Vudu
”State of The Infinite Format War: Get Ready for Five Long Years of Set-Top Battle Royale
One year ago, we predicted that the infinite format war would rise from the ashes of the HD DVD/Blu-ray format war—that a million online services and set-top boxes would suddenly promise to deliver movies and video to your computer or TV. And that each one would essentially be their own format, since none of them are compatible, and each would promise only a fraction of available movies. We were right about our fears, but we also have a solution to a decent download collection.
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Vudu Finally Gets Wireless Kit (Works Fine, Expensive by Competitive Measures)
So many products, including the $100 Roku Netflix box, come with wireless, so it was surprising that the $300 Vudu broadband video-on-demand box requires a hard Ethernet connection. Today Vudu announces an $80 Vudu-branded Ethernet-to-802.11g bridge kit built by Asus. I tried it over the weekend, and it worked great.
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Vudu Version 1.5 Update Lets You Extend Expired Movies (Every Video Service Needs This)
Vudu has just been bumped to version 1.5, and the headlining feature should make its way to every video rental setup: Extensions! If you only get halfway through No Country for Old Men (or any other flick) before the 24-hour window is up, you can extend the rental period for a discounted price, $2 off HD movies and a buck off regular ones. The option is available for a week after the flick expires, and then you have another 30 days to start watching, and 24-48 hours after you hit play. Downside is you can only extend a movie once. Still, awesome and overdue feature. [Vudu]PS3 Movie and TV VOD Service Arriving... Sometime
Sony is preparing for the inevitable and will launch a movie and TV video-on-demand service for the PS3 to compete with the glut of other options already available, according to Sony's Peter Dille. He was thin on details, saying the only thing that we'd be getting "very soon" is more details on the service, which he claims will separate itself from the pack that we've already seen. Does that mean low-budget stag films? Exclusively movies/shows that feature Kareem Abdul-Jabaar? Only time will tell. [Kotaku]Vudu Test Confirms HD Download Worries (Plus: What Needs to Be Done)
Over the weekend, I checked out three versions of the Transformers movie: standard-def and high-def instantaneous downloads to the Vudu box with 4-Mbps net connection, as well as the HD DVD of the movie, playing through the Xbox 360. As you can see in the image above, the so-called HD experience from Vudu wasn't one that could come close to comparing with the HD DVD playback. In fact, it was awfully hard to see a vivid difference between that and the perfectly fine (and $2 cheaper) SD download.
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Vudu Update Brings 80 More HD Movie Titles, Other Goodies
The Vudu software has just been updated to version 1.2, and with it comes 80 new HD titles for rent. The new additions will be in the price range of $3.99 - $5.99, but the upgrade will also bring added functionality, including instant HD, (an indicator that alerts the user broadband speeds are high enough for HD content downloads); speed limit adjustment control, (user definable bandwidth limits and recommendations based on the imposed limit) and a constant audio setting for high-end audio equipment compatibility. In addition the UI will also get a slight re-work. Apple TV, are you scared? Not even a little? [Vudu Forum via TV Snob]
dealzmodo
Vudu Box Price Drops $100, Still Gonna Cost You $300
Starting right now, the price of the standard Vudu setup is $300, down from $400, but still a tad higher than we'd like to pay for the convenient no-subscription pay-per-view VOD box. What? You bought one during the past month and are kicking yourself? That's okay—check in with Vudu customer service, and you'll get $100 in credit towards movie rentals or purchases. The first two Bourne movies will be free (in HD) on any box you buy, and there are now other free movies too, mostly dusty old flicks from bygone days, but still. TV shows are also popping on the Vudu service, and some will start at just 50 cents. Still, is it worth $300? Perhaps we'll have to square it off against the new Apple TV to find out. Oh, and that 500-movie Vudu XL box will still cost $999. [Vudu]Vudu XL HD Video Download Box Is Biggest Vudu Ever
The new Vudu XL is the higher capacity version of the Vudu download and play video box. This Vudu model can hold 500 standard definition movies for $999, with 1080p/24 output over HDMI and component with optical and coaxial digital sound. The Vudu XL allows you to rent and download standard- and high-definition movies from "every major US studio and 22 independents." In fact, the are adding new HD movies by the end of January:
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Buy a Sharp HDTV, Get a Vudu and $50 Movie Credit for Free
Buyers of new Sharp 1080p HDTVs over 42 inches will get a bonus with their purchase: a free Vudu set-top box. If you were thinking about checking out the on-demand box for yourself and are looking to buy a new big-screen TV, this could be a solid deal for you, as the Vudu's run $400 on their own. In addition to the box, you get a $50 movie credit to get you started. Huzzah for deals! [Product Page via Electronista]
digital downloads
XstreamHD Promises Full HD Movies from Satellite to Cheap Set-Top Box In Minutes
In November, we got a vague press release about XstreamHD, a new kind of satellite video service that claims it would go where DirecTV, Amazon, TiVo, Apple, and Netflix couldn't, and deliver full 1080p movies with 7.1-channel sound to the home. Well, new details have come to light that make us hanker for a test run of this crazy new service. However, I also see a few major question marks here that will hopefully be addressed in January at CES. More »
digital downloads
Vudu Adds Fox TV Shows to its VOD Lineup, Kicks off HD Downloading
Starting today in beta, Vudu owners can pay $1.99 a piece for episodes of 24, Family Guy, Firefly and other Fox-produced shows in standard-def video. Today also marks the availability of the Bourne Ultimatum for purchase in high-def. Though the $399 Vudu's signature attribute is immediate viewing of movies, we're told HD downloads won't be ready pronto, but will take a buffering period that could be long if your network isn't hot. In other words, if you do plan to buy it—for $25—buy it early. [Crave and Vudu]Vudu Goes HD, Thumbs Nose at Blu-ray and HD DVD
This winter, Vudu will give every Vudu owner and new buyer copies of both The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy, pre-loaded on their boxes in glorious HD. They will also have the opportunity to download The Bourne Ultimatum to own for $25. This is a sign that Vudu—and Universal—are looking past the current format war toward the increasingly inevitable download-only distribution.
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dealzmodo
$100 Off Vudu!
Vudu, that video download box with full studio support, is one of those interesting set top boxes that is good, but maybe not great. The price was a little steep, but now they're going for $299 after shaving $100 off the top. The limited offer is good through October 23rd, and you have to use the VUDURULES code at checkout. But before plunking down your cash, you might want to check out the Giz review. [Zatz]Vudu Video Wonderbox Picture Walkthrough and Review: Just Short of Wonderful
Rather than just tell you what's great (and terrible) about the hot new Vudu video-on-demand box, I thought I'd show you, so come on...
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nyt pulpbite
Pogue Sees Eye-to-Eye With Vudu Video-on-Demand Box (Verdict: Mostly Great)
Pushing out his review a bit before the official embargo lifted last night, our favorite Times wonder-reporter put the video store in a box, Vudu, through its paces and walked away mostly happy with the experience. Brownie points for: picture quality, slick five-button remote, pay-per-flick, and truly instant viewing. Buts: More »New Details and Screenshots of the Vudu Video-On-Demand Box
Back in April, we introduced you to Vudu, the hybrid peer-to-peer video-on-demand box with all 7 major studios on board, is coming soon to a home theater near you. Today we got to play around with it a little more, and see how the navigation works. More »









