Tesco UltraViolet system “too complicated” for most

Tesco has raised doubts about the viability of its planned UltraViolet digital locker system, on the grounds that it could be excessively complex for the average consumer.

During the Future of Entertainment Summit which took place yesterday in London, Rob Salter, Tesco category director of entertainment, hinted at the unlikeliness of the UltraViolet programme being implemented any time soon.

UltraViolet has the backing of the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE), which includes all the major film studios (besides The Walt Disney Company), retailers, consumer electronics manufacturers and internet service providers, among others.

This consortium is looking to promote the UltraViolet system of digital rights which allows customers to stream and download content they have purchased onto several different platforms.

Back in December last year, it was announced by the supermarket chain that those purchasing DVD or Blu-ray copies would be able to own an “online copy”.

It appears as though Tesco is set to concentrate on this service, which is running alongside the video-on-demand operator blinkbox, and continue to provide its “digital extra” offering, which includes a digital version with the purchase of hard copy DVD product.