Gizmodo
If you've been wondering how to compare the video-download options of Apple TV, Vudu and the Xbox 360, I think today is your lucky day.
A few weeks back, I wrote up a piece on Vudu's high-definition video falling short of my expectations. Today I bring you a more thorough report of the three most compelling set-top boxes and their video-download capabilities. Apple TV, Vudu and Xbox 360 all have a lot going for them, but by looking at them side-by-side, you can see how their makers are all taking different paths to get to the ultimate desired end. Dive into the chart, then have a look at the screengrabs from three movies, to really get a feel for the progress, or lack of progress, in the world of HD downloads.
Just so you know, in addition to skipping everything that requires an actual PC (including HP's MediaSmart receivers), I omitted TiVo from the running for now, for two reasons: 1) the Amazon Unbox on TiVo doesn't yet offer HD movie downloads; and 2) TiVo itself is a subscription service, whereas these systems don't charge a monthly fee for the privilege of renting movies.
You can see how frustrating it is to pick a winner when you look at the three systems on paper. Fortunately, things clear up a bit when you compare stills I shot at the same time, on the same Panasonic 1080p plasma TV.
Screens from Ratatouille—note that the Vudu shot is standard-definition only:
Screens from 3:10 to Yuma—note that the Apple TV shot is standard-definition only:
Screens from Transformers—here the three devices are all running high-def versions, and I've mixed in a screen from the HD DVD of it as well, for surprising comparison.
Keep in mind that the key here is to compare the shots with each other, as they were all shot the same way. (Note that the same perceived down-rezzing issue I noted before on Vudu's high-def is still obvious.)
Now that you've seen all the evidence I could gather. It's a toss-up to me, though I think for content I have to lean towards Vudu and for pure video quality (and most HD content) the Xbox 360 is hard to beat. Meanwhile, Apple TV is cheapest and lives up to its name with the best access to actual TV programming—though NBC is still painfully absent. How about helping me make the call here?
Comments
This is shaping up to be an Apple fanboys vs. haters vote... and Vudu is caught in the crossfire.
FYI you can get certain TV shows in HD through xbox live (Enterprise for one)...
What about the local video store? 7 day rental for $4.29! Rock!
Isn't the 360 getting the ability to stream direct from NetFlix, so wouldn't that boost the total number of movies a lot. I know this comparison was for what they can do now, but I would have put a possible NetFlix tie-in as a PRO for the 360.
What about FyreTV? I think that has the most promise of all!
I think if your a movie buff then the 360 has to be the choice because of the incredibly simple MCE integration... Anything you can record with windows (which is almost anything) can be viewed on the xbox, and this is different then the apple tv because of the tight tuner integration.
Comcast OnDemand FTW
I'm an Apple guy - the HD-DVD wins easily, followed by the 360 (I like me some games), then the VUDU, with AppleTV bringing up the rear.
I really don't give a damn about TV downloads, that's what actual TV is for.
It's a toss up with HD movies because soon all 3 will have the same library, so the deciding factor should be non-movie content. At the moment, the winner is the xbox 360. It has the most contracts with televisions studios to distribute content (that I know of) and it's making a big effort in getting as much HD content as possible. Pricing is fair, and it plays games to boot! I'm a big fan of the UFC fights it offers to download and keep forever.
I don't know about you guys, but placing the XBOX 360 (a GAMING console) in the same comparison test as these other two "set-top" boxes isn't really fair - it's still kicking ass though ;)
I would have rather that Giz. tested out a third piece of kit unrelated to gaming and then performed a separate comparison between XBOX, PS3 and the Wii
@Hiphopopotamus: Obviously we're subliminally pulling for the 360—I mean look how much bigger Wilson made the picture of it.
it's very, very close between the appletv and the 360. but when you factor in that the 360 is not just a media player but also a frickin game console, the winner is pretty clear.
I haven't heard about a Netflix deal for XBox - I don't think Microsoft actually needs Netflix.
My money in this battlemodo is on the XBox just because I don't think any dedicated streaming box (other than the one that I get from my cable company) is really worth it. I'd rather have a gaming machine with some streaming vid as gravy than lay out $300 for a device that does nothing more than let me rent movies.
My money is still with Netflix anyway. Though the streaming does require a PC for now, at least it's free.
And unfortunately there is NO video download service for anywhere outside America...
I recently took part in a survey (sorry, no screenshots) that ask questions related to the possibility that Vudu may be available shortly at a discounted rate with a subscription. Through Blockbuster, of all places. It'll be interesting to see if it comes to fruition.
Xbox kills here because of the added benefit of games. Then again, I'm a ps3 fan so I'm hoping they bring either Netflix on board, or start their own download service.
Also...I think Tivo is a viable contender in this realm with Amazon Unbox. Especially if Amazon starts HD downloads.
In the Ratatouille scene, notice how dark the AppleTV's picture is, and the lack of dynamic range when compared with the XBox. With the XBox, you can see the underside of the pages of the book over Remy's head, whereas with AppleTV you can't; and highlights of the scene (such as the rat's nose) aren't blown out on the XBox, either. The Vudu and XBox looked pretty close in the 3:10 to Yuma shots, but I think the XBox had a shade more sharpness in Transformers.
HD on the 360 looks very clean. It is hard to beat. These other providers of HD downloads who give us over compressed downrezzed junk just tick me off. What's the point of calling it HD if it only looks slightly better than upconverted DVD? If you can't do HD right, don't do it at all.
But for my money, I still go Blu whenever I can, for full 1080 glory on my big screen.
Xbox 360. MCE Integration is hot also it has "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" available. I now prefer to watch my TV for $2/episode, legally and without commercials. Now, if only it were in HD...
once again downloads cant compare to the actual disc copy. though the 360 looks the best between them.
Glad i have a PS3 for Blu-ray, costs more for film, but actually owning it and the dramatically better picture are worth it.
I thought that you kept all of the movies you rented on the vudu.
I still say vudu though. Its way hotter and well it ahs support for 2 more hard drives and that could be expanded by other usb ports.
You also could just record the screen of your TV if its connected to your computer.
Personally i dont want to DL anything until its mine to keep for ever with very little DRM and its Really 1080P w/ HD lossless sound (yes i have a huge ass tv so it does matter).. So id rather have a physical Bluray disc or rent them as i do know with Blockbuster online
Since every device has a bit of a difference in its output, I'm curious as to why the Apple TV shots we left so dark? Also, I know the Xbox is probably component cables, but what about the other two devices, HDMI? It is striking to see the contrast difference between the Apple TV and the other 2 devices. I've never noticed my Apple TV looking any different than my DVD player or my DirecTV box. I would say the Xbox's video is probably tweaked to be a little brighter, more saturated because of that being a benefit for games. I own both an Xbox and Apple TV and don't have to adjust my TV between the two in order to get a great picture. Anyway, based on the photos used here, the Xbox appears to have a much better picture.
It's very hard to judge video quality based on screenshots only, but thank you for trying.
However, I find the chart to be the most useful part here (much better than AppleInsider's one). Although, to be picky, Vudu is $295+free shipping and not $300.
Anyway, I own Vudu (and 360, but I don't use it for rentals) but was looking at AppleTV (to hack & use as media extender) but I must say I am pretty disappointed by low number of titles. They promised 1000 by the end of February, so what happened to that? :(
I get many more movies out of my Xbox 360 than what is shown here, though, come to think of it, they are all xvid ;) I think that with the added benefit of xvid/divx the 360 is the hands down winner right now. FWIW, I just ordered a PS3 and the Apple TV will be on its way shortly as well.
Next up: Aston Martin DB8 vs Honda Civic EX! Who will win the competition!?!?!?
@imTheKing: Honda Civic EX FTW! Astons are too scared of getting dirty. Would you take a mint Mickey Mantle rookie card out of its case?
i'll go with the apple tv, but if your a xbox 360 owner you can skip it i guess. I sold my the 360 a few month ago and got a apple tv a week ago, i don't know whats going on but these video games are not fun anymore, everything is like a freaking mission where you have to hear a freaking bull shiet story before doing anything or go throw a point less training
Not sure what the rental limitations are for VuDu and XBOX 360, but Apple TV has some limitations that you should be aware of:
- if you rent from a computer that has iTunes on it, make sure it's the one that you have setup to sync with Apple TV.
- all rentals are moved, not copied. So if you are watching the rental on your computer you will need to move it to the iPod.
I think that the ability to connect the 360 and apple tv to a computer is a big advantage for both of them. If you are savvy enough you could get almost limitless content on them without "hacking." The one thing that the 360 has the others dont (besides games) is the ability to actually PLAY A DVD. Add that to the Media Center and there is nothing you cannot watch on a 360 (and if hddvd had won there would be that too, yes i am still a little bitter). If Netflix joins with Xbox one would be stupid to buy any of those others boxes.
Honestly, the major Con for the XBOX360 is the pricing structure. I hate buying XBOX points. And when you do the math it's crazy expensive. But the bang for your buck factor of the hardware (gaming, movie/tv show downloads, media streaming capabilities) put it above the Apple TV for me at least.
I have an Xbox360 and a Vudu. The 360 has done a better job so far with getting TV shows but the Vudu has a better movie selection. The downside to the 360 is that it has less storage space and is much noisier. The Vudu is pretty much silent. If the content is there I'll use the Vudu, otherwise I'll go to the 360.
If you have MCE on your 360, you can also connect with Netflix and several other movie download sites from your 360.
doesnt m$ own that HD codec that both blu and HD-dvd used? wouldnt the 360 have an advantage? i say 360 needs native divx/xvid ftw!.. also this 24hour limit crap does nothing to make me want it.. give me netflix type.. subscription based.. x number of movies 'out' at a time.. the next on in ur queue downloads when u finish..
also.. if 360 is going to have HD downloads.. PLEASE LET ME CONNECT A USB EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE AND USE FOR CONTENT!!.. but enough about me....
It is all about teh gamez!
With Connect360 by Nullriver I can stream my divx encoded movies through my wireless network from my Apple computer to my Xbox 360. It's VERY sweet and convenient.
Apple TV will suceed only if Apple can actually get some content. Their title selection is about as good as OnDemand from TimeWarner.
When Apple announced rentals, I declared them the winner. The two big advantages X-Box had were rentals and HD. Apple has both of those now. Is the HD as good? Probably not, but good enough. I own both anyway, but if I had to pick one to live with, it would definitely be Apple for their massive television selection.
If you don't need HD, take a look at the Archos TV+...
How Much? $229 (80 GB); $327(250GB)
Subscription? No
Computer required? No
Pros Wi-Fi, Stream DivX from PC, Surf Internet
Cons No games, No HD
# of Movies Total 953 rental, 1796 purchase (through CinemaNow.com)
# of TV Shows 126
Well peeps they were all very close obviously the HD-DVD looked the best of all three, the other thing I noticed was that the picture on the 360 was brighter than the others, pay close attention at the picture of the mouse jumping out the window.
You can also see this on the 3:10 to Yuma pictures on the background the mountains are very dark in all the other services.
I would go with HD-DVD FTW! followed by the 360 then Apple and Vudu at the end.
@dle5:
Fanboy!!!!!!!!
Gears of War/Halo 3/GTA4?
Apple TV: No
Vudu: No
Xbox 360: Yes
heres a new one: PS3+joox
@baltwade: yeah but Netflix streaming is VHS quality not even SD...
@tastybytes: No, MS doesn't own the codec used by HD DVD and BRD. They both use MPEG4 (H.264) which is an industry standard codec. Apple also uses H.264 for its downloads.
If you look at these as only being stand alone player and that's it, then it's too close to call and personal loyalities are the deciding factor. But... when you look at what each unit can do the 360 has to be the winner.
Download movies and tv shows directly, check.
Play almost any video file that you have or can stream from your computer, check.
Play the latest and greatest video games and vintage games too, check.
@legacye:
I think its more than fair to include the gaming system, let's see how it compares to producs being sold strictly for tv shows/movie use especially for the money.
Although it would be fun to see how all the game consoles fair against each other and vs. the vudu and apple tv.
For me, the Vudu isn't a consideration, because most of my movie collection is ripped DVDs. It's good to have the option of being self-contained, pick the movie from the device and watch it there, but I don't want to be limited to that. So it's down to the Apple TV or the 360.
Now, I'm an Apple user since 1977, so it's not surprising that I went for the Apple TV. I've had an Apple TV since they were released. But I've got two main reasons that even now, I'd pick the ATV.
First, I've got a Mac, so the software to transfer media from the computer to the XBox 360 is likely to be more than a little hackish. Also, as I understand it, it's necessary to transfer the media, unlike the AppleTV that can stream from the computer.
Second, in the bedroom, the Apple TV is silent, and requires very little room. I just turn on the TV, switch to the Apple TV input, and pick the movie to watch. It's always on, but doesn't disturb my sleep.
I am disappointed in the number of items to rent, though the entry of "all rental" surprised me. There are a number of movies for purchase (I've purchased several, though not since rentals were released).
personally, i would give apple tv the top pick because it makes the easiest way to get video podcasts onto the tv... diggnation, totally rad show, tekzilla and webbalert available whenever? i could care less about the tv or video rentals. its all about the podcasts baby. apple tv ftw
I'd say the 360 wins, then Apple TV and then VuDu.. Not even sure why they're even involved, the PQ is horrible.
@doctorSpoc: That doesn't sound right, but I wouldn't know. I do know that NetFlix offers over 7,000 titles for their direct downloads. Also if you don't like the movie choices offer you can always search BitTorrent. The 360 will also play those.
@legacye: I've been watching the media options on Wii and PS3 for a while—when they're mature enough, you'll get your wish!
Ernest goes to Jail is an Xbox 360 Notable Movie?
@toddgarvin: All of the tested products were connected via HDMI cable—the Xbox is an Elite, though now I think all Xboxes sell with HDMI jacks. (Finally!)
@chillywilly: The rentals on the Vudu and the Xbox 360 stay inside the box, as I noted in the chart. Thanks for pointing out that other stuff re: iPods, though.