViolet 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). Once downloaded, an UltraViolet file can be played on any UltraViolet player registered to the household account, but it will not play on devices which are not compatible with UltraViolet. Files can also be streamed over the Internet. 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, and is not a "cloud storage" platform. The rights for purchased or rented content are stored on the service. UltraViolet only coordinates and manages the licenses 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.

Standard File Formats

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, and other kinds of data are used across the whole UltraViolet ecosystem. Because every UltraViolet title arrives in this format, it will generally play on any UltraViolet branded device.

UltraViolet files use 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 sub pictures such as sign language and written commentaries.