The Secret of North American Physical Movie Releases – Physical Editions Come with Digital Versions (Updated 2017.10.31)

*********************Updated 10/31/2017****************************

Movies Anywhere only displays synced movies, while Vudu displays synced TV shows. So if you have a TV library, I recommend the Vudu app (although the experience isn't great).

Since the redeem code for my previously purchased Breaking Bad Complete Series had expired, I contacted customer service, and they actually gave me a new one for free! Thumbs up to Sony!

Below is a list of interconnected libraries:

Sony Pictures Home -> UltraViolet

UltraViolet -> Sony Pictures Home/VUDU/WB Movies/Flixster Video

VUDU -> MoviesAnywhere/UltraViolet

MoviesAnywhere -> VUDU/Amazon Movies/Google Movies/Apple itunes

*********************end of Update****************************

Because of my hobby of collecting, I have a particular fondness for physical copies, which extends to movies. I recently compiled a list of excellent movies from the past 20 years and bought physical copies of any I hadn't seen (it's quite satisfying to have a shelf full of physical copies). Recently, I felt I should make the most of my mealtimes by buying a few American TV series. However, I found that watching them on DVDs is rather inconvenient, since not all TVs can be connected to Blu-ray players. While searching for a solution, I discovered the digital copies that came with the DVDs, and it felt like discovering a whole new world.

Previously, I always thought of buying or renting digital versions from YouTube or Amazon. Since I already had the CD version, I figured there was no need to buy a digital copy. However, while organizing my CDs, I discovered that almost all of them came with a small slip of paper (as shown in the picture) containing some kind of code. So I decided to investigate.

I opened all the disc versions, and every new Blu-ray movie came with a digital copy, which is the slip of paper shown above. Although the redemption websites are different, they are interconnected! What does that mean? It means that no matter where you redeem it, you can manage it all under one account. And there are essentially three places to redeem:

1. Disney movies anywhere
2. Sony pictures/ultraviolet
3. Universal Film & Television

Most of the slips of paper indicate where to redeem the item on one of these three websites. Only a few exceptions require inserting a CD into a computer or using other methods, but generally it just involves a few more steps. Just follow the website address on the slip to redeem. Note that there is a redemption period; before buying, it's best to check the markings on the box (as shown in the picture) to confirm the time and whether a digital copy is available.

So where does the money go after it's been redeemed? It mainly goes through the following channels:

1. movies anywhere
2. vudu
3. ultraviolet
4. fandangonow
5. Google Play
6. Apple iTunes

Such scattered redemption is actually very inconvenient to manage; with a large number of movies, it's hard to know which one is where. However, Vudu and Movies Anywhere provide excellent account link services. Vudu can connect to Ultraviolet, while Movies Anywhere can connect to Google Play and Apple iTunes, basically connecting to everything except Fandangonow.

Furthermore! The accounts on these two platforms can be linked, meaning that once you register on both platforms, utilize their individual connections, and then connect them together, you can access all platforms except fandangonow. This solves the problem of not being able to centrally manage movies.

In my experience, without exception, all my movies fall within the above-mentioned platforms, and those with the "fandangonow" option generally also have a second option for other platforms, so they basically cover all my movies without any problems.

In addition, both Vudu and Movies Anywhere have apps that can be downloaded and watched directly on your phone, and the app also supports direct streaming to your TV, which is very convenient. Incidentally, the Movies Anywhere app offers a better user experience.

Therefore, buying the hard copy on CD seems more cost-effective, allowing you to keep it as a collectible while also getting a portable digital copy. And won't a 4K HDR digital copy overload your internet connection?