Gizmodo
-
vudu
Vudu Players Can Now Stream Pandora Internet Radio
Vudu expanded upon its Rich Internet Application (RIA) platform today with a little music, as the popular, personalized Pandora Internet radio service is now immediately available to customers. More »
3,769
14
By Jack LoftusComment by Bearded Rapper: @Jason Chen: Did you really fake yourself to be Jason Chen to do that? Sadass. 2 Responses | Other threads
-
set-top boxes
ZillionTV: Oh Jeez, Hulu and Roku Done Had Themselves a Baby
Streaming TV is on the up and up—that much is clear. What, then, does ZillionTV offer that, say, Hulu, Netflix, Vudu, and Apple TV don't? A little convergence, maybe. More »
13,323
By John HerrmanComment by object: List of content or it doesn't exist. 2 Responses | Other threads
-
dealzmodo
Vudu Box Drops to $150, Leaving Us Confused
Vudu just announced that its video-on-demand movie boxes would start selling for $150, down from $300, citing the "rewards of success" and not "imminent failure," like we first assumed when we saw this. More » -
dealzmodo
Vudu Box Now $99 Straight Up
Is Vudu feeling okay? There seems like little other reason to explain why they've slashed the price of their box to $99 straight up, no extra $50 for movie credits or catches. [Vudu via Electronic House] -
dealzmodo
Vudu $200 Off
It's hard to read whether this is desperation or just a good deal, but Vudu has knocked $200 off its player, now just $100—you just gotta buy $50 of movie credits too. [Vudu via Engadget] -
vudu
VUDU Offering 120 Channels of Free Media with New App Platform
Vudu has announced a plan of expansion for its formerly closed set top box. The company has initiated a platform for developing web applications while expanding free content on Vudu boxes immediately. -
neuros
Neuros Releases the Link, an Open Source, Web-Savvy Set-Top Box
Neuros, who built their reputation with weird, chunky (but wonderful) modular MP3 players, has long since moved exclusively to the home entertainment field. Their latest attempt at eroding the Apple TV's market share is the Link, a set-top streaming box that will pull video from a wide range of online TV sources — Hulu, NBC, ABC, etc. — as well as stream local audio and video content from any USB hard drive. As is always the case with Neuros set-tops, the Link's software is open source and ready for modification. This time, mercifully, that might not be the box's biggest draw. More »
5,364
By John HerrmanComment by KeepingTheForeName_GitEmSteveDave: I like the keyboard. I was in the market for a media PC keyboard until I started VNCing my... 4 Responses | Other threads
-
streaming
The Tech Specs of HD Netflix Streaming
Hats off to Netflix. Without really being prompted, they've released their HD encoding/streaming specifications for the world to see. The company revealed that they originally considered a WMV3 (Windows Media Player 9) codec running at 4000kbps and 5500kbps, but opted instead for a similar Microsoft codec, the VC1AP running between 2600kbps and 3800kbps—which should provide a better experience for those of us with lower bandwidths. More »
13,174
By Mark WilsonComment by Ideapimp: Or how about working on a Mac? 9 Responses | Other threads
-
-
vudu
Vudu XL2: Internet Streaming Goes Rack Mounted
For the guy who wants a Vudu system but demands a rack-mountable setup, the Vudu XL2 is here to foot the bill in Armani boots. It's essentially a Vudu XL in a premium aluminum package, storing a terabyte of content while squeezing within one rack unit of space. The catch is that it's priced at $1300. But hey, it costs to be Mr. I Have a Custom Home Theater Installer. Read on for the full details. More »
2,060
By Mark WilsonComment by CountryDevil: No Thanks!!! My Vudu BX100 works just fine thank you.... more » | Other threads
-
digital downloads
Vudu's HD Offerings Top Everyone, They Offer $200 In Recognition of Their Own Awesomeness
While standard definition digital downloads are still gaining in popularity, Vudu has been actively building their HD catalog of streaming films. This week, Vudu adds 389 HD movies to break 1,000 HD titles available for streaming (actually, breaking 1,100 but that sounds so much less impressive). Vudu claims their digital library to be the largest HD library in the world (Blu-ray included). We hope it's not to long until we're running a 10,000 download follow up. More » -
entertainment
This Week In Digital Streaming: Netflix Joins Vudu Edition
For the past several week's we've been giving you Vudu's new release movie rentals in a handy list. This week, Netflix streaming clips join the mix of our coverage (they aren't teaming with Vudu or something). Given that Netflix has just signed to share Starz content, their formerly disappointing digital library is looking better by the second. Here's all of the latest Vudu and Netflix digital content in a mega list: More »
5,857
By Mark WilsonComment by maxentropy: 3/4 of those netflix movies I've never heard of but sound outrageously awesome. Naked FearNuns on the RunIllegally Yours Sounds like some... 4 Responses | Other threads
-
vudu
This Week in VUDU: 186 New Flicks
This week, VUDU got 33 more HDX releases (yes, that is the dreaded Blacula that you see there) along with 153 HD movies (including Space Balls). Read on for the full list. More »
2,327
By Mark WilsonComment by Jrsy Devil's Food Cake®: And that list could have been cut in half in terms of movies worth watching. 2 Responses | Other threads
-
movies
This Week in VUDU: 70 Movie Update
This week, VUDU has 63 new HD movies and 7 new titles available on HDX. That's a pretty big fall off from last week's release 63 HDX movies alone. Hopefully VUDU won't lose too much momentum on their Blu-ray-challenging digital format. Here's the full list: More » -
movies
This Week in VUDU: Hellloo 63 HDX Movies
VUDU has over 120 new HD flicks available for rent this week, but the big news is that half of those films are in their new HDX format—downloadable HD that looks a lot better than the current downloadable, highly compressed "HD" we're accustomed to. Read on for the full new HD and HDX lists. More »
3,682
By Mark WilsonComment by voltron80: This will go awesome with my new Comcast bandwidth limits I just got! 2 Responses | Other threads
-
dealzmodo
Dealzmodo: Buy Vudu at Best Buy, Get $200 In Free Movies
If Vudu's new "insanely sharp" HDX downloads sounded exciting but you're bummed about the box's $295 price, heads up: If you buy a Vudu from Best Buy between now and 12/31, you get $200 off of your movie purchases. The box has no subscription but requires that you pay for each movie individually (to rent or own), so this is basically like getting the box itself for $95. Here are the catches: You have to use the credit in the first four months (easy); return Vudu after using up credits and they charge your account (oh well); and the credit doesn't cover any "midnight" movies from AVN. (NOOO! Way to ruin a good thing, o puritans of Best Buy!) [Vudu] -
vudu
Vudu HDX 1080p Movie Downloads Reviewed: "Insanely Sharp"
Vudu's new HDX 1080p movies—promised to be "Blu-ray quality"—go live today. David Pogue has the first look, and while HDX movies are not literally Blu-ray quality (which would be an impossible with our crappy broadband), they are indeed "insanely sharp" and compared to other movie downloads, it's like "seeing a movie on VHS videotape and DVD side by side." More » -
itunes 8
Giz Explains: Why HD Video Downloads Aren't Very High Def
Yesterday Apple introduced HD TV downloads to the iTunes store, meaning you can watch Peter be super emo on Heroes at a crispy 720p resolution. That's a higher resolution than DVD, and technically, yup, that's HD. There's a catch though. Like every other video download service touting HD videos, it's all actually lower quality than DVD. More » -
vudu
Vudu Testing Blu-ray Quality "HDX" Flicks
Apparently some Vudu beta testers are being asked to check out new HD downloads that are supposed to match Blu-ray quality. These new HDX flicks are so data heavy, you've gotta wait two to three hours just for the flick to start. More » -
comcast
LEAK: Comcast's Mobile Store Is Actually Quite Promising
Earlier today, we published the article Comcast's Video Download Store Is Wholly Unremarkable about Comcast's expansion of Fancast, a place to download movies a la Amazon Unbox. Then a reliable tipster filled us in on where Fancast is going—specifically, in the mobile market. And we have to say, it's caught our attention. More »
5,346
By Mark WilsonComment by Enochrewt: It's still Comcast, and they've lost their priviledge of doing business with me. 2 Responses | Other threads
-
playon
PlayOn Brings Hulu and More to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Netflix Next
PlayOn, a program that allows Hulu, ESPN, YouTube and CBS streaming from a Windows PC to a PS3, Xbox 360 or HP MediaSmart TV, has just been released as a free beta to the public (well, the first 60 days are free, after that it'll cost $30). And to make things even better, the software should expand to support Netflix streaming and the Nintendo Wii within the year. Finally, that whole console becoming as complicated as a PC trend is paying off. [PlayOn via PS3Fanboy]
29,366
By Mark WilsonComment by EvaAmphidamas: Found great information on How to setup an XBOX 360 with Hulu and How to setup PS3 with Hulu using... more » | Other threads
-
vudu
Extend Expired Vudu Rentals for 99 Cents
Kind of late in the summer to announce a "summer special," but Vudu's nice extended rental feature—which gives you a weeklong window to re-rent a flick after it expires—is now just 99 cents, or $2 for an HD flick. They've also got a new channel of 99 movies you can rent for... yeah, 99 cents. [Vudu] -
porn
Huge California Porn Tax Proposal Goes Limp
Digital dowloads taxes might be breathing hot and steamy down our necks, but we apparently dodged at least one taxation bullet today: A Ron Jeremy-sized 25 percent tax on adult entertainment in California that would've extended to streamed and downloaded internet porn (you know, if you actually paid for it). More »
7,844
Comment by ryusen: I've paid for porn from time to time... in fact, i was just in this guy's district (City of Industry)... more » | Other threads
-
itunes
Get Ready for iTunes Taxes
Digital content makes a lot money—over $130 billion in sales a year—but most of that actually isn't taxed. Yet! Realizing they're leaving vast streams of green untapped, states are getting wise—nine this year have considered digital download taxes, and five of those passed them, for a total of 17 states that tax digital purchases. And don't worry, they're totally coming to a state near you, it's only a matter of time. More »
9,154
Comment by mricyfire: isnt this double taxation...you already pay taxes for the internet, now you get taxed for what you do with the... more » | Other threads
-
net neutrality
Giz Explains: How Broadband Usage Caps Will Kill Internet Video
NBC's scheduled coverage of the 2008 Olympics is absolutely breathtaking in its scope: It's broadcasting over 3,600 hours of the world's greatest athletes performing feats that reveal how shapeless and amoebic the rest of humanity is—that's 1,000 more hours than the last 12 Summer Olympics combined. The internet is a huge component of their nearly omniscient coverage. You can even download and watch full-length events. But NBC has a fat red warning on the page: If you've got metered or capped broadband, you might want to think twice before downloading. It's the first shot by major media in the next great battle for the internet's future. Here's why you—and most media companies—should be worried about the new wave of internet pricing.
More » -
vudu
Vudu Fills Gaping Hole With AVN Porn Channel
One thing you can say about the Vudu video wonderbox is that it gets better all the time. AVN—the Adult Video Network—is launching a dedicated porn channel on Vudu. While you'll have to pay for every flick you watch, there are at least two reasons it's better than the FyreTV streaming porn box that Chen loves so, so much. More »
17,078
Comment by vudufan: @mdawg4624: When Fyre is at beta phase and buggy, VUDU is a fully matured product. Vudu box just works... more » | Other threads
-
roku
Netflix's Roku Box To Expand Its Horizons, Could Stream Hulu
The already impressive Roku streaming box will expand its services beyond Netflix's VOD adding new "big name" content providers in the future. Roku is taking the coy approach for now, but rumors of a flash-enabled browser to stream Hulu (which now streams at 480p resolution), YouTube and the various individual network sites are both plausible and awesome. More »
8,922
By John HerrmanComment by rudolphdude: Roku has now been ordered just on the POSSIBILITY of Hulu content. Can't get enough of my Arrested Development! Plus... more » | Other threads
-
infinite format war
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.
More » -
vudu
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. More »
3,809
Comment by RobotVampire: I'll be using my Roku mostly on a Linksys wireless bridge (that my Tivo uses as well), but will occasional... more » | Other threads
-
vudu
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
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]
7,489
Comment by That Guy: The use of the term "fanboy" is getting old fast, especially when it used incorrectly. You are not a fanboy... more » | Other threads
-
battlemodo
Apple TV vs. Vudu vs. Xbox 360: Video Download Battlemodo
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.
More » -
hd blues
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. More » -
update
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]
2,988
By Haroon MalikComment by r0y: Gotta tell you all (full disclosure: I'm a beta user), I love the thing. The catalog isn't there yet... more » | Other threads
-
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] -
ces 2008
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: More » -
dealzmodo
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] -
digital downloads
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. More » -
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
Gizmodo Team
Tip your editors:
tips@gizmodo.com
Editorial Director:
Brian Lam | Email | Twitter
Editor:
Jason Chen
Email | AIM | Twitter
Features Editor:
Wilson Rothman
Email | Twitter
Senior Contributing Editor:
Jesus Diaz
Email | AIM | Twitter
Contributing Editors:
Mark Wilson, Reviews
Email | AIM | Twitter
Matt Buchanan
Email | AIM | Twitter
Adam Frucci
Email | Twitter
Sean Fallon
Email | Twitter
Jack Loftus
Email | Twitter
John Herrman
Email | Twitter
Dan Nosowitz
Email
Editorial Assistant:
Chris Mascari
Email
Columnist:
Brendan I. Koerner
Comment Intern::
Nick Ellenoff | Email
Comment Account Questions:
Comments@gizmodo.com
Original material is licensed under a Creative Commons License permitting non-commercial sharing with attribution.
